Raymond ARDRON I (1922 - 2003) C.ENG., M.I.MECH.E., M.I.PROD.E.

Father: Horace Ardron II (1894 - 1973)
Mother: Hilda Dutchman

                    


Tree extract starting with common ancestor to me:

My Grandfather was born on 17 November 1922 in Rawmarsh. (GRO ref Rotherham 9c 1305 Dec 1922)

1922 The Irish Free State is established
1928 Equal Franchise Act - all women are given the same voting rights as men (all over the age of 21)
1931 Financial crisis and run on the pound (Britain abandons the gold standard)

He attended Rosehill Primary School, Kilnhurst Road, Rawmarsh up until the age of 11, when after passing the 11+ exam transferred to Wath Grammar School. Unfortunately my Grandfather failed the school certificate in French, a compulsory subject and as a result was unable to progress to university. (Recollections of Raymond Ardron 2002)

In 1938, aged 16 he left the grammar school and started a two year mechanical engineering course at Rotherham College of Technology and Art. However after one year a large number of students left and the second year was cancelled. As a result he left college one Friday in July 1939 and started work on 3 July at The Backer Electric Co. Ltd., Fitzwilliam Road, Rotherham. The company had asked the college to send some students for interview and he got a job with an arrangement to go through the works production and tool room and probably finish as a draughtsman, which he did for a short time. (Recollections of Raymond Ardron 2002)

During this time Raymond continued his studies by attending evening classes and obtained National Certificate in mechanical engineering and then Higher National Certificate with endorsements in strength of materials and heat engines. He took electrical engineering up to National Certificate level but did not take the exam. As a result of this study he became a member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and a member of the Institute of Production Engineers and a Chartered Engineer. (Recollections of Raymond Ardron 2002)

1939-45 World War II

During World War Two, he had a medical in order to be commissioned in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, however Backer Electric had many war contracts and his entry into the army was blocked indefinitely. (Recollections of Raymond Ardron 2002)

1944 Butler Education Act - framework for new comprehensive secondary system for all

He married Dorothy Bright at the Parish Church, Rawmarsh on Saturday 31 August 1946. Raymond was an engineer and resident at 188 Clay Pit Lane, Rawmarsh. His father was a dairyman. Dorothy was a nurse and resident at 15 Scawsby Street, Denaby Main. Her father, was a coal miner. Witnesses were the two fathers. (GRO cert MXA362667 + GRO ref Rother V. 2c 1756 Sep 1946 A-B) (Photo - Rawmarsh Parish Church)
The best man was Mr. W. Clapham and the groomsman was Mr. C. Barlow. The reception was held at the Queens Hotel, Rawmarsh where eighty guests were entertained. Gifts included a plated silver cake stand from the nurses of "The Bungalow", Wharncliffe E.M.S. Hospital to Dorothy and an electric clock from the managers of Backer Electric Company to Raymond. (South Yorkshire Times and Express, September 7, 1946) Newspaper Announcement

The honeymoon was spent on the Isle of Man.

This marriage was later dissolved.

Around 1947, my Grandfather bought his first car, a Ford Prefect.

1948 National Health Service established
1954 Rationing ends

Raymond went on to marry Dorothy Hart (nee Morris) in 1957. (GRO ref Rother V. 2c 1724 Mar 1957 - Hart) She was a widow with two children, Roger and Drina.

1963 The Profumo Affair
1978 Winter of Discontent (amongst Unions)
1979 Margaret Thatcher becomes Britain's first female Prime Minister

During his career at Backer Electric Co. he became Works Superintendent, Works Manager and Chief Engineer. With a downturn in the fortunes of Backer Electric he took early retirement on 28 June 1980. (Backer Electric correspondence)

My Grandfather died on 7 June 2003. (GRO ref Rotherham June 2003 reg no D60B dist no 045/1D ent no 291 - [dob] 17 Nov 1922)

His funeral was held on 13 June 2003 at the Ryecroft Methodist Church, Rawmarsh and was buried at Rawmarsh (Greasbrough Lane) Cemetery. His memorial inscription reads:

"Raymond Ardron
17.11.1922 - 7.6.2003
A wonderful husband, Dad,
and Grandpa
"Simply the Best""

Dorothy BRIGHT (1923 - 1979)
My grandmother was born on 15 May 1923 at Ladysmith Cottage, Conisborough. The informant was her mother of the same address. (GRO cert BXCD540033 + GRO ref Doncaster 9c 1468 Jun 1923 - Hanson) Her father was Albert Bright and Mary Alice (nee Hanson).

In 1946 she was working as a nurse at the Wharncliffe Military Hospital. (Newspaper wedding announcement to Raymond Ardron I - dated 7 Sep 1946)

Following the dissolving of her marriage to Raymond, Dorothy Ardron (Bright) married Walter Gaines in the Register Office, Lower Agbrigg, Yorkshire on 10 December 1952. Walter was a Police Officer and resident at 3 Cross Street, Horbury. His father was Thomas Gaines, a Rougher (Steel Mill). Dorothy was a Health Visitor and resident at 2 Bungalow, Wakefield Road, Scissett. Her father was a Colliery Ripper. Witnesses were Edith Billamy and Annie Jones. (GRO cert WB982543 + GRO ref Lower Agbrigg 2c 912 Dec 1952 - Gaines)

Dorothy died in 1979. (GRO ref Wakefield 5 1406 Jun 1979 - [dob] 16 May 1923) – though note the day difference on birth date given compared to the birth certificate

Dorothy Hart (nee Morris) (1916 -)
She was born on 26 August 1916. GRO REF??

RAYMOND AND DOROTHY BRIGHT HAD THE FOLLOWING CHILD:


1) Derrick Ardron (1947 -)