It's the 1940's, you've woken up, washed and now you're putting on your work uniform. You work in an underground tunnel, which was originally created for the central line trains to run through, but it's currently being used as a secret component making factory for aircrafts, it's name - Plessey.
London Transport Museum Collection
The factory started life up on street-level in Ilford, but in 1940 the building and surrounding area was struck by bombs causing severe damage, which meant they had no choice, but to seek new premises. News was circulating that the extension of the central line tube tunnels had been halted due to the war and so Plessey had a lightbulb moment. The unfinished tube tunnels were perfect, they were spacious, and most importantly hidden. Factory staff could enter and exit the tunnels via Gants Hill, Redbridge or Wanstead and this atmospheric painting by Frank Dobson shows some of the employees descending into the tunnel to start their shift.
An Escalator in an Underground Factory
By Frank Dobson
They uniformed people look happy, some looking like they're about to jump into a west end number, but I presume it felt like a blessing to have something to keep your mind occupied during this traumatic time,
You can see in Dobsons painting that the majority of workers are women, this would have certainly have been the case due to many fit and able bodied men conforming to conscription and fighting on the front-line. The work was hard and they worked in 24 hour shifts in an environment that at times would have plunged into darkness. However they must have felt that they were doing something very important, as one of their main missions was to build components for aircrafts, such as wireless receivers for aircraft bombers and fuel pumps for Rolls-Royce Merlin's that helped to power the Battle of Britain.
Within two years the station was in full working order; air conditioning was installed within the central line tunnels and a miniature train line was built, which allowed raw materials to be easily and safely ferried from one area of the factory to the other.
London Transport Museum Collection
The factory closed at the end of the WWII and the tunnels continued their original quest to complete them for the use of trains - the central line extension was completed in 1947.
Watch a video relating to Plessey here :
I came across Frank Dobson's artwork when researching for an up-coming WWII themed tour and was fascinated to read about Plessey. I also came across these other wartime paintings below - let me know what you think.
The Pool of London During the Docklands Air Raids
By Charles Pears
The Spirit of London During the Blitz
By Nettie Moon