THURSDAY, 1 JA N UARY 2026 feeder factories. But the pleasing fact was that as the men ‘went to war’, many women took their places and did a resoundingly good job – in fact, 40% of the workforce at the time was female. A case in point in support of female labour was that women barrel setters in Orange were found to be more skilled than many of the men, rightly earning them an increase in wages. Movers & Shakers The early days of the Factory were crucial to its longevity. The ‘eyes of the world’ were on Lithgow to either perform or perish – the British said it was not possible to do what Pratt & Whitney proposed. But there was a handful of people who ‘went out on a limb’ to make it all happen. They were the entrepreneurs. They were the risk-takers. They were the true movers and shakers. While there were many involved, four individuals stand out. William Clarkson was associated with the factory from 1908 to 1911. It was on his recommendation that US technology was used, alienating his British masters no end. Despite some fundamental reservations, Clarkson’s technical instincts (although he was a Navy man) foresaw the benefits of the US technology in terms of production philosophies and work practices. He was proven right. John Jensen – a Cost Accountant by training, Jensen was more than just a ‘bean counter’. He was one of the longest serving senior managers and was the ‘go to man’ since his remit was extensive, covering industrial relations, employment, production planning and control, stock control and office administration. He by-passed Government procedures where he could. He took on the unions. He revolutionised work practices with resultant high productivity. He was the innovator of the Factory and made the US mass production process work for Lithgow. John Jensen was directly involved with the Factory from mid-1911 through to late 1914. But he remained close to the Factory and its operations in his various roles within the Department of Defence overseeing ordnance production. He became the Secretary of the Department of Supply and Development from1942 to 1948. Frederick Ratcliffe worked at the factory from 1909 through 1927. It was 1916 when Ratcliffe was appointed Factory Manager after serving his ‘apprenticeship’ under Clarkson. He was an Engineer who had worked at Pratt & Whitney in the US, where he specialised in planning arms factories. It was his efforts to commence non-defence work that stamped his mark on the Factory, together with his unflinching desire to overcome a dreadful housing shortage in Lithgow which had worked against the recruiting of people. On both counts, his legacy was profound. Jack Findlay was connected with the factory from 1909 to 1947. He was the Factory’s specialist (senior Foreman) on heat treatment and steel properties, a role which became ever so important as WW2 hit. His technical nous was instrumental in ensuring the stringent quality control across the SMLE 303 rifles and Bren and Vickers machine guns of both the Factory and feeder factories during WW2 when production was at its highest. He became General Manager of the Factory post WW2 and served the Factory for over 40 years. From Government owned to private ownership . After a rather lengthy period in Government control, the Office of Defence Production (capturing all Defence production facilities across Australia, including the Lithgow Factory) was corporatised under the Australian Defence Industries Pty Ltd (ADI) banner which took effect in April 1989. The decision had its Maggie Marriott's nom de guerre Page 39 of 41 Maggie Marriott
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