Darlaston South
Darlaston South is a ward within the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall and is located within Darlaston, an industrial town in the West Midlands of England. It is located near Bilston, Walsall, Wednesbury, Willenhall and Tipton. It was historically part of Staffordshire.
Darlaston South has the largest ward population with a density of 4,809 people per square kilometer. This is slightly above the borough average of 3,159.[1]
History
World War II
On 5 June 1941, a German bomber targeting the Rubery Owen factory dropped a bomb that fell short of its intended target.[2] The bomb struck Lowe Avenue in Darlaston, badly damaging five houses and causing lesser damage to several others.[2] Eleven people were killed in the incident. Within a few weeks, most visible traces of the bombing had been removed, as the council carried out rapid repairs to the damaged houses.[2]
In this incident, the casualties were as follows:[2]
| Road | House Number | Name | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowe Avenue | 34 | Henry John Mumford | 44 |
| 34 | Emily Mumford | 44 | |
| 36 | Ellen Mills | 60 | |
| 38 | John Woodward | 26 | |
| 38 | Mary Woodward | 25 | |
| 40 | Ethel Cross | 41 | |
| 40 | Elsie May Prestidge | 23 | |
| 40 | Malcolm Thomas Prestidge | 4 months | |
| 42 | Richard Perrins | 47 | |
| 42 | Henry Perrins | 15 | |
| 42 | Frank Perrins | 12 |
Rubery Owen
Rubery Owen was a major British engineering and manufacturing company founded in 1884 by John and Edwin Rubery and later joined by Alfred Owen.[3] Originally established as a wrought ironworks and fencing business in the Black Country, the company expanded rapidly during the twentieth century into steel production, automotive components, construction engineering, and industrial manufacturing.[4]
Rubery Owen became one of the largest industrial firms in Britain and played a significant role in the development of the UK motor industry.[5] The company manufactured pressed steel wheels, chassis components, suspension systems, and structural steelwork for a range of British vehicle manufacturers. It was also involved in major infrastructure and construction projects, producing steel frames and engineering products used across the United Kingdom and overseas.
In 1951, A. G. B. Owen set up the Owen Organisation so that a clear distinction could be made between the Owen Family's ownership of Rubery, Owen & Company Limited and their other investments.[6] At this time, the company employed over 12,000 people.
In 1956, there was estimated to be around 6,000 employees at the Darlaston site. [6] By 1964, this increased to 6,500 employees. The firm took over Old Park Works on Kings Hill, rebranding to become Rubery Owen Kings Hill Works.[6]
References
- ↑ "Ward Profiles". Walsall Insight. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "A Brief History of Darlaston". www.historywebsite.co.uk. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
- ↑ "Rubery and Co - Graces Guide". www.gracesguide.co.uk. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
- ↑ "Rubery, Owen and Co - Graces Guide". www.gracesguide.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
- ↑ "Rubery, Owen and Co - Graces Guide". www.gracesguide.co.uk. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 "A Brief History of Darlaston". historywebsite.co.uk. Retrieved 18 May 2026.