Bonnybridge Silica and Fireclay Company (Bonnybridge Refractories) were always trying to improve the refractory brick manufacturing process. Mr Walter Smith of Braidwood patented a process involving the carbonising of clay. This involved changing the chemical makeup of the fire clay by heating it to change the iron into magnetite which could then be removed via magnets. Tests at the National Steel Foundry at Leven were observed by Walter McBryde and Fred Griffiths (of Bonnybridge Silica and Fireclay Company) and in 1928 an investment of £3000 was made in Braidwood Refractories Limited. This was later increased to £5000 to exploit this process but the process was never successful and with dwindling funds the company was dissolved in 1933.
24/11/1928 – Dundee Courier – New Scottish companies. Braidwood Refractories, Ltd., Braidwood, Lanarkshire. A private company, carry the business of makers of silica and fireclay goods and dealers in refractory and plastic materials products. Capital, £13,000 in shares.
Below – 08/02/1929 – Carluke and Lanark Gazette – Walter Smith died at Brickworks Cottage, Braidwood aged 66. He was a Yorkshire man. He came to Scotland around 1919. He carried out research and experiments in order to create a high-quality refractory product. He carried out research at St Rollox, Glasgow. He also converted part of the Nellfield Brickworks and built a small kiln there.
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06/10/1933 – Carluke and Lanark Gazette – Braidwood Refractories, Ltd – Notice is hereby given that a meeting of the shareholders has been called to consider and, if approved of, pass a resolution for the voluntary winding up of the company …
Found by Gary Fritson on the River Tees at Middlesbrough. This example is not in my possession. Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co Ltd, Bonnybridge. alt Calder Firebrick Works, Airdrie, Lanarkshire. alt Chapelhall Works, Lanarkshire. Hepworth Ceramic Holdings plc (GR-Stein Refractories Ltd. parent co) bought the Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co. Ltd in 1972, closed Bonnybridge…
Found by Ian Suddaby at This example is not in my possession. The ‘C’ of Calder is missing. Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co Ltd, Bonnybridge. alt Calder Firebrick Works, Airdrie, Lanarkshire. alt Chapelhall Works, Lanarkshire. Hepworth Ceramic Holdings plc (GR-Stein Refractories Ltd. parent co) bought the Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co. Ltd in 1972, closed…
Found by Eddie McLean in the Glasgow area. Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co Ltd, Bonnybridge. alt Calder Firebrick Works, Airdrie, Lanarkshire. alt Chapelhall Works, Lanarkshire. Hepworth Ceramic Holdings plc (GR-Stein Refractories Ltd. parent co) bought the Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co. Ltd in 1972, closed Bonnybridge works in 1973 and closed Chapelhall in 1980. Therefore…
Found by Claudio Ernesto Rios. Claudio states – The bricks were found in the City of Zárate, Buenos Aires, Argentina. In a fridge (almost totally destroyed today) the fridge’s name was Smithfield Refrigerator of English capital, built in 1903, so I would believe those bricks were manufactured in the last decade of the 19th century….
Found by Patricio Peralta in an old bakery, Lincoln, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. “Calder British Made”. Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co Ltd, Bonnybridge. alt Calder Firebrick Works, Airdrie, Lanarkshire. alt Chapelhall Works, Lanarkshire. Hepworth Ceramic Holdings plc (GR-Stein Refractories Ltd. parent co) bought the Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co. Ltd in 1972, closed Bonnybridge…
Found by Senja Salmi in Sääksjärvi, Mäntsälä, Finland. Senja states – We are not sure how old this house is but at least about 100 years old and it was built by the last blacksmith of this village. Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co Ltd, Bonnybridge. alt Calder Firebrick Works, Airdrie, Lanarkshire. alt Chapelhall Works, Lanarkshire….
Many thanks to Bruce MacDonald for the following photographs which were taken at The Sunbury Plantation House, St Philip Parish Barbados. All the bricks present were fire bricks and included English manufacturers such as Ruffors of Stourbridge, Cowen of Newcastle and Duddell of Fenton. 90% of the bricks present appear to have been stamped ‘Glenboig’….
Graces Guide Information – Mini-conglomerate, of Glasgow; interests in packaging, wine, animal feedstuffs and engineering. 1960 Norcros launched a second associated public company, Scotcros, to handle Scottish businesses. 1961 Acquired Wilkie and Paul, makers of metal tins. 1962 Acquired Thomas Bishop, maker of commercial catering equipment and other engineering products. 1971 Acquired Unit Body Developments from RTZ Pillar and BPB Industries….
Many thanks to Gustavo Coronel for the following information. This ‘Crater’ brick was found in lime kiln furnace No 5, Malagueño, Córdoba, Argentina. Gustavo states that bricks stamped ‘Etna’ were also found lining the furnace but no photograph is available as yet. Manufactured by the Etna or Atlas Brickworks, Armadale, West Lothian. . . ….
Many thanks to Chris Lowe for the following information. Chris states the bricks were found in an old fireplace on his family’s property in Oregon, USA. There may be a thumbprint to the top right. Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co Ltd, Bonnybridge. alt Calder Firebrick Works, Airdrie, Lanarkshire. alt Chapelhall Works, Lanarkshire. Hepworth Ceramic Holdings…
