Library Logo
Header image - Lancashire Lantern
Image of lantern
Header image - Lancashire Life and Times e-Resource Network
Lantern Home Page
  Pioneers home
  The Pioneers
Pioneers by subject:
  Architecture
  Astronomy
  Chemistry
  Food
  Geology
  Glass
  Maths & Physics
  Medicine
  Natural History
  Photography
  Textiles
Transport
  Weights and Measures

Lancashire Pioneers - Frank Whittle and Rolls-Royce

Production moves to Barnoldswick

Click the image of Frank Whittle at any time to return to his home page

The Bankfield site
The Bankfield site

Rover were initially given the contract to produce the W2 jet engine for the Gloster Meteor. 

They decided to move production to Clitheroe and Barnoldswick to escape the heavy German bombing of their Midlands headquarters. 

Bankfield Mill was chosen as the main manufacturing site in Barnoldswick.

Rover moved here to develop their top-secret war time project in 1940.

Bracewell Hall
Bracewell Hall, right, was used as offices by Rover, and later, Rolls-Royce
Ghyll Brow
The factory at Ghyll Brow was also acquired by Roll-Royce and used for testing the assembled aero engines

In 1942, Rolls-Royce took over the contract from Rover, and assumed control of the Bankfield site in 1943. 

The Meteor fighter was ready for service in 1944.

 

View the previous page

View the next page

supported by the heritage lottery fund

Copyright © 2007, Lancashire County Council

Lancashire County Council logo