W. Thornley & Sons Ltd records, 1908-1946, with unpublished manuscript by Cassie Thornley, 2010-2016

MLMSS 9888

fonds

1908-2016

Textual Records, Graphic Materials

1001825

0.33 metres of textual material (2 boxes) includes some photographs

The engineering company W. Thornley & Sons was established by William Thornley and his son Thomas in Bolton Street, Sydenham, Sydney, in 1908. The 1.2 hectare site was originally known as the Sydenham Ironworks, and included a rail siding from the main line. The factory’s products included railway and tramway points, crossings and switches and wooden water pipes. After William’s death in 1911, Thomas took over the business with his brothers Alfred and Frederick.
Cassie Thornley is the granddaughter of Thomas Thornley.

Reference:
Compiled from the collection

BOX 1

Letter book with alphabetical index, 28 October 1908-29 September 1918. Contains copies of letters sent, including some regarding injuries to employees

Letter book with alphabetical index, 3 March 1914-13 March 1917. Contains copies of invoices


BOX 2

Minute book of meetings of the board of directors and general meetings, 3 December 1920-13 May 1937

Ledger of shop orders, 27 January 1909-10 May 1913

Ledger of financial transactions and company assets, 1923-1946. The ledger is lockable, and the key has been placed in the folder containing family history excerpts

Photograph album, ca. 1915. Contains 18 black & white photographs relating to tests carried out at Tocumwal, New South Wales, of a switching system for transferring rolling stock between the different rail gauges of New South Wales and Victoria. The full-size working model was built by W. Thornley & Sons. List of photographs inside front cover:
1. Mixed Gauge at Wodonga Trucking Yard
2. Mixed Gauge appliances at W. Thornley & Sons
3. Mixed Gauge appliances at W. Thornley & Sons
4. Tocumwal Railway Station
5. Tocumwal from Balcony of Donkin’s Hotel.
Tocumwal Tests, 24 Sept. 1915
6. Diamond Crossing
7. Change of Commission Rail Device
8, 9, 10, 11. Brennan Switches signalled and interlocked
12. New South Wales Commission
13. Mixed gauge Crossover Road
14. 5’3” Turnout
15. Victorian DD Engine
16. Hon. H.C. Hoyle and Party
17. New South Wales Engine
18. Combined Turntable
19. Donkin’s Terminus Hotel (no photograph)

Folder containing excerpts from a family history written by Cassie Thornley relating to the formation and subsequent development of W. Thornley & Sons, 2010-2016. The key for the lockable ledger is also contained in this folder

Copyright restrictions may apply: Photographs in this collection are all out of copyright. Manuscripts are in copyright.
Approval for reproduction required: From copyright owner (applies to manuscripts)
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales