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Laurence Pomeroy
Encyclopedia
Laurence Henry Pomeroy was an English automotive engineer.
Laurence Pomeroy was born in London and after leaving school served as an apprentice with the North London Railway Company
. From there he became a draughtsman with Thornycroft
in Basingstoke before moving to Vauxhall Motors
in Luton in 1905.
The chief engineer of Vauxhall, F.W. Hodges was given an extended winter holiday in 1907-08 and during this time Pomeroy was asked by managing director Percy Kidner to redesign one of the existing engines to give more power to allow it to be used in cars competing in the RAC 2000 mile trial of 1908. The cars won several classes and Pomeroy was promoted to the post of Works Manager effectively replacing Hodges.
In 1913 he was elected a full member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
. He was also a member of the Institute of Automobile Engineers and became their president in 1934-35.
After World War I, in 1919, Pomeroy left Vauxhall and moved to the United States where he worked for the Aluminum Co of America
working on increasing the amount of Aluminium used in motor cars.
The British Daimler
company and AEC created a joint research company in 1926 called Associated Daimler and Pomeroy was invited to join as consultant which he did in 1926. The company was closed in 1928 and Pomeroy moved to the main Daimler company becoming Managing Director in 1929. A difference of opinion with new chairman Geoffrey Burton, who believed that Daimler should concentrate solely on large cars caused him to resign in 1936.
In 1938 he joined the De Havilland Aircraft company as General Manager of their engine division.
He died of a heart attack on May 27, 1941.
Laurence Pomeroy had one son, also called Laurence who became a renowned motoring and technical journalist.
Laurence Pomeroy was born in London and after leaving school served as an apprentice with the North London Railway Company
North London Railway
The North London Railway was a railway company that opened lines connecting the north of London to the East and West India Docks. The main east to west route is now part the North London Line. Other lines operated by the company fell into disuse, but were later revived as part of the Docklands...
. From there he became a draughtsman with Thornycroft
Thornycroft
Thornycroft was a United Kingdom-based vehicle manufacturer which built coaches, buses, and trucks from 1896 until 1977.-History:Thornycroft started out with steam vans and lorries. John Isaac Thornycroft, the naval engineer, built his first steam lorry in 1896...
in Basingstoke before moving to Vauxhall Motors
Vauxhall Motors
Vauxhall Motors is a British automotive company owned by General Motors and headquartered in Luton. It was founded in 1857 as a pump and marine engine manufacturer, began manufacturing cars in 1903 and was acquired by GM in 1925. It has been the second-largest selling car brand in the UK for...
in Luton in 1905.
The chief engineer of Vauxhall, F.W. Hodges was given an extended winter holiday in 1907-08 and during this time Pomeroy was asked by managing director Percy Kidner to redesign one of the existing engines to give more power to allow it to be used in cars competing in the RAC 2000 mile trial of 1908. The cars won several classes and Pomeroy was promoted to the post of Works Manager effectively replacing Hodges.
In 1913 he was elected a full member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers is the British engineering society based in central London, representing mechanical engineering. It is licensed by the Engineering Council UK to assess candidates for inclusion on ECUK's Register of professional Engineers...
. He was also a member of the Institute of Automobile Engineers and became their president in 1934-35.
After World War I, in 1919, Pomeroy left Vauxhall and moved to the United States where he worked for the Aluminum Co of America
Alcoa
Alcoa Inc. is the world's third largest producer of aluminum, behind Rio Tinto Alcan and Rusal. From its operational headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Alcoa conducts operations in 31 countries...
working on increasing the amount of Aluminium used in motor cars.
The British Daimler
Daimler Motor Company
The Daimler Motor Company Limited was an independent British motor vehicle manufacturer founded in London by H J Lawson in 1896, which set up its manufacturing base in Coventry. The right to the use of the name Daimler had been purchased simultaneously from Gottlieb Daimler and Daimler Motoren...
company and AEC created a joint research company in 1926 called Associated Daimler and Pomeroy was invited to join as consultant which he did in 1926. The company was closed in 1928 and Pomeroy moved to the main Daimler company becoming Managing Director in 1929. A difference of opinion with new chairman Geoffrey Burton, who believed that Daimler should concentrate solely on large cars caused him to resign in 1936.
In 1938 he joined the De Havilland Aircraft company as General Manager of their engine division.
He died of a heart attack on May 27, 1941.
Laurence Pomeroy had one son, also called Laurence who became a renowned motoring and technical journalist.