Genealogy Chat

I have my grandfather's death certificate and on it his occupation is down as Aircraft Worker (retired). Anyone have any idea where I could look to find out his work records please. Thanks Pam.

Are your parents or any other relatives alive who could tell you where he worked? Take it he lived in the Midlands or somewhere - you will have the place of his death for a starter. You need to know the area he lived in if you dont know the name of the company he worked for. What years are we likely to be talking? You could try googling aircraft manufacturers in the area you know he lived. There cant be many.

Hello Heather. He left home in 1931 leaving wife, my nan, and 5 children. He came from East London. I hunted and hunted and found his death in Surrey in 1973. No family. No headstone. Occupation on certificate aircraft worker (retired). Hunted person that registered his death and pretty sure she was a carer. B4u'd and found person with same surname that registered death but no connection. Long shot at this one but trying so hard to find out about him without much success. Heathrow or Gatwick I would guess. Have googled but can't find anything. Thanks Pam.

Sorry, I imagined he actually built them, but I can see that may not be so! Surrey would be nearer Gatwick, wouldnt it. Is it worth taking a chance and emailing their personnel department for information? Of course, it could be just a little company that does things for the major ones. Not easy one - I wish you luck. Do try the personnel department though (I used to work in the personnel dept of a very large engineering company and was more than pleased to help enquiries) If he had a carer - long shot here - would it also be worth contacting social services in that area, explaining why you are interested and seeing if they MAY have 30 year old records which would have given any relevant details??

Croydon Airport may be relevant at the time. Aircraft were built at various places around London, including Heston and Hendon. Jim

What area of Surrey was he in? Hawker Syddeley Aviation (later to be merged into British Aerospace) had a big factory at Ham (between Kingston & Richmond) & another in Weybridge (I think). Carole

You beat me to it Carole. The Brooklands Museum at Weybridge is on the site of the factory where they made Wellington Bombers. I would bet they could help.Telephone 01932 857381.

That is brilliant. Thank you. I will phone today. His address when he died was The Causeway, Claygate, Surrey. As I don't know the area I tried to find out if propery still existed but had no luck. Googled Claygate and emailed various organisations but no luck. Thanks again. Will keep you informed. Pam.

Claygate is 5 miles from Weybridge.

Thank you again. Yesterday, just looking at this thread when my computer cut out. I was just reading the phone number Paul left. I ended up having to take computer to be fixed and got back today. Just taken number of Brooklands Museum and will phone them tomorrow. Thanks again and will let you know how I get on. Pam.

Paul, rang the number you left. They are not sure they will be able to help but are going to have a look for me. Thank you so much for information. Regards, Pam.

Hi, look up Vickers aircraft works, Brooklands, Weybridge. lots of links to go into, if this is where he might of worked? Also Weybridge museum hold lots of records for the area 01932-843812, its housed on the 2nd floor of the library there. I don't know if they have any records of Vickers, I would of thought they would, but it might help. I will look up my local history books and see what else I might be able to find. Just remembered: My grandfather was an aircraft assembler and worked for Hackbridges in Hersham. It is now Air products! Try hackbridges in a search as well Sorry if its useless information thought I might be able to help. I live near if u need anything looking at. Good luck and let me know Marnie

Hi, I live 5 mins away from Claygate, hubby knows the Causeway, just given me directions lol, if you have an address cottage no etc, I will try over the weekend to go and have a look and take a piccy Marnie

Hi Pam, can you tell me his full name and was he buried in claygate. When you let me know John is going to take me for a look round later in the week Thanks Marnie

Hi Marnie, Thanks very much. His full name Albert Edward Hone. He is not buried in Claygate though. He died in Kingston hospital. When I contacted Kingston I am pretty sure they said he was buried there in a 'non purchased grave'. They gave me the number which was D.CON.8083. I presume this is the plot number. Thank you anyway for offering. I did phone them again a couple of weeks ago but was told I had to send a cheque for £30 before anyone would look anything up for me. I presume as the ancestry thing is pretty big now they don't have time to do look ups for free. Thanks again.

Sorry obviously cant put plot number on here. Can send by pm if you would like. Pam.