Aircraft Fitter 1942 Maidenhead

[Flakdodger]

Hi Abiam,
I've emigrated away from the London area, otherwise I would have been delighted to have done the look-up for you.
If you go to http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/foi/research.htm
you will see their research service - with the option of using an independent researcher.
I've thought about your original query about qualifications.
Please don't rely on this as gospel, but I think at that time an applicant could be taken on (and maybe trained) without qualifications. Or maybe Dad had studied welding, metalworking or woodworking at a local Polytechnic. Food for thought.
Dave

[IMBER]

I think workers often had to travel quite a distance if they were engaged on war work.  However, I had forgotten that R Malcolm were based at Waltham during WW2 and would have employed aircraft fitters.  After the war they became ML Aviation and my father was an aircraft fitter with them. There is a history of the company published about three years ago.  Take a look on Amazon under ML Aviation.  I think the author was Carter, but not sure.

[Flakdodger]

Hi Imber,
ah yes.....ML Aviation. I think a cousin worked for them in the 1970/80s.
The book you seek is:
ML Aviation Ltd  A Secret World   Graham Carter  Keyham Books 2006   095277156X  £15.00
If you want to contact me off list I can offer you a supplier.
This company was reputed to be involved in the dark world of secret research (weapons cases for Blue Steel and the like), looks like I'd better get my own copy before it passes me by!
Dave

[Abiam2]

That sounds very useful Imber thank you, I shall investigate.  I, now, also remember ML Aviation!  Should have remembered earlier.
Thanks again will let you know if I get anywhere,
Regards,
Abiam

[IMBER]

Yes, my dad used to away to all sorts of strange places such as Boscombe Down, various establishments in Gloucestershire/Worcestershire, Glen Fruin, etc.  I was quite young when he first worked there and when I asked what he was doing he said he was "firing guns at the communists".  Very 1950s! I believed every word, but as he always brought back fancy toffee I didn't care much.  My Mum worked at ML later and some of MLs finest materials went into ensuring I was the only paper boy in Maidenhead with a fantoosh crossbar suspended paper bag.

[Abiam2]

Does your wife go to the annual reunions?  I know 3 women who go every year!