Black and white photo of four employees of J & R Fleming Ltd taken during the latter part of World War II. A note on the back of the photo says: “Fred Wallin Senior on left with Bedford van outside factory during the later part of WW2 in Worcestershire – moved away from London blitz – making goggles and screens for Air Force.” The accompanying letter says that the man on Fred Wallin’s left was a driver from London; the other two men are unknown. Fred Wallin, who worked for the company for over 40 years, did not relocate to the Vale of Evesham, but visited the premises on a number of occasions as part of his responsibility for manufacturing. J & R Fleming leased part of the premises from Littleton & Badsey Growers (LBG); LBG occupied the site from 1908-2001. It is now Blackminster Business Park.
J & R Fleming Ltd, established in 1905, was a manufacturer of optical equipment, based at 146 Clerkenwell Road, London. Charles Binyon in his book, “An LGB story”, says that, during the war, “part of our premises was used by a firm producing articles for the Royal Air Force”. The company was in existence until 1985 when it went into liquidation; the registered office was then given as Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh, Hampshire.