Mechanical: Grandad and the mechanical genius

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Fred Smith, who helped build the chassis for the first three-wheeler Morgan, on one of his inventions at Repton

Fred Smith on a motorbike he built at Repton in the 1920s

A prototype three-wheeler produced by Fred Smith at his engineering workshop at Repton School

Fred Smith was my grandfather and my late father, Frank Smith, Fred’s youngest son, used to help him in the laundry in Tanner’s Lane. Later, Fred went on to install electricity to some of the houses in Repton. My father also worked at Burnaston Airport for Derby Aviation for many years working as an electrical engineer.

I knew my grandfather had been to America but I never knew why. It was interesting to read that it was to work for the Chrysler Car Company.

I was sent the following extract from a book about Repton written by Repton resident Betty Kitching for the local history society. It provides more information about Stephenson-Peach, my grandfather and the engineering shop.

“Stephenson-Peach was born in Derby on March 10, 1852, He claimed descent from George Stephenson, the great engineer of Rocket fame.

“He received his engineering training at the Atlas Works, Derby, and at Messrs J & G Thompson’s shipyard in Glasgow.

“In 1886, he opened an engineering works in the grounds of Askew House, Askew Hill, Repton. A year later, in association with the Very Rev W M Furneaux, headmaster of Repton School, these premises also became an engineering school.

“Repton was a pioneer in teaching engineering to boys at public schools, particularly those who were not academically inclined towards the Classics.

“The headmaster, on Speech Day, would invite parents to visit the engineering workshop and see the mechanical and electrical wonders that Stephenson-Peach and the boys were producing.

“Stephenson-Peach called his works the Roller, Mower and Engineering Co Ltd. On the site were a drawing office, machine shops, engine room, blacksmith’s shop, foundry, engine test shop, pump room, gas house and gasometer.

“A later letterhead, dated 1914, reads:

“Established 1886. Goods to Repton and Willington Station, Midland Railway.

“W J Stephenson-Peach MIME, F Smith– manager. Repton Engineering Works, Repton, Burton-on-Trent.

“Specialities: Motor lawn mowers; light four-wheeled runabouts; motorcycles; gas, steam and oil engines. Bicycles made and repaired.

“Fortunately, I possess the reminiscences of two local men who worked in the Repton shop: one was Frederick Smith, who started in 1891 and in due course became the manager; the other, Harold Fletcher, who joined in 1900.

“Apparently, students attended the engineering classes not only from Repton School but also from all over Britain; there were even two from Siam.

“Charles Rolls came for tuition from Eton College and subsequently wrote to Stevenson-Peach saying that he had acquired more engineering knowledge from him than from anyone else.

“At the time Mr Fletcher entered the workshop, the variety of machines being turned out by the boys included oil, steam and gas engines, road-rollers, mowers and motorcycles, as well as dynamos and early forms of radio.

“Stephenson-Peach liked to keep in touch with his former pupils and was delighted to hear of their successes. At the turn of the century, he opened another engineering workshop, this time in conjunction with Malvern College.

“In an article in the college magazine of 1970, former pupils of Stephenson-Peach were quoted as having used such terms as ‘a mechanical genius’ and ‘astounding ingenuity and boldness of design’.

“Contemporary photographic plates had been found in the college and one Old Malvernian wrote: ‘I have some of the plates which show Stephenson-Peach did not confine his activities to electric or steam power. The plates show early air-cooled twin and single-cylinder petrol engines, and also some gas engines. A single-cylinder motorcycle is shown on one and a four-wheeled chassis on another.’

“This was a period when a wave of enthusiasm for anything mechanical on wheels was spreading rapidly and Stephenson-Peach turned his attention increasingly to the design of motor cars.

“In particular, he developed a friendship with H F S Morgan at the latter’s engineering factory in Malvern; this resulted in the production of the first Morgan three-wheeler in 1909.

“In addition to being a pioneer in spreading engineering knowledge among schoolboys at Repton and Malvern, Stephenson-Peach was keenly interested in pisciculture. He formed the Trent Fish Culture Company, of which he was managing director until his death.

“During the 1914-18 war, munitions were made in the Malvern workshop – an addition to Stephenson-Peach’s already considerable responsibilities.

“Eventually, his health broke down under the strain and he retired to Bournemouth. The last weeks of his life were spent helping disabled soldiers to earn a living in a toy-making shop there.

“He died from influenza on March 4, 1919, six days short of his 67th birthday.”

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