Skin Factory

Great windows into the past,thanks Bermondseyboy for the film clips.I think you are right,most of the  many leather tanners in Bermondsey were just that, but the Alaska Factory made garments.My uncle Bob worked there I tried to spot him  but they employed a great number of people, we see just a few of them in the background.

Hi Bermondseyboy,

I was talking to my older brother Anthony (Ant) about the Alaska Factory, he remembers an incident during the war when Americans were loading flying jackets, outside the Alaska Factory onto their trucks.Mary Ashdowns brother (he can't rememenber his name)they lived at 41 Harold Estate,he got into one of the trucks and drove it down the road not very far,but puts a differant slant on joy rideing.Whether it was with the Yanks permishion he can't be sure,but they were very kind to the kids so it could well be.Just a little story but a nice memory.

Cheers Rod.

Sorry I screwed up,don't think I'd loged on when posting the story of the U.S airmen collecting from the Alaska Factory.Just to let you who it was from.

Rod.

Both my Great great Granmother and my Granmother worked as Fur Pullers in the Alaska Factory so it`s lovely for me to see this Video. Oh but what an awful job skinning rabbits all day!  

This film is actually of the Columbia Skin factory which was in Bermondsey Street. My Aunt Esther Tree (nee Webster) and Great Aunt Mag Harris (nee Percival) are both in the film and it was great to see them - looking quite glamorous considering their jobs! Most of my family worked there - my Dad Charlie Webster, his brothers Tom and Ronnie and my Nan, Sophie Webster (nee Percival). The Columbia moved to Cornwall in the late 60's and there is a large Bermondsey contingent still there today!

Hi Toriwebster
 
Thanks for information on the Skin Factory. (Columbia Skin Factory)
I was wondering if you had any more Info. or Photographs of the outside of the Factory?
I dont seem to be able to find any reference to this Factory at all.
Perhaps some of our other Members could throw some light on this?
 
Bermondseyboy
Steve