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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Oxfordshire => Topic started by: percy porter on Monday 05 May 14 21:38 BST (UK)
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I am not sure whether this is an appropriate place to post this but anyway here goes.
Did your parents or grandparents work at de Havilland's at Witney during the war years???
My parents and I (age about 12 months) moved from Hatfield to Witney in late 1939.
de Havilland's had set up a repair facility at the old first World War RAF Base there in order to do major repair work for the Royal Air Force on Hurricane and Spitfire aircraft. They also did occasional work on Mosquitoes as well as servicing some of the few civilian DH aircraft that were still permitted to fly during those war years. My parents both worked there during this period.
In the last 3-4 years before it closed, they converted military aircraft for civilian use and also re configured Mosquitoes for foreign governments. The factory was closed in late 1949 and the few workers who were retained were moved back to the company’s head quarters at Hatfield.
During its period of operation around 1,000 personnel, both men and women were manpowered by the Ministry of Supply from all over the country to Witney, many were retrained and after the war they were allowed to return to their homes and there pre-war occupations.
The workforce during those war years were a very close knit group, they worked hard over long hours and it was decided because of this, many wished to stay in touch with their co-workers. To that end the DH Witney 1939-1949 was formed, some 700 ex workers joined and annual re unions were held from 1949 until the late 1980s when the Association was wound up, the funds donated to the Witney Hospital and a brief history of the operations during the war given to the DH Hatfield Museum.
My father, who was secretary of the Association kept all the records from that period, I copied most of them on his death and passed them on to the Witney Library were they are still held. I have a complete list of the names of all those who were members. Over the last few years I have been developing a web site to honour those who worked there during that time, we remember those who flew sailed and soldiered around the world but tend to forget that there were many more who laboured long and hard to support them in the efforts.
I am anxious to get in touch with sons/daughters of those men and women or anyone who has information of the company during those years. If you have any information feel free to post here or if you prefer, PM me.
Alan NZ
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Alan,
Although I can't add to your knowledge of the DH operation at Witney I wish you well in your endeavours.
You are right about the lack of commemoration of those who served behind the scenes during WW2 and it is only fitting that folks like yourself do what they cab to remedy the omission.
Is your website up and running yet. If so, please give us all the link.
Regards,
Keith
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Hi Keith,
no it is not up yet, it is very much 'work in progress' although progress is very slow. I have got a little information on the Home Guard website which refers to dads involvement with the de Havilland platoon you will find it here.
http://www.staffshomeguard.co.uk/DotherReminiscences47Witneystaffshg.htm (http://www.staffshomeguard.co.uk/DotherReminiscences47Witneystaffshg.htm)
Alan NZ
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Thanks Alan,
It's amazing how often my own and other people's research takes me back to that Home Guard website. Some really interesting documents and images relating to your father there. I look forward to the emergence of your website.
Good luck,
Keith
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Hello Keith.
I noticed your post on the staff of De Havilland's .
My Grandfather worked at De Haviland's as did most of my Grand fathers brothers from just after the first WW and my grand father till he retired he was born 1896 Islington and worked with the firm all his life.
I would love to trace a few people if the records are available.
Kind Regards
Yvonne
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Hi Pixie and welcome to Rootschat.
I think it probable that Alan's projected website may become your best hope but you might also do well to contact the de Havilland Museum, www.dehavillandmuseum.co.uk. Tel: 01727 826400. They may have some records.
Good luck with your search.
Keith
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Hello Keith.
Thank you for the welcome I have contacted the De havilland Museum and they said they don't hold the records.
They said there is a workers site and Facebook page for workers but not found them.
Brickwall and head :)
Pixie
Hi Pixie and welcome to Rootschat.
I think it probable that Alan's projected website may become your best hope but you might also do well to contact the de Havilland Museum, www.dehavillandmuseum.co.uk. Tel: 01727 826400. They may have some records.
Good luck with your search.
Keith
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Pixie,
I would like a penny for every time I've been there!
I've tried several search criteria on Google but I can't find them either. Sorry.
Regards,
Keith
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You have to laugh researching has obstacles all the way....
x
Pixie,
I would like a penny for every time I've been there!
I've tried several search criteria on Google but I can't find them either. Sorry.
Regards,
Keith
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interesting to see these recent posts, I had forgotten that I had put that post up but then it is over 3 years ago.
Regretfully the proposed website only managed to get past the embryo stage as the cost of hosting it and getting it into some semblance of order was beyond my financial and skills ability.
The information is still available though and if you have any names you wish to look for just let me know.
All is not lost though as I have approached British Aerospace and they are reasonably keen on the information and if I can get myself motivated enough I hope to take them up on there offer.
AS mentioned in my initial post, some of what I have was deposited with the library at Witney which on a subsequent visit a few years late had been passed on to the Oxford library and they held photocopies. Some detail including a few pictures are at the Witney and Districts Museum. I have copies of most of the photographs they hold.
Alan
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Hello Alan.
I have sent you a PM.
Rather than post names on here.
Kind Regards
Yvonne
interesting to see these recent posts, I had forgotten that I had put that post up but then it is over 3 years ago.
Regretfully the proposed website only managed to get past the embryo stage as the cost of hosting it and getting it into some semblance of order was beyond my financial and skills ability.
The information is still available though and if you have any names you wish to look for just let me know.
All is not lost though as I have approached British Aerospace and they are reasonably keen on the information and if I can get myself motivated enough I hope to take them up on there offer.
AS mentioned in my initial post, some of what I have was deposited with the library at Witney which on a subsequent visit a few years late had been passed on to the Oxford library and they held photocopies. Some detail including a few pictures are at the Witney and Districts Museum. I have copies of most of the photographs they hold.
Alan
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Hi Alan,
I sincerely hope you do get some assistance from BAe.
Pixie, Why not put a thread on the message board for whichever county hosted the factory where your grandfather worked, asking whether anyone remembers him or any of the other members of your family?
Regards,
Keith
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Hello .
I have messaged think it is Alan given him a name.
My grandfather worked in Barnet, Hatfield.
I have messaged BAe as well .
Thank you all for your help.
I will post a new thread and maybe get some help.
Kind Regards
Yvonne
Hi Alan,
I sincerely hope you do get some assistance from BAe.
Pixie, Why not put a thread on the message board for whichever county hosted the factory where your grandfather worked, asking whether anyone remembers him or any of the other members of your family?
Regards,
Keith
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Yvonne,
Good luck with the research and please let us know how you get on.
Keith
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Hello Keith
You are so very kind.
Thank you
Yvonne :)
Yvonne,
Good luck with the research and please let us know how you get on.
Keith
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Have replied Yvonne,
sorry I was unable to help. Dad and Mum worked at Hatfield prior to 1939 and they moved to Witney. When the Witney factory closed down he went back to Hatfield and then got transferred to Leavesden so there is a good chance he knew your granddad, I recall as a child after the war we used to go to Hatfield quite a lot for social activities, Dad played bowls for the Leavesden branch and we had home and away fixtures with them throughout the bowls season and I always went along.
Regards
Alan
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hello Alan.
Thank you so much for your kindness.
I fear this is a fruitless hunt never mind.
My Grandfather started in the factory with his brothers he was a tin worker in 1911 and ended up working in the office.
Mr De Havilland took my mother her sisters and parents up in a plane for a ride.
Kind Regards
Yvonne
Have replied Yvonne,
sorry I was unable to help. Dad and Mum worked at Hatfield prior to 1939 and they moved to Witney. When the Witney factory closed down he went back to Hatfield and then got transferred to Leavesden so there is a good chance he knew your granddad, I recall as a child after the war we used to go to Hatfield quite a lot for social activities, Dad played bowls for the Leavesden branch and we had home and away fixtures with them throughout the bowls season and I always went along.
Regards
Alan
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have you checked the 1939 register?
Alan
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Hello Alan.
Yes I have checked the 1939 and have the boys in it.
I will wait patiently for the 1921 Census not long now.
Kind Regards
Yvonne
have you checked the 1939 register?
Alan
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Yvonne,
I fear you may have a long wait. The government has said that it will not release the 1921 census (something to do with new privacy rules). There is a large body of people trying to get them to change their mind.
Did you put anything on the Hertfordshire board and if so did you get any useful replies?
Regards,
Keith
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Hello Keith.
Sorry for delay away at the moment.
I understand they will not release the 1921 till 2022.
SO not long in the grand scheme of things.
I will get hunting again when I get home.
Thank you again for your help.
Yvonne
Yvonne,
I fear you may have a long wait. The government has said that it will not release the 1921 census (something to do with new privacy rules). There is a large body of people trying to get them to change their mind.
Did you put anything on the Hertfordshire board and if so did you get any useful replies?
Regards,
Keith
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Their position seems to have changed since I last checked. It was originally
"The ruling by the Information Commissioner that resulted in the 1911 Census for England and Wales being opened early does not apply to the 1921 Census because, unlike the 1911 Census, the 1921 Census was conducted under the 1920 Census Act, which is still in force and which contains a statutory prohibition on disclosure."
It now appears to have switched to
"The stated government position from the ONS is "its intention to release the entirety of the 1921 Census returns in 2022, in accordance with the non-statutory '100 year rule' which was adopted to reflect this undertaking of confidentiality".
It looks as though they intend to revoke the statutory prohibition. I hope I'm still around to see it.
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Dear Rootschatters
Some time ago I made the following post - link below - and wondered at the time if it could be a pic taken at Harwell, or maybe Brize Norton. Could it actually be de Havilland at Witney?
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=638457.msg4854878#msg4854878 (http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=638457.msg4854878#msg4854878)
KN
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I am pretty sure it is not Witney, the image is not very clear and as already mentioned there appears to be a number of American servicemen there, so I doubt if it is Hatfield either.
ALan