Rushden Research Group: CWS Factory intro page

C.W.S. Shoe Factory

Portland Road


Cricket Shoes : Northants fast bowler Frank "Typhoon" Tyson visiting the factory c1956

Shoe Factory
New Factory Opens 1901	Office girls 1930s
Mr Ephraim Nichols - obituary	Aerial View 1950
Boiler arrives 1909	Gallery
Accident 1909	Magazine "Ourselves"
C W S Cycling	Office Staff 1952
Office Staff 1910 & 1920	Long Services
Men serving in WWI	News & Notes
Lasting Room WWI	CWS Football
Employees Supper 1915	CWS Cricket Teams
The Company 1916	Inside the factory c1970
Office and Factory 1923	Caleb Ward - supervisor
Mr Wm Durham - obituary	H Packwood - mechanic
Jubilee	Demolition 1987

Extract from a Military Tribunal in May 1918

Wm. Durham, 39, married, secretary and cashier to the C.W.S. was given six months exemption. As a Special Constable the V.T.C. condition was not imposed.

Factory Fire Brigade

The Factory Fire Brigade

Fire 1922

Fire Team 1927

Fire Practice 1930s

Fire Team 1940

Brigades Competition Shield

Fire Team - 1950s


	No 34 - we believe this may have been a garage for company cars of the CWS Boot Factory Please can you help with more information?

The new offices being built in 1920.

W Wood, carpenter, is standing left of the corner post above the gateway, long before any 'Health & Safety' regulations!

Rushden Echo, 17th December 1920

Accident - Mr. W. Sharpe, of Higham-road, whilst at work on the C.W.S. new buildings, Rectory-road, was moving a big stone slab when it slipped from his grasp and fell on to his leg. The stone was quickly removed and Mr. J. Burt rendered first aid. Mr. Sharpe was taken to Dr. Owen's surgery and an examination proved that the injuries were confined to cuts and bruises.

Trademark of the CWS Boot Company

Rushden Echo, 27th November 1908

C.W.S. The Co-operative Wholesale Society have taken the factory in Victoria-road, recently vacated by Messrs. Knight and Brightwell, and will use it as a stock-room until the extensions at the Portland-road factory are completed.