THESE hardy menfolk forged chain at Cradley Heath around a century ago, in one of the town’s many chainmaking works — but we are unable to identify which one.
Chainmakers a century ago
Perhaps a reader will recognise a father or grandfather, and the location? These hard toiling, strong-inthe- arm chainmakers required plenty of sustenance to replenish their energy supplies — hence the presence of the young lads in this gathering.
They would have been on ‘dinner- teckin’ duties. One holds a wicker basket and another a bottle — no doubt of the ‘hard stuff’.
Note also the canine, taking centre stage — Cradley Heath chainmakers of old were rarely to be seen without a faithful whippet or bull terrier at their side.
