320 – 360 Church Road
Merton, SW19

1952 OS map

According to the 1963 Borough of Mitcham List of Factories, it made cardboard boxes and was trading as The Metal Box Co. Ltd.

However a relative of one of the staff at the company in the post-WW2 period said they made printed metal trays and containers, see comment below.

This clip from Merton Memories photo of the newly built Phipps Bridge Estate in the mid 1960s shows the carton factory on the east side of Church Road.

clip from Merton Memories photo, reference Mit_​Buildings_​57-19, copyright London Borough of Merton.

News Articles

Norwood News – Friday 26 April 1929

LADDER TRAGEDY
CARPENTER FOUND AT BOTTOM.
SAD INQUEST STORY

An accidental fall at his work led to the death of Alfred Frederick Herbert Payn (41), carpenter, of Lyveden road, Tooting Junction. At the inquest on Tuesday at Mitcham, the widow, Mrs. Lilian Payn said her husband was subject to epileptic fits. He had them occasionally but invariably had a few days’ warning before hand, and stayed at home until he was better. He left home on Saturday, apparently in good health to go to his work at the Bryant Carton Works, Church-road, Mitcham.

WORKMATE’S STORY.

William Henry Drewett, of Seaton-road, Mitcham, said he was at the works on Saturday morning. He saw Payn going up a step-ladder to do a job. About three-quarters of an hour later witness heard some groaning, and found Payn lying on the floor at the bottom of the steps. He had evidently fallen down the ladder, and was holding a mallet and chisel in his hands.

Wm. Batty, the foreman, said they were building an extension to the factory. Payn was doing a bit of carpentry, and had to use a pair of steps for the purpose. Witness saw him start work that morning, and he appeared in good health. Drewett called witness’s attention to him lying un conscious at the bottom of the steps. Witness sent for the ambulance, and he was taken to Wilson Hospital.

LACERATED BRAIN.

Dr. Edith Bowie, of Streatham-road. Mitcham, said she was also on the staff of Wilson Hospital. She was there when Payn was admitted on Saturday morning. He had a bruise on the right side of the head and laceration of the brain, which had set up hemorrhage. Evidently the man had fallen on his head, for there was no other injury.

The Coroner : You could not tell whether he had a fit or not before? Dr. Bowie : No, not from what I saw.

The Coroner recorded a verdict of “Accidental death.”

Norwood News – Friday 13 August 1943

Brooker – Lord

A bride and bridegroom who first met while serving on a gun site in Scotland, with the A.T.S. and Royal Artillery respectively, were married on Saturday at Mitcham Parish Church, the Rev. G. S. Lubbock officiating.

They were Miss Eileen Joyce Lord, youngest daughter of Mrs. Lord and the late Mr. E. F. Lord, Church-road, Mitcham, and Bdr. Brian Cecil Brooker, R.A., eldest son of Mrs. Laross and the late Mr. Brooker, Chartram-road, South Norwood.

The bride was given away by Mr. T. Burnell, and looked charming in a gown of crepe, in a pastel shade of blue, with a navy hat and accessories. She carried a bouquet of pink and white carnations.

Her sister, Mrs. G. E. Button, acted as matron or honour, wearing a blue floral dress of crepe and a black hat. The bridegroom’s brother, Sgt. Victor Brooker, R.A., was best man.

A reception was held at the bride’s home. Before joining the A.T.S. she was a popular member of the staff of the Bryant Carton Manufacturing Company, where she had worked for seven years. Her late father was well known as a bus driver.

Maps are reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.