Grace's Guide To British Industrial History

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Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 167,700 pages of information and 247,103 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 147,919 pages of information and 233,587 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

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[[Image: Im1902Autocar-Onions.jpg|thumb| 1902]]
[[Image:‎1918AlldaysOnionB.jpg|thumb|1918]]
[[Image: Im19021101AC-Onions.jpg|thumb| 1902]]
‎‎[[Image:‎1918AlldaysOnionsA.jpg|thumb|1918]]
[[Image: Im1913Autocar-Alldays.jpg|thumb| 1913]]
‎‎[[Image:‎1918AlldaysOnionsC.jpg|thumb|1918]]
[[Image: Im1913Autocar-Alldays2.jpg|thumb| 1913]]
[[image:Im19191101IM-AlldaysOnions.jpg |thumb| Nov 1919. ]]
[[Image: Im19131124CyCar-Alldays.jpg|thumb| November 1913]]
[[Image:Im192001Ae-All.jpg|thumb| January 1920. Furnace for the Tool Room. ]]
[[Image: Im19131124CyCar-Alldays5.jpg|thumb| November 1913]]
[[Image:Im19200924MCT-Onions.jpg|thumb| September 1920.]]
‎‎[[Image: ‎Im19151220CCar-Alldays.jpg|thumb| 1915]]
[[Image:Im1922Env133-p659.jpg‎|thumb|1922. Cupola. ]]
‎‎[[Image: ‎1918AlldaysOnionB.jpg|thumb|1918]]
[[Image:Im20101013AM-Onions.jpg|thumb| Exhibit at [[Armley Mill Museum]]. ]]
‎‎[[Image: ‎1918AlldaysOnionsA.jpg|thumb|1918]]
[[image:Im1923EnV135-p223.jpg|thumb| 1923. Spring hammer.]]
‎‎[[Image: ‎1918AlldaysOnionsC.jpg|thumb|1918]]
[[image:Im1923EnV135-p223a.jpg|thumb| 1923. Drop hammer.]]
‎‎[[Image: Im1943EYB-Allday.jpg|thumb| 1943]]
[[Image:Im0231HVE-All.jpg|thumb| February 1931. ]]
[[Image: Im1943EYB-Alldays2.jpg|thumb| 1943]]
[[Image:Im1936MWHB-Alldays.jpg|thumb| 1936.  ]]
[[image: Im1945Benn-Onions.jpg|thumb|1945]]
[[image:ImIDH1938-AlldaysOnions.jpg |thumb| 1938. ]]
[[Image: Im194603BTJ-Alldays.jpg|thumb| 1946]]
[[image:ImIDH1938-AlldaysOnions2.jpg |thumb| 1938. ]]
‎‎[[Image: ‎Im1951Benn-Onions.jpg|thumb|1951]]
‎‎[[Image:Im1943EYB-Allday.jpg|thumb| 1943]]
[[Image:Im1943EYB-Alldays2.jpg|thumb| 1943]]
[[image:Im1943MWYB-All.jpg|thumb| 1943. ]]  
[[image:Im1945Benn-Onions.jpg|thumb|1945]]
[[Image:Im194603BTJ-Alldays.jpg|thumb| 1946]]
[[image:Im20170109RB-Summerlee1.jpg |thumb|Exhibit at the [[Summerlee Museum of Industrial Life]]. ]]
[[Image:Im1951MWYB-All.jpg|thumb| 1951. ]]
[[Image:Im1951MWYB-Alley2.jpg|thumb| 1951. ]]
‎‎[[Image:‎Im1951Benn-Onions.jpg|thumb|1951]]
[[image:Im19531128ML-Alldays.jpg|thumb| November 1953. ]]
[[image:Im20170320RB-Alldays.jpg |thumb| 1955. Centrifugal Fan.<ref>Oxford Junior Encyclopaedia.  Volume VIII.  Engineering.  Oxford University Press, 1955</ref>]]
[[Image:Im195703PWE-Alld.jpg|thumb| March 1957.]]
[[image:Im1958v206-p950cca.jpg|thumb| 1958.]]


'''Alldays and Onions''' of Birmingham was an automobile and motorcycle manufacturer from 1898 to 1918.
[[image:Im1969EnV228-19690410 p015 ALldays.jpg|thumb| 1969.]]
[[image:Im1969v229-p0828Alldays.jpg |thumb| 1969.]]
[[Image:Im20110603Chil-All1.jpg|thumb| Exhibit at [[Temple Newsham Museum]]. ]]
[[Image:Im20110603Chil-All2.jpg|thumb| Exhibit at [[Temple Newsham Museum]]. ]]


==History==
[[Image:Im120414FF-Allday1.jpg|thumb| Exhibit at [[Finch Foundry]] ]]
* 1889 '''Alldays and Onions Pneumatic Engineering Co.''' of Birmingham, was a company founded in 1889 by the merger of the long established [[Onions Co]] (dating from 1650) and [[William Allday and Co]] (dating from 1720) engineering companies. Like many such companies they turned to bicycle manufacture and sold a range under the '''Alldays''' name. The company, '''Alldays and Onions Pneumatic Engineering Co''', was registered on 18 December, to take over and extend the business of '''Alldays and Onions''', manufacturers of bellows, portable forges etc. <ref>The Stock Exchange Year Book 1908</ref>
[[Image:Im120414FF-Allday2.jpg|thumb| Exhibit at [[Finch Foundry]] ]]


==Industrial==
[[Image:Im2015Aus10-Alldays1.jpg|thumb| ]]
* 1890 Showed an exhaust blower and pneumatic hammer at the Engineers, Electricians, Builders and Ironmongers Exhibition. <ref>[[The Engineer]] of 28th March 1890 p264</ref>
[[Image:Im2015Aus10-Alldays2.jpg|thumb| ]]


* 1911 Issued catalogue on Smith's hearths with Roots blowers etc. <ref>[[The Engineer]] of 22nd December 1911 p650</ref>
[[Image:Im2015Aus19-AlldaysOnion.jpg|thumb| Bellows. ]]


* 1913-1917 For a list of the models and prices of '''Paraffin Commercial and Agricultural Motors, Tractors, Ploughs, Sprayers, etc.''' see the [[1917 Motor, Marine and Aircraft Red Book: Paraffin Motors| 1917 Red Book]]
'''Alldays and Onions''', of Great Western and Matchless Works, Small Heath, Birmingham, was a manufacturer of motor lorries, cars and vans, cycles and motorcycles, complete outfits for foundries and workshops, hammers, fans, hearthes, forges, cranes, pulley blocks, etc.


* 1913-1917 For a list of the models and prices of '''Petrol Motors''' see the [[1917 Motor, Marine and Aircraft Red Book: Petrol Motors| 1917 Red Book]]
'''See sub-sections:
* [[Alldays and Onions: Cars|Cars]]
* [[Alldays and Onions: Commercial Vehicles|Commercial Vehicles]]
* [[Alldays and Onions: Cycles|Cycles]]
* [[Alldays and Onions: Motorcycles|Motorcycles]]
* [[Alldays and Onions: Industrial Equipment|Industrial Equipment]]


* 1914 Manufacturers of all requisites for blacksmiths, engineering, foundry and railway companies; also manufacturers of cycles and motor cars. <ref>[[1914 Whitakers Red Book]]</ref>
1885 Company formed by the merger of [[William Allday and Co|William Allday and Sons]] Ltd with [[John C. Onions]] Ltd as [[Alldays and Onions]] Ltd<ref>The Times, 14 January 1916</ref>.


* 1920 May. Issued catalogue on oil-firing burners and equipment for boilers. <ref>[[The Engineer]] of 28th May 1920 p564</ref>
1889 Company reorganised as [[Alldays and Onions Pneumatic Engineering Co]]. of Birmingham. The company, '''Alldays and Onions Pneumatic Engineering Co''', was registered on 18 December, to take over and extend the business of '''Alldays and Onions''', manufacturers of bellows, portable forges etc. <ref>The Stock Exchange Year Book 1908</ref>


* 1940 Advert. Pneumatic power hammers. <ref>Mechanical World Year Book 1940. Published by Emmott and Co of Manchester. Advert p122</ref>
1896/7 Directory: Listed under cycles. <ref>[[Peck's Trades Directory of Birmingham, 1896-97: Cycles]]</ref>


* 1945 Advert. Pneumatic power hammers. (of Great Western Works, Small Heath) <ref>Mechanical World Year Book 1945. Published by Emmott and Co of Manchester. Advert p172</ref>
1898 The company produced its first car, the Traveller


* 1951 Advert. Pneumatic power hammers. (of Great Western Works, Small Heath) <ref>Mechanical World Year Book 1951. Published by Emmott and Co of Manchester. Advert p172
1900 Maker of Roots blowers, smiths' hearths, grind-stones and troughs, vices, stocks, taps, and dies, and moulders', house, and smiths' bellows.
</ref>


==Cars==
1903 Started series production of cars followed by vans.
* 1898 The company produced its first car, the ''Traveller''; however, series production did not start until 1903/4 with the 7hp model. Larger commercial vehicles of up to 5 tons were also made in the years preceding the First World War and saw service during the conflict.


* 1913 April. Advert of 'Doctor's Coupe' car. <ref>[[The Autocar]] of 5th April 1913 pXXVI</ref>
1907 Exhibited a light commercial vehicles.


* 1913-1917 For a list of the models and prices of '''Cars''' see the [[1917 Motor, Marine and Aircraft Red Book: Cars| 1917 Red Book]]
1912 '''Alldays and Onions''', which had been engaged in the general engineering trade for a long time, had more recently established separate works for car manufacture; had also acquired the [[Enfield Autocar Co]] including manufacturing rights and trade mark; manufacture of the two types of car would be kept separate; motorcycles were also built<ref>The Times, 2 October 1912</ref>.


* '''Alldays and Onions''' merged with [[Royal Enfield]], a company they had owned since 1907, and produced cars called [[Enfield-Allday]] until 1925.
WWI Munitions production


==Motorcycles==
1916 Issue of shares to fund expansion for war work<ref>The Times, 14 January 1916</ref>.
* '''Alldays and Onions''' built motorcycles from 1898 to 1915; in 1923 and 1927.


* This old and well-established firm was based in Sparkbrook, from 1903 to 1915, and then at Fallows Road, Small Heath, Birmingham, and had its roots in the seventeenth century.  During the nineteenth century they manufactured bicycles.  
c.1919 The name of the company had been shortened to '''Alldays and Onions''' Ltd.


* 1898 The company built its first powered tricycles fitted with a [[De Dion]] engine.
1920 First AGM for several years; notification of need to raise additional capital<ref>The Times, April 27, 1920</ref>


* 1901 They produced a machine with a [[Minerva]] engine and then moved on to the [[Werner]] layout.
1922 "An interesting ceremony was performed when the directors of '''Alldays and Onions''', Limited, presented an inscribed gold watch to Mr. [[Albert Williams]], in recognition of his sixty years' uninterrupted service with the company. The function took place in the large concert hall at the firm's Great Western Works, Small Heath, Birmingham, which was crowded by an assembly numbering several hundreds, which included the heads of departments and representatives of all grades. Mr. [[H. Marks]], chairman of the company, presided. The presentation was made by Mr. [[A. T. Cocking]], one of the directors, who outlined the career of the recipient. He told how [[Albert Williams]] had entered the concern at the age of eleven, in June, 1862, working under has father at 2s. 6d. a week. At that time the firm was [[John C. Onions |J. C. Onions and Co]], the establishment of which was in Bradford-street, the amalgamation with the late Mr. [[William Allday]] coming about later. During the whole of [[Albert Williams]]'s record he had been absent from work only four days, by reason of illness, and had never been late. He always walked to business, and did so still - a good mile and a half.  


* 1903 They also started making motorcycles in 1903 under the [[Alldays-Matchless]] name; these had no connection with the London based [[Matchless]] company.
Williams was, it was explained, continuing the paternal tradition, for his father -like the son, a bellows maker - was with '''J. C. Onions and Co''' for a period of between sixty·three and sixty-four years, when he retired." <ref>[[The Engineer 1922/07/07]]</ref>


* 1903 '''Alldays and Onions''' produced their own 2.25hp engine that was fitted in a cradle to the loop frame. A 3.5hp forecar was also listed.
1925 Until only recently, the company had been conducted by a receiver and manager on behalf of the former debenture holders. In 1925, it was transferred by him by a new company, and the business from August 1925 continued under the name of '''New Alldays and Onions'''. The new board consisted of Sir [[William Mitchell Cotts]] and Mr [[A. T. Cocking]].<ref>The Engineer 1925/09/04</ref>


* 1904 The motorcycles became 2.5hp.
1925 Dec - They moved their London office from Stevenage House, 40-44 High Holburn, to 9, Victoria-Street, Westminster, S.W.I.<ref>The Engineer 1925/12/04</ref>


* 1905 A 3.5hp version was produced.
1932 Largely owned by [[Mitchell Cotts|Mitchell Cotts and Co]]


* 1909 There was a new 2.5hp model.
By 1936 was part of [[Mitchell Cotts|Mitchell Cotts and Co]]<ref>The Times, 16 December 1936</ref>.


* 1911 Only the larger, belt-driven model with rigid forks was listed.  The company revised the 3.5hp model and although it was still belt driven, it now had two-speed gearing and [[Druid]] forks. This well-built machine was fairly inexpensive. Later that year the [[Alldays-Matchless]] appeared.  This had a 6hp twin engine, three-speed gearbox and all-chain drive.
1969 '''Mitchell Cotts''' combined the company with another of its subsidiaries, [[J. C. Peacock (Engineers)]] also involved in industrial fans, in a new company called '''Alldays Peacock'''<ref>The Times, Aug 27, 1969</ref>.


* 1913-1917 For a list of the models and prices see the [[1917 Motor, Marine and Aircraft Red Book: Motorcycles| 1917 Red Book]]. Listed as '''Allons'''.
1980s '''Alldays Peacock''' was acquired by the [[Spire Group]].


* 1913 A 3hp twin was added to the list.
2005 Taken over by the Witt Group


* 1914 The range was cut to the 3.5hp single, 6hp V-twin and a lightweight with a 269cc [[Villiers]] engine.


* 1915 The firm moved to Small Heath and started to produce their motorcycles under the [[Allon]] name, with two-stroke engines. The machines included a 539cc [[J. A. Prestwich Industries|JAP]] V-Twin model.


* 1915 Presumably following representations from them, the name was changed to [[Allon]]. Manufacture of these continued until 1927.
== See Also ==
 
<what-links-here/>
* World War I.  They built mostly motorcycles, returning to cars on cessation of hostilities.
 
* 1923 The '''Alldays and Onions''' name appeared again.  They listed the '''Alldays''' ''Sports'' with a 348cc sv [[J. A. Prestwich Industries|JAP]] engine, two-speed gearbox and either all-chain or chain-cum-belt transmission.  It was listed for only that year.
 
* 1927 The name reappeared once more when two models were offered, both with four-stroke engines.  They were built for one year only.
 
 
* ''Note:'' The company changed its name to [[Alldays Peacock]] which was acquired by the [[Spire Group]] in the 1980s.
 
'''Allon''' produced motorcycles from 1915 to 1926.
 
* 1915 the name was adopted by [[Alldays and Onions]] of Birmingham, when they switched to producing a single two-stroke model.  The machine was fitted with their own engine, with drip-feed lubrication.  An unusual feature was the horizontal crankcase joint and the top half in one with the cylinder.  It drove a two-speed gearbox by chain.  There was also a single-speed version with either [[Druid]] or [[Saxon]] forks.
 
* 1916 The model was available that year, but production ceased due to World War I.
 
* 1919 The machine returned to the market after the war and little had altered.
 
* 1922 The option of a three-speed gearbox was added and production continued in that form for the next few years.
 
* 1926 Production came to an end.
 
 
* ''Note:'' In 1927 only, the company returned to producing four-stroke motorcycles under the name of [[Alldays and Onions]].
 
==Buses==
 
* '''Alldays and Onions Pneumatic Engineering Co''' of Birmingham started building cars followed by vans in 1903.
 
* In 1911 trucks with a 40hp engine began production.
 
* In World War I, West Bridgford UDC situated near Nottingham bought seven '''Alldays''' chassis.
 
* The '''Alldays''' were chain driven which the war office did not favour. Each chassis cost £595.
 
* The last '''Alldays''' were sold by West Bridgford in 1921.


== Sources of Information ==
== Sources of Information ==
<references/>
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alldays_%26_Onions] Wikipedia
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alldays_%26_Onions] Wikipedia
* [http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/euro/british.htm ] CyberMotorCycles web site
* [http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/euro/british.htm ] CyberMotorCycles web site
Line 123: Line 105:
* Ian Allan - British Buses Since 1900 - Aldridge and Morris
* Ian Allan - British Buses Since 1900 - Aldridge and Morris
* [[The Engineer]] of 22nd June 1900 p650
* [[The Engineer]] of 22nd June 1900 p650
<references/>


[[Category:Cars]]
{{DEFAULTSORT: }}
[[Category:Cycles]]
[[Category: Town - Birmingham]]
[[Category:Motorcycles]]
[[Category: Cars]]
[[Category:Commercial Vehicles]]
[[Category: Commercial Vehicles]]
[[Category: Cycles]]
[[Category: Motorcycles]]
[[Category: Motorcycles - TT Races pre-WWI]]
[[Category: Heating and Ventilation]]

Latest revision as of 15:04, 26 January 2020

1918

‎‎

1918

‎‎

1918
Nov 1919.
January 1920. Furnace for the Tool Room.
September 1920.
1922. Cupola.
Exhibit at Armley Mill Museum.
1923. Spring hammer.
1923. Drop hammer.
February 1931.
1936.
1938.
1938.

‎‎

1943
1943
1943.
1945
1946
Exhibit at the Summerlee Museum of Industrial Life.
1951.
1951.

‎‎

1951
November 1953.
1955. Centrifugal Fan.[1]
March 1957.
1958.
1969.
1969.
Exhibit at Temple Newsham Museum.
Exhibit at Temple Newsham Museum.
Exhibit at Finch Foundry
Exhibit at Finch Foundry
Bellows.

Alldays and Onions, of Great Western and Matchless Works, Small Heath, Birmingham, was a manufacturer of motor lorries, cars and vans, cycles and motorcycles, complete outfits for foundries and workshops, hammers, fans, hearthes, forges, cranes, pulley blocks, etc.

See sub-sections:

1885 Company formed by the merger of William Allday and Sons Ltd with John C. Onions Ltd as Alldays and Onions Ltd[2].

1889 Company reorganised as Alldays and Onions Pneumatic Engineering Co. of Birmingham. The company, Alldays and Onions Pneumatic Engineering Co, was registered on 18 December, to take over and extend the business of Alldays and Onions, manufacturers of bellows, portable forges etc. [3]

1896/7 Directory: Listed under cycles. [4]

1898 The company produced its first car, the Traveller

1900 Maker of Roots blowers, smiths' hearths, grind-stones and troughs, vices, stocks, taps, and dies, and moulders', house, and smiths' bellows.

1903 Started series production of cars followed by vans.

1907 Exhibited a light commercial vehicles.

1912 Alldays and Onions, which had been engaged in the general engineering trade for a long time, had more recently established separate works for car manufacture; had also acquired the Enfield Autocar Co including manufacturing rights and trade mark; manufacture of the two types of car would be kept separate; motorcycles were also built[5].

WWI Munitions production

1916 Issue of shares to fund expansion for war work[6].

c.1919 The name of the company had been shortened to Alldays and Onions Ltd.

1920 First AGM for several years; notification of need to raise additional capital[7]

1922 "An interesting ceremony was performed when the directors of Alldays and Onions, Limited, presented an inscribed gold watch to Mr. Albert Williams, in recognition of his sixty years' uninterrupted service with the company. The function took place in the large concert hall at the firm's Great Western Works, Small Heath, Birmingham, which was crowded by an assembly numbering several hundreds, which included the heads of departments and representatives of all grades. Mr. H. Marks, chairman of the company, presided. The presentation was made by Mr. A. T. Cocking, one of the directors, who outlined the career of the recipient. He told how Albert Williams had entered the concern at the age of eleven, in June, 1862, working under has father at 2s. 6d. a week. At that time the firm was J. C. Onions and Co, the establishment of which was in Bradford-street, the amalgamation with the late Mr. William Allday coming about later. During the whole of Albert Williams's record he had been absent from work only four days, by reason of illness, and had never been late. He always walked to business, and did so still - a good mile and a half.

Williams was, it was explained, continuing the paternal tradition, for his father -like the son, a bellows maker - was with J. C. Onions and Co for a period of between sixty·three and sixty-four years, when he retired." [8]

1925 Until only recently, the company had been conducted by a receiver and manager on behalf of the former debenture holders. In 1925, it was transferred by him by a new company, and the business from August 1925 continued under the name of New Alldays and Onions. The new board consisted of Sir William Mitchell Cotts and Mr A. T. Cocking.[9]

1925 Dec - They moved their London office from Stevenage House, 40-44 High Holburn, to 9, Victoria-Street, Westminster, S.W.I.[10]

1932 Largely owned by Mitchell Cotts and Co

By 1936 was part of Mitchell Cotts and Co[11].

1969 Mitchell Cotts combined the company with another of its subsidiaries, J. C. Peacock (Engineers) also involved in industrial fans, in a new company called Alldays Peacock[12].

1980s Alldays Peacock was acquired by the Spire Group.

2005 Taken over by the Witt Group


See Also

Loading...

Sources of Information

  1. ↑ Oxford Junior Encyclopaedia. Volume VIII. Engineering. Oxford University Press, 1955
  2. ↑ The Times, 14 January 1916
  3. ↑ The Stock Exchange Year Book 1908
  4. ↑ Peck's Trades Directory of Birmingham, 1896-97: Cycles
  5. ↑ The Times, 2 October 1912
  6. ↑ The Times, 14 January 1916
  7. ↑ The Times, April 27, 1920
  8. ↑ The Engineer 1922/07/07
  9. ↑ The Engineer 1925/09/04
  10. ↑ The Engineer 1925/12/04
  11. ↑ The Times, 16 December 1936
  12. ↑ The Times, Aug 27, 1969
  • [1] Wikipedia
  • [2] CyberMotorCycles web site
  • The British Motorcycle Directory - Over 1,100 Marques from 1888 - by Roy Bacon and Ken Hallworth. Pub: The Crowood Press 2004 ISBN 1 86126 674 X
  • Miller’s Price Guide to Classic Motorcycles
  • Ian Allan - British Buses Since 1900 - Aldridge and Morris
  • The Engineer of 22nd June 1900 p650
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