The collection of images in this book portray the presence of
Rolls-Royce in Crewe from the heady days just prior to the Second World
War. It was decided then that a factory to manufacture desperately
needed Merlin aero engines to power Spitfires and Hurricanes in the
defence of these islands would be erected in the town. Images of both
production and destruction chart the progress of the struggle with
fascism until peace was won, allowing normal life to begin again. It was
then that RR made the decision to turn the Pym's Lane factory away from
armaments and concentrate all car production in the town, so the rest of
the images show the many differing marques of the cars that bore the
iconic RR logo along with the winged 'B' of the various Bentley models
that were manufactured in south Cheshire. Many of the photographs that
illustrate the production methods and machines in this volume have not
been available to the general public, making it an interesting and
informative read. The book closes with a long chapter concerned with the
people and activities associated with the proud history of Bentley and
Rolls-Royce in Crewe until the sad day when the marques divided leaving
Bentley as the sole yet worthy owner of the Pym's Lane factory.
