October 2025

Posted on Facebook by Alan Matlock – 1st October 2025

Days of death and deliverance recalled…

The 18th and 19th Spitfire Makers plaques were unveiled on Hazel Road at the weekend.

We were joined by family members of workers who had survived and of some who had died in the bombing of the Supermarine factories on Hazel Road.

No 18 is placed next to the main entrance of Spitfire House, the Siva Group factory, and no 19 was unveiled at the entrance to the now-blocked tunnel under the railway line, where many of the casualties of the bombing were killed. Siva and Network Rail both gave their consent for the plaques to be installed.

Before each of the plaques was unveiled, Spitfire Makers chair, Alan Matlock, told moving stories of those who died and those who survived on 24th and 26th September, 85 years ago.

The Itchen Works plaque was unveiled by brothers Robert and David Stidworthy, whose grandfather died fighting a fire on the Western Esplanade on 23rd November 1940, the first weekend of what became known as the Southampton Blitz.

Robert brought along a piece of a tail section of a Mark I Spitfire, which had been made in the factory.

The plaque at the tunnel site that led to the workers’ air raid shelters was unveiled by Mervyn Jupe. Mervyn’s father, Charles George Jupe, was a 19-year-old Supermarine apprentice and first aider who attended the scene of the bombing but was told there was nothing he could do. Assisting him was Marlene Beveridge, whose mother and father survived, but a family cousin, 19-year-old Ronald Barfoot did not, and Amanda Strand – her father, Ivor Hughes survived but her grandfather John did not.

The youngest casualties were just 14 years old, and the only woman, 19 year old Peggy Moon, was killed only weeks after her 9-year-old sister, having been evacuated, had contracted meningitis and died.

Miles Newton, vicar of Pear Tree Church, spoke about the fragility and unpredictability of life before guests were invited to add forget-me-not and wild poppy seeds to what we hope will become a memorial garden on the embankment.

The plants were kindly donated by Garden Manager Paul, at B&Q Nursling. The blue and white bedding is set out in the shape of the Supermarine company flag, and variegated ivy has been planted to grow up the fencing.

Thanks also to Network Rail for agreeing to send their engineers to undertake the work of uncovering more of the previously hidden ends of the tunnel wall and to create the level and safe gravelled area in front.

We are also indebted to the Bitterne Men’s Shed Group, who have so far installed all six of our plaques east of the river. They are working on a permanent solution for displaying the tunnel plaque on a sturdy metal pole.

In time, when we have confirmed all the names of those who died as a result of the bombing on both days, we will commission a Roll of Honour, listing the casualties, to be placed at the tunnel site. Permission for this has been confirmed by Network Rail and the funding is also pledged for what will necessarily be a much larger plaque than our usual ones.

The event was a poignant one, even for those with no family connections, and epitomised the Spitfire Makers watchwords: Commemoration, Preservation and Education.

Photos: infinityphotography@hotmail.co.uk

Posted on Facebook by Alan Matlock – 3rd October 2025

As seen on TV!

Local BBC “South Today” coverage of our first Woolston unveiling event on September 20th. It went out on their evening news bulletin the next day and is no longer available to view on iPlayer. This clip has been kindly forwarded to us by the BBC South library and can be viewed on our Facebook page by clicking the link below.

(8) Facebook

Posted on Facebook by Alan Matlock – 4th October 2025

Back on the road again…

Spitfire Makers chair, Alan Matlock, is giving an updated version of his “Building Spitfires Without a Factory” talk in Romsey on Monday evening. It was going to be next year, but the Test Valley Motor Enthusiasts (tvme.org.uk) suddenly needed a speaker at short notice.

His talk tells the human story of the bombing attacks on the Supermarine factories in Southampton from the point of view of those in the buildings or watching from across the town at the time. Some of these are first-hand accounts, recorded or collected by Alan, and his talk will be illustrated with poetry, period props, sound effects and song!

He will share some of the more than 30 secret sites that are now known of, just within Southampton, and more beyond, where production was transferred to by Supermarine, and where the Trust has already placed more than 20 commemorative blue plaques. Some of these sites are in Romsey, and one is just a street away from the meeting venue!

TVME are open to visitors… “We welcome anyone into our club, even people outside of Test Valley! Our club nights are enjoyed by anyone as they are diverse and very interesting, not just limited to mechanics or cars. Individuals as well as families from all ages enjoy the talks, our runs and meetings… You don’t have to own a classic or historic vehicle – or any vehicle for that matter – just share our passion for all things mechanical. So why not come along and see us on our club nights? You would be very welcome.”

The meeting will be at 7.30pm on Monday 6th October, at the Royal British Legion, Shean House, Love Ln, Romsey SO51 8DE

Guests will have the opportunity to ask questions and to donate to the Trust.

Posted on Facebook by Alan Matlock – 11th October 2025

“The Shadow Factory” in Durley, and where could this brilliant backcloth go after the show?

Several members of the Spitfire Makers project team went to see the Bishopstoke Players stage a wonderful production of the Howard Brenton play, “The Shadow Factory”, at the Durley Memorial Hall last night.

It was a full house, and I understand that tonight’s last performance is also nearly sold out.

The Players acted out the dramatic bombing of the Supermarine Woolston Works in September 1940 and the subsequent need to disperse production to small workshops, garages and even a laundry across Southampton. Their timing and delivery added power and poignancy to what was eventually the positive and uplifting story we have been commemorating with our blue plaques.

A strong feature of the staging was the amazing backcloth, designed by director Barry Kitchen. We think it deserves to be given a suitable, permanent home somewhere. We’ve got some ideas, but have you got any suggestions?

Design and photo by The Bishopstoke Players

Posted on Facebook by Alan Matlock – 25th October 2025

Permanently placed!

A quick update on the 19th Spitfire Makers blue plaque at the site of the tunnel under the railway embankment, where so many of the casualties of the bombing on 24th September 1940 happened…

When it was unveiled last month, on 28th September (see previous post), the plaque was not in its final position.

Since then, our brilliant Bitterne Men’s Shed installation team have been busy in their workshop and today have put the plaque securely in its final position next to the left-hand tunnel wall, which was uncovered for us by the Network Rail engineers.

We’re still working on verifying the details of all the casualties for the Roll of Honour plaque which will be placed to the right-hand side of the tunnel entrance.