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Hewell Road in Redditch was home of the Royal Enfield motorcycle. In early 1914 the firm’s publicity department had strengthened a six horsepower combination chassis and replaced the sidecar with an old Maxim gun, which they took around exhibitions to represent their slogan 'Made like a gun'. It didn't go down well with everybody as the Irish Customs had impounded it on one visit as they felt it was too "lethal looking".

At the outbreak of war the display stand was taken to the Ministry of Defence who placed an order. Vickers machine guns were used on the sidecar chassis and they could be swivelled in any direction and even up to take a shot at a passing plane

Motorcycles were used by messengers to keep the front line supplied with information, ammunition and provisions, and often travelled at night without any lights. Many bikers, together with their machines, were recruited through the pages of The Motorcycle magazine.

The Enfield factory was also supplying other countries – the first order of the war came from Belgium, who ordered 50 of their 3hp bikes. Orders from France, Denmark and Russia followed.

There was a huge demand for bicycles both for the front line and at home. The Redditch Advertiser in 1914 reports that the factory was making 500 bicycles per week for the War Office - they had a 24 inch frame and 28 inch wheels, slightly upturned handlebars and clips to hold a gun.

The Redditch factory had never been as busy and many departments operated night shifts to cope with the demand. On 17 August 1915, a year after the outbreak of war, the Government declared that the Royal Enfield factories were controlled establishments and that they could only supply the war effort.

In 1956 Enfield of India started assembling Bullet motorcycles under licence from UK components, and by 1962 they were manufacturing complete bikes. Enfield of India bought the rights to use the Royal Enfield name in 1995 and production continues to this day.

Royal Enfield is now the oldest motorcycle brand in the world still in production. The Redditch factory closed in early 1967. Some of the original factory buildings are still in use.

Hewell Road, Redditch, Worcestershire B97 6BY
Photograph of an Enfield motorcycle courtesy of Anne Bradford
Narrated by Nicola Goodwin with Anne Bradford

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