Reid and Sigrist in Desford & Braunstone

[Thooperfly]

I was wondering if anyone has any ideas how I could find out about who worked for Reid and Sigrist, especially during WW2. I suspect my Grandad Raymond Nelson worked for them, but I have no way of knowing.
During hostilities I know he was also in the local Home Guard as well, I suspect in Enderby.

It was always said in the family that he was based at Braunstone aerodrome during WW2. But that is all I know.

Reid and Sigrist not only produced a handful of aircraft, but they also made aircraft instruments. As well as running the training school at Desford during the war. My Grandad could have been involved in the radio equipment installed into aircraft (he was a radio ham postwar and on his death certificate in 1967 he was listed as having been an Aircraft Radio Installation Foreman).

Any ideas?

Thanks so much in advance,

John.

[chempat]

Google search gives this:

http://www.leicestershirevillages.com/uploads/thehistoryofdesfordaerodrome.pdf

The speaker has written several books.

keep on trying internet searches.

[Thooperfly]

Google search gives this:

http://www.leicestershirevillages.com/uploads/thehistoryofdesfordaerodrome.pdf

The speaker has written several books.

keep on trying internet searches.

Many thanks for that - interesting reading.

Am also looking at connections with Bitteswell and Power Jets. My Grandad lived in prefabs in Glen Parva at the end of the war or just after the war (I'm guessing) near Blaby Wharf, where there was a depot used by the RAF and then Power Jets. Someone once said to me these prefabs were built for aircraft workers.
The only info I know (vaguely) is that postwar he worked for Armstrong-Whitworth and then Auster Aircraft or Beagle Aircraft at Rearsby.

Have a nice weekend,

John.

[trish1120]

Have you looked for him on the 1939 Register ?

Trish

[Thooperfly]

Have you looked for him on the 1939 Register ?

Trish

Hi Trish,

Yes, a friend looked him up on there - it said he was an "engineer". I also have my Grandparents wedding certificate. They got married in Enderby in 1940. His occupation is also listed as "engineer" on that too.
I suppose it being wartime, they didn't got into detail about occupations.

I know he was in the Home Guard - possibly in Enderby, as I have a photo of him wearing the uniform. My Dad told me once he worked on the aircraft at Braunstone aerodrome during the war. That was a long time ago, when I was probably too young to take in any other details.

I know that Braunstone was a satelite "emergency landing ground" for Desford - so he could have been at either.

John.

[Danone]

Hi
Reid & siegrist
My woolman family were there I have the book called at home and away Ernest John woolman Robert woolman from Coalville Leicestershire worked there doing aeroplane parts for the war effort .
Steve
They lived on Ashburton Road Hugglescote Robert did the family story of who they lived near who the family married into .

[Thooperfly]

Hi
Reid & siegrist
My woolman family were there I have the book called at home and away Ernest John woolman Robert woolman from Coalville Leicestershire worked there doing aeroplane parts for the war effort .
Steve
They lived on Ashburton Road Hugglescote Robert did the family story of who they lived near who the family married into .

Do you know which site they worked at? Braunstone or Desford?

Regards,
John.

[Danone]

Hi
Iam  Steven woolman
My dads father was Ernest John woolman he came from turlangton Leicester born 1880  he and his family worked there 1938-39 I have a book called home& away you can get it from Coalville library John's son Robert George woolman did the story of what the family did their making aeroplane parts for war effort .it was edited by the springboard centre Coalville.
Steve

[Danone]

They were at desford site
Steve