John Readhead & Sons - Introduction
John Readhead & Sons - History
John Readhead and Sons - the People
Readhead's Ships
Readheads Ships, including photos
The Technical Offices & Head Office
The Engine Works & Drawing Office
Readhead's Timeline
Local Memories
The Steel Trades
The Outfitting Trades
Other trades
Royal Visits
More photo's
Newspaper & website publicity
The West Docks
The Readhead Family Tree
Readhead's Customers
Local Pubs, social scene, sports, Ashley House & Woodies sho
The Readhead Shipping Line
Readhead's Launch Photos
Photos
Photos 2
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
UNDER CONSTRUCTION 2
UNDER CONSTRUCTION 3
UNDER CONSTRUCTION 4
UNDER CONSTRUCTION 5
Message Board
Guestbook
Mail Form
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King George V visit to the yard in 1917
 | King George V being shown Readhead's Yard from the river - 1917. |
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Royal Presentation book
 | | First page of Royal Presentation book for the April 16th 1920 visit by H.R.H.Prince Albert. |
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Royal Visit 16th April 1920
 | | Prince Albert arriving outside Readhead's Head Office 16th April 1920. |
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Royal Visit 16th April 1920
 | | The Royal party stop for a photograph under the hull of Hain's 80th Readhead built ship - 1920. |
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Royal Visit 16th April 1920
 | | Royal visit presentation group by the forge hammer. |
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Royal Visit 16th April 1920
 | | Royal Tour of the drydocks. |
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Royal Visit 16th April 1920
 | | Royal walkabout in Readhead's shipyard. |
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Royal visit 7th April 1943
 | Their Majesties arrival at West Docks.
From left to right;-
H M Coatsworth; Lady Readhead; G H R Towers; Sir Summers Hunter; Sir Arthur Lambert; H M the KING and H M the Queen.
Thanks to Rodney Towers for the photos of the
Visit of HM King George 6th and HM Queen Elizabeth to Readhead's Shipyard on April 7th 1943
Rodney says he was told that because of wartime security, the request to management to make arrangements was only received the day before, and the news of the 2 pm visit was only given to the workforce just before the lunch hour on the day of the event. Many of the men volunteered to give up their lunch hour to help clear pathways, whilst platers and painters swiftly turned to and made up the welcome sign on a ships plate - see photo.
The photo of the King talking to a woman welder is interesting because as you may know, welding was the new construction technology at the time enabling faster ship production. During the war it became necessary and, more importantly, possible to train women as welders and have them engage in production work after only 14 days! The King was curious about how the women were getting on with this new process.
A consequence of this in UK was that after the war, and as welding reverted to an all male trade, the issue of welding being accepted as a skilled trade requiring a 5 year apprenticeship was a problem for both the traditional shipbuilding skilled trades and shipbuilding management to come to terms with but for obviously different reasons. |
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Royal visit 7th April 1943
 | Their Majesties commence their tour of the works.
Left to right;-
Sir Arthur Lambert; H M the King; G H R Towers; A H Becke; H M the Queen; H M Coatsworth and D Grier. |
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Royal visit 7th April 1943
 | | Welcomed by the employees |
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Royal visit 7th April 1943
 | | The King chats with a female employee |
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Royal visit 7th April 1943
 | | Visiting No. 1 Dock. |
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Royal visit 7th April 1943
 | | H.M. the Queen talks with female employees |
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Royal visit 7th April 1943
 | | H M the Queen acknowledges loyal farewell cheers. |
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Royal visit 7th April 1943
 | | Their Majesties complete the tour of the works. |
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Royal visit 7th April 1943
 | | Their Majesties bid farewell. |
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Royal visit 7th April 1943
 | | Thank you document 12/4/1943. |
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Royal visit 7th April 1943
 | | Souvenir Booklet for the Official visit. |
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