Aircraft built in city furniture factory

The Rev Philip Mason, of Ditcham Park, near Petersfield, tells me he started his apprenticeship with White & Newton’s furniture factory in January 1946 after leaving St Luke’s School, Southsea, in December 1945.

The firm had been established in 1922 and Mr Rook, the managing director, gave a £5 note to all men who joined the colours in 1939.

It was at this time the factory was converted to produce aircraft parts. Some were stored in a large garage in Grove Road North, Southsea.

Philip lived in Smith’s View a few yards from the garage and on August 24, 1940, Grove Road North was bombed and even then, he wondered if the garage was being targeted.

In 1947, Philip attended a 25th anniversary dinner held at the factory. The menu was stencilled on thin plywood which had been used for the fuselages of the Mosquito aircraft.

The name of White & Newton was held in high esteem in the furniture business, but the factory closed in 1980 with the loss of many jobs. Houses were later built on the site.