Aircraft Fitter 1942 Maidenhead

[Abiam2]

I am tracing my father's first 40/50 years.  He was born in 1905 in Maidenhead and was in the Merchant Navy from 1924 to 1930.  I don't know what he did between 1930 and 1942 but in 1942 I have evidence to say he was an aircraft fitter.  I think he must have worked locally and I don't think he was in the RAF.  That leaves, perhaps, White Waltham.

He also worked for Holden the car body company in Adelaide for a couple of years during his navy period.

In 1942 he was married with a baby and living in Maidenhead and aged 37.  Can anyone tell me where he might have worked and would he have needed qualifications (I would have thought so)

I have enquired in many places without success and am hoping RC will come to my rescue!

Regards, Abiam

[IMBER]

He might have been working at Hawkers, Langley, which employed lots of fitters. There were other aircraft companies at Woodley.

[Flakdodger]

Abiam,
White Waltham was a main base of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) an organisation that ferried aircraft around the UK (IE factory to RAF) so freeing up RAF effort.
It was not part of the RAF but came under the the Ministry of Aircraft Production (MAP).
Their records are at Kew in the AVIA series. AVIA 81 is Selected Civilian Personal Files.
Hope this helps,
Dave

[behindthefrogs]

I would have thought White Waltham was the more likely. Woodley would have been a long trek to work.

David

[Necromancer]

In 1942 he was married with a baby and living in Maidenhead and aged 37.

you might be lucky and find some extra detail provided on this childs Birth Cert as to his occupation ...

[Abiam2]

Thank you all for your suggestions.

My thinking is that W Waltham is most likely - within cycling distance -  I think Woodley and Langley too far away although I suppose there could have been buses to ferry the workers.

It was my birth certificate and nothing written but Aircraft Fitter.

Flakdodger - Can I find anything on line about the AVIA as I am in Spain and therefore unable to visit Kew?  Should have been more intersted when I lived there and when my Dad was alive!

Any more thoughts most welcome,
Regards,
Abiam

[Abiam2]

Just answered my own question!  I can see the name but that's it I will have to try and find someone going to Kew,
Abiam

[Rena]

I worked for an engineering company 1950's and quite a few fitters, etc. went to work in the merchant navy when they'd finished their apprenticeships.  There was more money by way of promotion for engineers in the navy.  Have you found out where your father worked 1919 to 1924?

Rena

[Abiam2]

Hi, No I haven't but I imagine he was probably the inevitable Ag Lab.  He was one of eleven the last but one and probably joined the navy to get away from home.  Those are my thoughts.
He became a chauffeur gardener somtime in the late 40's early 50's
Regards, Abiam