A red Wheel unveiling will take place at 2:30 pm on Friday September 8th, 2023, at Marshalls Yard, Beaumont St., Gainsborough, Lincs., DN21 2NA. The unveiling will be led by Sir Edward Leigh, MP for the West Lindsey constituency.
The Britannia Works of Marshall & Sons was established in 1848, and went on to become a major manufacturer and world exporter of agricultural equipment and steam engines. During both World Wars however, the Company turned its hand to the manufacture of aircraft, tanks and midget submarines. A plaque by the Submariners Association already exists recording the building of X24 HMS Expeditious here in 1943, as well as one by the Marshall Club recording the Company’s 175th Anniversary this year. The heritage sites entry on the NTT website gives a detailed history.
The site was redeveloped in recent years and is now a popular retail park, but many of the former Works buildings have been adapted for new use, and the Red Wheel will be placed at the entrance to the Wilko store, which occupies part of the building known as the Engine House. Inside the shop are many enlarged photos of the Works in its heyday, likewise other photographs are to be found in the original office building, accessed from the retail car park, but which fronts Beaumont St., where the original Britannia statue is still to be seen.