Object of the Fortnight

Humber-Hillman Apprentices 1953

This fantastic image features the new intake of apprentices taken on by the Humber-Hillman Company in 1953.

As individual companies, Humber began in Coventry in 1887 as cycle manufacturers, yet began to make motorised transport in Coventry as early as 1895. After a series of occupied central factories, in 1908 the company built a new state of the art factory at Pinley, Coventry which became known as Humber Road.

Regarding the Hillman Company, William Hillman had worked at the Coventry Machinists Company when they first commenced the manufacture of velocipedes in late 1868. By the early 1870s he had teamed up with James Starley where they designed and marketed their ‘Ariel’ bicycle, and in 1875 he formed a partnership with William Herbert as Hillman & Herbert – cycle manufacturers. Apart from making a Hillman motor-bicycle in 1902, in 1907 he formed a company along with Harold Smith and Louis Coatalen as Hillman-Coatalen Ltd. They built a factory in the grounds of Harold Smith’s house – ‘Pinley House’ – which was positioned just south of the Humber works.

As separate motor companies for many years, in 1928 the companies merged as Hillman-Humber Ltd., and in 1933 they became part of the Rootes Group.

By the time this photograph was taken, these fresh-faced young men would join the company while they were producing Hillman Minx models, a very popular family car of its time, and also Humber Hawks, Humber Pullmans and Humber Super Snipes.

Do you recognise any of the apprentices?  If you know anything about any of the young men in the photograph we would love to hear about them – let us know using the comments box below.