Category: WHAEA

The WHAEA Newsletter is published in April and October each year.

The latest Newsletter No. 16 was published on the 31 October 2025 and features articles old and new as well as the regular updates on what is happening with WHAEA, New Members, etc. together with a few old WHA pictures. Sadly, there are also several deaths to report.https://www.whaea.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Magazines/WHAEA-Documents-2018-to-present/WH

View the latest Newsletter

The articles in the issue cover the following topics:

• • Steam Turbine Generator Request for History
  • The WHA Documents at Bedfordshire Archives
  • Longfords Mill, Gloucestershire
  • One Part of the Belliss & Morcom Story
  • The Story of Allen Park
  • Pershore & Allen Gears Memories
  • WHAEA New Members
  • WHA Heritage Update
  • The History of the WHAEA AGM
  • The Bedfordshire Local History Association (BLHA)
  • WHAEA AGM 2025 – Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes
  • Letters/emails

We hope you find this issue of interest and if you have any comments or feedback on the newsletter or suggestions or news for the next one, then please feel free to get in touch. Our thanks to everyone who contributed to the newsletter.

To receive all future newsletters and see all previous issues, simply become a member or guest member.

 

The Allen 4S12 Marine Diesel Genset model was set in a ship’s engine room layout, in a glass display cabinet. 

The model was made in 1960/61 and first appeared at the Indian Industries Fair which was held in New Delhi November 1961. A scan from the Allen Magazine No 53, the black and white photos show the model in build.

Having been in storage for some years the model and case deteriorated. During 2023 the model was fully restored and repainted by WHAEA Heritage Officer Phil Mann. Complete with a new case, the model is now located in the offices of Allen Diesels in Bedford.

Further details and pictures of the restoration at Allen 4S12 Genset Model

The WHAEA Photo Gallery continues to grow. The collection now includes over 6400 images of W. H. Allen history.

The Photo Gallery has a full listing of all images that can be quickly searched to find pictures of interest.

The gallery can also be browsed via a simple structure that is divided into the following groupings:

PEOPLE – The Allen Family, Employees & Group Photos.

PLACES – Allen Installations such as Industrial, Marine, Oil & Gas, Pumping Stations, Power Station, Textile Mills, Railways & Heritage Museums.

PRODUCTS – Images of W. H. Allen Aero Engines, Steam Engines, Diesel Engines, Gear & Gearing, Steam Turbines, Gas Turbines, Electrical Equipment and WHA Mementos.

SOCIAL – Pictures of Social Events, Recreation Activities, Sports, The Bedford Allen Club and more.

TRAINING – A collection related to WHA Training including Apprentice Intakes,  Indentures, The Training Models, Test Pieces, Tools, Pedal Car Races and the Training Centres.

TRANSPORT – A few images of how W. H. Allen products were transported around the world.

SITES – Pictures of W. H. Allen sites such as Atlas Works, Biddenham Works, Crossley Works, Gwynnes Works, Kuala Lumpar, Queens Engineering Works Bedford and York Street Works London.

WHAEA – W. H. Allen Engineering Association images of AGMs, Visits & Reunions.

Just select “Join Us” to become a member and get access to the Photo Gallery. Note guest membership is available to everyone!

 

A new search capability has been made available for the Document Archive. This will search within all 1000 .pdf files and 4000 image files to quickly identify people, places or products within the archives.

This search capability is available to WHAEA or Guest members. Why not become a member and find the documents and/or pictures that feature people, places or products asocciated with from W H Allen, Sons & Co Ltd.

Just select “Join Us” to become a member. Note guest membership is available to everyone!

 

The WHAEA Document Archive  is available for Members to view and Search. With almost 1000 magazines and publications available they record the history of W. H. Allen Sons & Co. Ltd. from its early days in London 1880 through to work in Bedford from 1894 to 2001 together with WHAEA documents of recent years.

Some of the magazines have details of many of the past employees and their families, such as the Allen Magazine & The Queens Engineering Works Magazine.

Just become a Member or Guest Member to access the archives. See the “Join WHAEA” page.

The documents are categorised into relevant groups of magazines which are described in the archives. Once registered as a member, just select the Members menu and the archives and search options will be available.

Documents may be downloaded and used for research and education purposes but any publishing or reference to material should credit:

The W H Allen Engineering Association.

A WHAEA Photo Gallery with almost 4000 photos of the company, it’s people and products is also available to WHAEA members.