Dudbridge Iron Works

James Dickerson Humpidge (born 1861) acquired an engineering business at Dudbridge in 1881 in partnership with his brother, Mr H Theo Humpidge and Mr G. E. Snoxell, and commenced the manufacture of the “Dudbridge” gas-engine.

In 1894 the firm purchased the business of their neighbours Messr. Holborow &Co, steam-engine manufacturers, and began trading as  trading as Humpidge, Holborow & Co.

In 1899 the company was reorganised; their steam-engine business was sold and the works were devoted to the manufacture of gas and oil engines becoming Dudbridge Iron Works. James Dickerson-Humpidge became co-managing director with Mr. H. Theo. Humpidge and Mr Tom Graves Smith.

With thanks to Humpidge family descendants
The Humpidge family home at Southfields, Woodchester, with thanks to Humpidge family descendants

In 1903 Managing Director James Dickerson Humpidge was killed

‘A FLY-WHEEL BURSTS. FITTER KILLED AND DIRECTOR INJURED. At Dudbridge Ironworks, Stroud, Saturday, a new 120-h.p. gas engine was being tried when the fly-wheel suddenly burst, and the fragments flew into hundreds of pieces. A fitter named French was killed, and Mr. J. D. Humpidge, a director of the firm and President of the Gloucestershire Engineering Society, who was watching the operations, was seriously injured about the head. The roof of the works was wrecked, and a piece of iron weighing 3cwt. pierced the roof and descended into another room, narrowly missing the men there employed.’
With thanks to https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/File:Salmson-DudbridgeIronWor…

 The widowed Mrs Humpidge later lived in Church Place, Rodborough and married the widowed Rev Watson of Rodborough Tabenacle.

1920

Mr Clarence Roberts sustained serious injury in an accident.

Stroud Journal 20.06.1920