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G. Bramall & Co (Bramac) - Staff Photograph

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Description: Staff from G. Bramall & Co, manufacturers of waterproof clothing, including 'Bramac' rainwear. The company manufactured school uniform raincoats for nearly fifty years before closing in August 1981. Eleven employees, many of whom had worked for the company for a number of years, lost their jobs (See Manawatū Evening Standard 31 July 1981).

This image is believed to have been taken in 1945, and shows a number of women who worked in the factory during the second world war. Identified: back row, fifth from right Elizabeth Mary (Betty) Mason nee Cade, aged 18, and front row fifth from left, her sister Nancy Mackay nee Cade. The gentleman in the back row in a beret may be Bramac Manager Mr. de Burger and the man at right in the front row is believed to have operated the stream press for all the garments.

Former employee Betty Mason wrote a list of colleagues many years after her employment, some of whom may appear in this photograph. Some people may be named by subsequent maried names and others by their maiden names. "Pat Connelly, Louise Killington (a long time friend and neighbour of Betty's), June Woolan (possibly Woollen), Merle Woolan, Rona Kitching, Jean Schwamm, Clarice Parlane, Bobbie Whittingham, June Rogers, Joan Smith, Thelma Scott, Edna Griffiths, Melva (no surname given), Joyce Marshall, Pat Jensen, Doreen Marrow, Myrtle De Vantier, Fay Norris, Barbara Kreft, Joan Duckworth, (forename not given) Stempson (possible Stimpson), Vera (Knight) Read, Thelma Hill, Lily Christiansen, Ada Pike, Alice Hankey, Dorothy Griffin, Lorna Pedersen, Maria Theoharidis."

Research conducted by Robyn Mason and kindly shared with Manawatū Heritage in 2022.