Wickham & Norris Ltd 

Timber Importers & Sawmillers

Temple Gate was the original site of the timber business founded by Jesse Heaven, who was joined in partnership by F. W. Wickham. Later the business title changed to Wickham & Fry; and in 1865 to Wickham & Norris. In 1872 a 'new-fangled' steam saw mill was installed; and in 1887 came the first drying kiln in the Bristol Channel area, erected to season timber by scientific means for the fashionable use of block flooring. In 1905 the business moved to the water-side at Wapping Dock, installing electricity for their new mill, again the first in the district. In 1924 extensions were made nearby, and in 1926 the company acquired Jonathan Hill & Co., the old established firm of Hardwood Merchants. In both World Wars the company was engaged almost entirely on work for the Admiralty and Ministry of Supply.