Alright history buffs assemble before Morris Cowley. What if I told you this area helped win World War II?
Morris Cowley’s story starts long before it became a railway site. William Morris began repairing bicycles in Oxford as a 16 year old in 1893. Later he built bicycles and then motor-bicycles. By 1912, he was manufacturing cars.
During World War I, Morris turned his car factory in Cowley over to armaments. When peace returned, the factory resumed making cars. Morris Motors experienced great success. William Morris became Lord Nuffield. His company, the Nuffield Organization, was Europe’s largest car manufacturer. The Cowley factory was greatly expanded. It introduced world-leading production techniques.
As Lord Nuffield grew concerned about Nazi Germany he started developing tanks and aircraft engines in the late 1930s. With the outbreak of war, the Cowley factory again manufactured armaments and military equipment. This included torpedoes, mines, army trucks and tanks. The factory also made aircraft components for Lancaster bombers and Horsa gliders. Morris Radiators in North Oxford made radiators for fighter planes and bombers. They also produced millions of helmets and field canteens.
In 1940, Morris Motors was subcontracted to produce complete Tiger Moth airplanes at Cowley. These planes were used by the RAF for maritime reconnaissance and pilot training. Critically, the Cowley factory repaired aircraft. Restoring damaged aircraft was vital given the chronic shortage and it cost a third of a new plane.
The government created the Civilian Repair Organisation (CRO). Nuffield initially headed the CRO which supervised repairs in 1500 factories. The Cowley factory specialized in repairing Hurricane and Spitfire fighter planes. It also repaired trainers like Tiger Moths. During the Battle of Britain in 1940, the Cowley Unit returned 150 planes to service. Cowley Airfield was built next to the factory in 1939-40. Damaged planes were flown in for quick repairs. They were then returned to battle. The airfield was also used to fly new Tiger Moths to training airfields.
Cowley was also the base of a civilian salvage group. They collected and transported damaged aircraft to firms in the CRO network. The unit handled some 12000 aircraft during the war. Badly damaged aircraft were cannibalized for parts and raw materials. The ‘Cowley Dump’ spread over 100 acres. It was piled three meters high. Twisted metal was laid out along eight miles of roads. Paul Nash immortalized the scene in his painting “Totes Meer” showing damaged German planes. Thousands of tons of aluminum and other materials were reclaimed and reused.
The number of employees at Cowley doubled to over 10000 by the end of the war. Most of these new workers were women. The Morris Motors Factory at Cowley played an essential role in the war effort. Fortunately, it never suffered bomb damage. The Nuffield Organisation’s production methods ensured the factory was among the world’s most efficient. Equipment produced here was used in all theatres of the war.
From humble beginnings to wartime hero Morris Cowley stands as a testament to innovation. It also proves the power of industry in times of crisis. This unassuming railway site whispers tales of wartime innovation and resilience.