Following on from Philip Moore’s photograph of the Motor Cylinder Department at Crosthwaites in the 1920s, is this ragged article showing that by 1966 Crosthwaites was closing down and the teams moving to the Bon Lea Foundry including 8 women to join the 25 woman already there. The Bon Lea would survive only another 10 years or so. The main photograph shows Margaret Armstrong. Kathy Wrightson a co worker was only 17. I wonder if any Bon Lea workers are still with us? I am researching Thornaby foundries for the Thornaby Lives project and would love to hear from them.
Image and details courtesy of Derek Smith.
Picture Stockton Archive 
Does anybody know who owned the Bon Lea Foundry established in 1848
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Hi Stuart, there may have been several over the years, but here’s two of them:
https://gracesguide.co.uk/Thomas_Allan_and_Sons
https://gracesguide.co.uk/Allan_Ure_and_Co
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While researching my family history I found mention of a Donald M. Robertson , who was assistant works manager at Bonlea Foundry . I do not know when he commenced his employment there .
However he left in 1939 when he accepted an appointment as foundry works manager at the Thorncliffe works of Messrs Newton Chambers and Co., Sheffield.
He was a Scot and he had previously worked at foundries in Falkirk , Stirlingshire , Scotland before going to Bonlea Foundry.
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My mum worked in ten payroll office at Thomas Allen up until 1959 and is still around if you want to talk to her
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My Grandfather worked as a moulder in a foundry in Thornaby. George Edward Smales was his name (b 1865–1930). I Would like to know which Foundry .
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My Father John Denis (Jack) Moore worked at this foundry before and after the war during the war he served with the Royal Navy
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Was John Denis Moore’s mother Mary Moore nee Meard?
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My father [Roger Lee Hymer b.1918 d.1989] was molder in a Thornaby foundry before joining the 4th Green Howards Regiment in 1939.
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My Father John Denis Moore worked at Crosthwaites before and after the war. He joined the royal navy during the war.
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