Douglas Wellesley Morrell
Encyclopedia
Douglas Wellesley Morrell CBE, (February 6, 1917 - February 6, 1996) was an English
electrical engineer
and deputy managing director of Racal
.
His father, Arthur Wellesley Morrell
, was a paymaster
for the Royal Navy
at the Plymouth Dockyard
.
Douglas was educated at Dauntsey's School
in Wiltshire
, and later at Faraday House in London
, where he earned a bachelor of science (engineering) with honours, as well as a Gold Medal.
Both sons from his first marriage would later attend Dauntsey's, then an all-boys public school.
throughout the war years installing radio direction-finding equipment as part of the war effort.
After the war, Douglas went on to work for Redifon as a sales engineer. It was with Redifon that he met Ray Brown, who would eventually join Calder Cunningham in starting Racal
in 1950.
In April 1953, Douglas left Redifon to join Racal as their first sales manager, at the invitation of Ray Brown. Douglas became an investor and joined the board of directors in 1955. Douglas was instrumental in negotiating an exclusive licencing agreement between Racal and the South African Counsil for Scientific and Industrial Research, which had invented an improved high frequency receiver circuitry, in a Racal radio set that eventually "became the standard HF receiver for all the armed forces and monitoring agencies of the United Kingdom".
When he retired in 1982, Douglas was a Deputy Managing Director, though he remained closely involved in the company's activities during his early retirement in Germany
.
During his lengthy career, Douglas became a member of the Society of British Aerospace Companies, and of the Institution of Electrical Engineers
, having first joined as a Member in 1936, later becoming a Fellow
in 1962.
Douglas was also a long serving Liveryman
with the Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers
, having been first clothed in the livery on 14 November 1961.
of the Order of the British Empire
on 12 June 1982, following his retirement, and was invested later that year.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
electrical engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
and deputy managing director of Racal
Racal
Racal Electronics plc was once the third-largest British electronics firm. Listed on the London Stock Exchange and once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index, Racal was a diversified company, offering products including: as voice and data recorders; point of sale terminals; laboratory instruments;...
.
Education and Early Life
Douglas was born in Plymouth on 6 February 1917, but was adopted and baptised nearly a year later, on 9 January 1918, as Douglas Wellesley Morrell at Emmanuel, Compton Gifford, Plymouth, Devon.His father, Arthur Wellesley Morrell
Arthur Wellesley Morrell
Paymaster-Captain Arthur Wellesley Morrell RN was a Freemason and British naval pay officer who served during the latter part of the Victorian era and through to the end of World War I, and who was also present at the Reconquest of the Sudan, the Relief of China, and the Blockade of...
, was a paymaster
Paymaster
A paymaster often is, but is not required to be, a lawyer . When dealing with commission payments on contracts dealing with large amounts of money , most banks in the United States are very wary of handling such large amounts of money...
for the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
at the Plymouth Dockyard
HMNB Devonport
Her Majesty's Naval Base Devonport , is one of three operating bases in the United Kingdom for the Royal Navy . HMNB Devonport is located in Devonport, in the west of the city of Plymouth in Devon, England...
.
Douglas was educated at Dauntsey's School
Dauntsey's School
Dauntsey's School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school in the village of West Lavington, Wiltshire, England. The School was founded in 1542, in accordance with the will of William Dauntesey, a master of the Worshipful Company of Mercers....
in Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
, and later at Faraday House in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where he earned a bachelor of science (engineering) with honours, as well as a Gold Medal.
Both sons from his first marriage would later attend Dauntsey's, then an all-boys public school.
Career
Douglas joined Marconi as an installation engineer in 1938, and would go on to travel around the British EmpireBritish Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
throughout the war years installing radio direction-finding equipment as part of the war effort.
After the war, Douglas went on to work for Redifon as a sales engineer. It was with Redifon that he met Ray Brown, who would eventually join Calder Cunningham in starting Racal
Racal
Racal Electronics plc was once the third-largest British electronics firm. Listed on the London Stock Exchange and once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index, Racal was a diversified company, offering products including: as voice and data recorders; point of sale terminals; laboratory instruments;...
in 1950.
In April 1953, Douglas left Redifon to join Racal as their first sales manager, at the invitation of Ray Brown. Douglas became an investor and joined the board of directors in 1955. Douglas was instrumental in negotiating an exclusive licencing agreement between Racal and the South African Counsil for Scientific and Industrial Research, which had invented an improved high frequency receiver circuitry, in a Racal radio set that eventually "became the standard HF receiver for all the armed forces and monitoring agencies of the United Kingdom".
When he retired in 1982, Douglas was a Deputy Managing Director, though he remained closely involved in the company's activities during his early retirement in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
During his lengthy career, Douglas became a member of the Society of British Aerospace Companies, and of the Institution of Electrical Engineers
Institution of Electrical Engineers
The Institution of Electrical Engineers was a British professional organisation of electronics, electrical, manufacturing, and Information Technology professionals, especially electrical engineers. The I.E.E...
, having first joined as a Member in 1936, later becoming a Fellow
Fellow
A fellow in the broadest sense is someone who is an equal or a comrade. The term fellow is also used to describe a person, particularly by those in the upper social classes. It is most often used in an academic context: a fellow is often part of an elite group of learned people who are awarded...
in 1962.
Douglas was also a long serving Liveryman
Liveryman
For Livery Companies in the City of London, a Liveryman is a full member of their respective Company.Livery Company members fall into two basic categories: Freemen and Liverymen. One may join as a Freeman, and thereby acquire the "Freedom of the Company", upon fulfilling the Company's criteria...
with the Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers
Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers
The Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation was formed in 1956, and the City granted it Livery status in 1964. The Company promotes science by offering scholarships to science students.The Company ranks eighty-fourth...
, having been first clothed in the livery on 14 November 1961.
Honours
Douglas was Gazetted as a CommanderCommander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
on 12 June 1982, following his retirement, and was invested later that year.