Posted on Facebook by Robert Stidworthy – 3rd November 2024
Today 03/11/2023
Poppy Crosses were put out at Various Supermarine Locations in Southampton to Honour the “Supermarine Fallen. And at Some of the Cemeteries they were buried in.
At Peartree Green,
Hazel Road Woolston (Itchen Works),
Spitfire Court (near Woolston Works),
A Photo of one of the graves of the Supermarine Fallen included
” Peggy Moon ” (Girl in Green) Which is in St. Mary Extra Cemetery.
They were placed there by me on behalf of: –
“Spitfire Makers Charitable Trust “
” Solent Sky Museum Southampton”
” The Supermariners “
” Southampton Roundel of the Spitfire Society”
Images courtesy of Robert Stidworthy, The Spitfire Makers Charitable Trust
Posted on Facebook by Alan Matlock – 30th November 2023
Arrangements have finally, and quite suddenly, been put in place for the placing and unveiling of the Spitfire Makers plaque on the Lowther’s Garage site in Park Street Shirley. (See the previous Facebook post for September 9th)
We apologise for the short notice, but if you are interested to join us, particularly if you have family connections, there will be two opportunities to attend: on Sunday, 3rd December and Monday 4th December when a representative of the sponsors, The Hyde Group, will be there.
If you, or anyone you know, would like to know the time and other details please send a private message. Here’s a preview of the plaque…
Image courtesy of Alan Matlock – The Spitfire Makers Charitable Trust
A message from our patron Mandy Singleton –
Congratulations Alan and the team! It is fantastic to see this inspirational work continuing with such success!
Posted on Facebook by Alan Matlock – 30th November 2023
BACK TO SCHOOL
Tally ho!
We’re taking the story of Spitfire Makers to ALL the Year 6 children at Ludlow Junior School this afternoon.
They’ve already been learning about the start of WWII this term and we are aiming to add to the big picture with what was happening very locally in Southampton and all around their school in Woolston.
There’ll be a break for them to have a go at designing some Spitfires and, through pictures, poetry and song(!) they’ll find out what was happening in those dark days of 1940.
We’ll also be sharing with them the story of a Ludlow School boy, Charles George Jupe, who went on to become a skilled machinist and first aider at the Supermarine Woolston Works. After the bombing of the factory he was sent across town to work at what became the tool room and machine shop at Lowther’s Garage in Shirley.
On Sunday, two generations of Charles’ family are coming to Southampton see the plaque and the place where he and so many other Spitfire Makers helped production of the iconic fighter to continue.
The photos below are just a few from a wonderfully detailed autobiography of his whole life that they have shared. I think that’s Charles in the middle of the front row of an infants class at Ludlow School. He’s pictured with his Hercules Roadster which “could be bought for 3 pounds 18 shillings and 6 pence”. He thought nothing of a day trip to Sandbanks and back. Again it’s Charles with the accordion in the middle of the front row on a Supermarine Works Outing in 1938.
Does this remind you of anything in your family history? If you have any similar stories to share please do get in touch.
Images courtesy of the Jupe family
The Spitfire Makers Charitable Trust 