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Western Tinplate Works

Formerly Marsh Field Iron Works

The Western Tinplate company was formed in 1879 and took over the closed Marsh Field Iron Works (established by Richard Nevill and his partner Mr Everitt in 1863). The company had traded as an iron and tinplate works but with the introduction of the Bessemer process, manufacturing was confined to tinplate and blackplate.

One of the Western Tinplate Company’s shareholders, Josiah Timmis Smith had been the managing director of the Barrow Haematite Steel Company and later became the first Chairman of Richard Thomas & Company Limited.

Other shareholders were:

Ernest Trubshaw, Manager of the Western Tinplate Works from 1879-1910;

G B Morris, of Sketty Park, Swansea;

W H Forrester, Metal Merchant, from Swansea;

John Powell, owner of the Glanmor Foundry, and also a major shareholder in the Old Castle Works.

1887 Three new mills were added to the Western Works.

1888 The Western Works was extended.

1897 During this period the railway network throughout the country was expanding rapidly and as the demand for rails increased the large steel manufacturers gave the railway companies preference and the tinplate trade was given a much lower priority. The result was that deliveries of tinplate bar became erratic and prices spiralled. To ensure a constant inexpensive supply of tinplate bar the Western Company was one of three companies which formed the Llanelly Steel Company which started producing tinplate bar in 1897.

1929 The Llanelli Official Guide of 1929-1930 commented that the sons of the original founders of the Western Tinplate Works, R T Morris, T Byng Morris, H E Trubshaw and H Forester, were still in close touch with the company. Mr W E Phillips was the Manager who was instrumental in keeping the reputation of the works despite the vicissitudes of trade. The company regularly employed about 500.

1941 Following the lease-lend arrangements with American companies the Western Works was forced to close for a while.

1953 The Western Works finally closed.

Details from the 1891 census

Ael-y-Bryn House, Felinfoel

Ernest Trubshaw (45)' Manager Tinplate Works, born Newcastle-under-Lyne;

Lucy Trubshaw (37), born Bilston, Staffordshire;

Harold Trubshaw (7), Scholar, born Llanelly;

Lucy K Trubshaw (5), Scholar, born Llanelly;

Gwendoline Trubshaw (4), Scholar, born Llanelly;

Charles S Trubshaw (1), born Llanelly;

Clara Gwladys Andrews (20), Visitor, bornSwansea;

Charlotte Harries (24) Head Nurse/Domestic Servant, born Llansamlet;

Sarah Jones (30), Parlour Maid, born Llangerwen;

Hannah Jones (17), House Maid, born Abergwili;

Sarah M Hughes (17), Under Nurse, born Radnor.