Oliver Simmonds
Encyclopedia
Sir Oliver Edwin Simmonds, FRAeS
, (1897 – 1985) was a British aviation
pioneer, aircraft engineer and Conservative Party
politician. He was the Member of Parliament
(MP) for Birmingham Duddeston
from 1931 to 1945.
. Aero Club of South Farnborough
, Hampshire.
on leaving university. Simmonds was co-designer with R. J. Mitchell
of the Supermarine
seaplanes which led to the Spitfire
. Simmonds announced that he had severed his connection with the Supermarine Aviation Works in July 1928, and that in future all communications with reference to the "Spartan" and the "Simmonds Interchangeable Wings" be addressed to him at "Holmfels", Woolston, Hampshire. The "Spartan" had wings designed so that any one spar can be used on the port or starboard side, and as top or bottom plane. A similar interchangeability was effected in the case of the elevators and rudder, so that the number of spares needed is very small. July 26, 1928
In 1928 Simmonds formed two companies: Simmonds Aircraft, Ltd.— Capital £20,000, in £1 shares. With the purpose of acquiring interests in patents, licences, concessions and the like held or to be held by the Simmonds Interchangeable Wing Co., Ltd., and to acquire from O. E. Simmonds licences relating to the building, manufacture, design, sale or otherwise of the Simmonds Spartan Light Aeroplane, Chairman and permanent managing director: O. E. Simmonds. Solicitors : Rowe and Wilkie, 7, Queen Street, E.C.4. and Simmonds Interchangeable Wing Co., LTD.—Capital £100, in £1 shares. Under agreement with O. E. Simmonds, to acquire interests in any invention relating to the design, manufacture or use of aircraft on aircraft parts, in particular, interests in any patents, licences, concessions and the like held by the said O. E. Simmonds. Chairman and managing director : O. E. Simmonds. Solicitor : C. F. Simmonds, 40/44, Holborn Viaduct, E.C. 1
Simmonds sold the companies to the Whitehall Securities Corporation Ltd, majority shareholders in Saunders Roe Ltd who renamed the company Spartan Aircraft Ltd
.
. He was elected at the 1931 general election
as the Member of Parliament
(MP) for Birmingham Duddeston
, defeating the sitting Labour Party
MP George Sawyer. He held until the seat until his defeat at the 1945 general election
. In the House Simmonds spoke on aviation and workers' conditions.
In 1947 the Electric and General Industrial Trusts, Ltd., of which Mr. C. W. Hayward
was chairman bought the entire share capital of Simmonds Aerocessories, Ltd., and Simmonds Products, Ltd. Sir Oliver retained his interests in Simmonds Development Corp., Ltd. This company held many of Simmonds patents.
In 1957 a new company, Firth Cleveland Instruments, Ltd.,was formed at Treforest, Glam.
, to manufacture and market instruments formerly produced by Simmonds Aerocessories and took over from the parent company developments in instrumentation for aircraft and other applications.
B.O.A.C.
took over the Aerocessories works on the Great West Road
, London and the latter concern moved to the Treforest factory, Cardiff, as well as his interests in his North American companies. The former office building which was built in the Art Deco
style on the Great West Road was taken over as headquarters for Beecham
Group Ltd in 1955. The building has recently been developed into executive apartments by Barratt
and has been renamed Wallis House. At the top of the main entrance tower is a sculpture of an angel / airman by Eric Gill
who designed created the famous sculpture of Prospero
and Ariel
on BBC Broadcasting House and the typeface Gill Sans
.
Simmonds Aerocessories was the original manufacturer of surform
tools.
. He immediately became involved in starting a construction company and undertook the development of The Balmoral, a hotel on Cable Beach
now known as the Sandals resort. In its heyday, the hotel was known for its relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere and hosted many notable guests, amongst which were The Beatles
who were here to film the movie Help!
. Sir Oliver Simmonds also lent his energies to helping stabilize the hotel industry by becoming the President of The Hotel Employer Association and then the President of The Friends of The Bahamas, an organization encouraging the recognition of Bahamian creative talent in the hotel and music industries. Sir Oliver would later help The Lou Adams Orchestra to become the first Bahamian band to perform in the dining room of the British Colonial Hotel, at a time when it was unheard of for local bands to perform in the dining room of any hotel in The Bahamas. Until this time, Bahamian bands could play by the pool areas and maybe the bars, but the dining halls were off limits to local artists. These dining rooms would have Broadway shows that would change each week when the cruise ships arrived at the seaport in Nassau.
Sir Oliver built 'High Tor' with its 18 foot gracious high ceiling rooms it was designed with care and with an eye to detail still apparent to this day. Sir Oliver imported English oak panels for doors and an 18th century carved wooden fireplace as well as many other decorative items. He was an inventor and engineer, there are still features existing today that were considered innovative when he designed them such as the floating spiral staircase and the enormous windows that slide down to disappear completely into the floor. He lived in High Tor until 1963 and he continued to live in Lyford Cay until 1977.
Royal Aeronautical Society
The Royal Aeronautical Society, also known as the RAeS, is a multidisciplinary professional institution dedicated to the global aerospace community.-Function:...
, (1897 – 1985) was a British aviation
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
pioneer, aircraft engineer and Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
politician. He was the Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
(MP) for Birmingham Duddeston
Birmingham Duddeston (UK Parliament constituency)
Birmingham Duddeston was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1918 to 1950. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first-past-the-post system of election.- Boundaries :...
from 1931 to 1945.
Early life
Magdalene College, Cambridge University Aeronautical Society, Honorary Secretary, Hon. Sec. of the Royal Aircraft EstablishmentRoyal Aircraft Establishment
The Royal Aircraft Establishment , was a British research establishment, known by several different names during its history, that eventually came under the aegis of the UK Ministry of Defence , before finally losing its identity in mergers with other institutions.The first site was at Farnborough...
. Aero Club of South Farnborough
Farnborough, Hampshire
-History:Name changes: Ferneberga ; Farnburghe, Farenberg ; Farnborowe, Fremborough, Fameborough .Tower Hill, Cove: There is substantial evidence...
, Hampshire.
Aviation career
Oliver Simmonds joined the Royal Aircraft FactoryRoyal Aircraft Establishment
The Royal Aircraft Establishment , was a British research establishment, known by several different names during its history, that eventually came under the aegis of the UK Ministry of Defence , before finally losing its identity in mergers with other institutions.The first site was at Farnborough...
on leaving university. Simmonds was co-designer with R. J. Mitchell
R. J. Mitchell
Reginald Joseph Mitchell CBE, FRAeS, was an aeronautical engineer, best known for his design of the Supermarine Spitfire.-Early years:...
of the Supermarine
Supermarine
Supermarine was a British aircraft manufacturer that became famous for producing a range of sea planes and the Supermarine Spitfire fighter. The name now belongs to an English motorboat manufacturer.-History:...
seaplanes which led to the Spitfire
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
. Simmonds announced that he had severed his connection with the Supermarine Aviation Works in July 1928, and that in future all communications with reference to the "Spartan" and the "Simmonds Interchangeable Wings" be addressed to him at "Holmfels", Woolston, Hampshire. The "Spartan" had wings designed so that any one spar can be used on the port or starboard side, and as top or bottom plane. A similar interchangeability was effected in the case of the elevators and rudder, so that the number of spares needed is very small. July 26, 1928
In 1928 Simmonds formed two companies: Simmonds Aircraft, Ltd.— Capital £20,000, in £1 shares. With the purpose of acquiring interests in patents, licences, concessions and the like held or to be held by the Simmonds Interchangeable Wing Co., Ltd., and to acquire from O. E. Simmonds licences relating to the building, manufacture, design, sale or otherwise of the Simmonds Spartan Light Aeroplane, Chairman and permanent managing director: O. E. Simmonds. Solicitors : Rowe and Wilkie, 7, Queen Street, E.C.4. and Simmonds Interchangeable Wing Co., LTD.—Capital £100, in £1 shares. Under agreement with O. E. Simmonds, to acquire interests in any invention relating to the design, manufacture or use of aircraft on aircraft parts, in particular, interests in any patents, licences, concessions and the like held by the said O. E. Simmonds. Chairman and managing director : O. E. Simmonds. Solicitor : C. F. Simmonds, 40/44, Holborn Viaduct, E.C. 1
Simmonds sold the companies to the Whitehall Securities Corporation Ltd, majority shareholders in Saunders Roe Ltd who renamed the company Spartan Aircraft Ltd
Spartan Aircraft Ltd
Spartan Aircraft Limited was a British aircraft manufacturer from 1930 to 1935. It was formed by reinvestment in Simmonds Aircraft which had suffered financially.-History:...
.
Parliament
In 1931 Oliver Simmonds decided to pursue other interests, and enter politics as a ConservativeConservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
. He was elected at the 1931 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1931
The United Kingdom general election on Tuesday 27 October 1931 was the last in the United Kingdom not held on a Thursday. It was also the last election, and the only one under universal suffrage, where one party received an absolute majority of the votes cast.The 1931 general election was the...
as the Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
(MP) for Birmingham Duddeston
Birmingham Duddeston (UK Parliament constituency)
Birmingham Duddeston was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1918 to 1950. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first-past-the-post system of election.- Boundaries :...
, defeating the sitting Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
MP George Sawyer. He held until the seat until his defeat at the 1945 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1945
The United Kingdom general election of 1945 was a general election held on 5 July 1945, with polls in some constituencies delayed until 12 July and in Nelson and Colne until 19 July, due to local wakes weeks. The results were counted and declared on 26 July, due in part to the time it took to...
. In the House Simmonds spoke on aviation and workers' conditions.
Simmonds Aerocessories
On selling his Simmonds / Spartan companies Oliver Simmonds established Simmonds Aerocessories. As the company grew it expanded its interests to producing aircraft controls and a fuel measurement tool that became a standard in the industry. Under his auspices the company grew rapidly spreading across all of Europe as a multi-national and then worldwide into Canada, the US and Australia. In 1941 Simmonds Aerocessories built a one-off target drone the OQ-11 which was tested by the USAAF.In 1947 the Electric and General Industrial Trusts, Ltd., of which Mr. C. W. Hayward
Charles William Hayward
Sir Charles William Hayward, CBE was a Wolverhampton-born entrepreneur and philanthropist.-Early Family:Sir Charles was the second child of John Hayward, a cycle manufacturer, and Mary...
was chairman bought the entire share capital of Simmonds Aerocessories, Ltd., and Simmonds Products, Ltd. Sir Oliver retained his interests in Simmonds Development Corp., Ltd. This company held many of Simmonds patents.
In 1957 a new company, Firth Cleveland Instruments, Ltd.,was formed at Treforest, Glam.
Glamorgan
Glamorgan or Glamorganshire is one of the thirteen historic counties and a former administrative county of Wales. It was originally an early medieval kingdom of varying boundaries known as Glywysing until taken over by the Normans as a lordship. Glamorgan is latterly represented by the three...
, to manufacture and market instruments formerly produced by Simmonds Aerocessories and took over from the parent company developments in instrumentation for aircraft and other applications.
B.O.A.C.
British Overseas Airways Corporation
The British Overseas Airways Corporation was the British state airline from 1939 until 1946 and the long-haul British state airline from 1946 to 1974. The company started life with a merger between Imperial Airways Ltd. and British Airways Ltd...
took over the Aerocessories works on the Great West Road
Great West Road
The Great West Road may refer to:*A4 road from London to Bath and Bristol, England*The Golden Mile in West London, part of the above*Great West Road, Zambia...
, London and the latter concern moved to the Treforest factory, Cardiff, as well as his interests in his North American companies. The former office building which was built in the Art Deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
style on the Great West Road was taken over as headquarters for Beecham
Beecham (pharmaceutical company)
Beecham was a British pharmaceutical company. It was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. Beecham, after having merged with SmithKline Beckman, merged with GlaxoWellcome to become GlaxoSmithKline .-History:...
Group Ltd in 1955. The building has recently been developed into executive apartments by Barratt
Barratt Developments
Barratt Developments PLC is one of the largest residential property development companies in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1958 as Greensitt Bros. but control was later assumed by Sir Lawrie Barratt. It was originally based in Newcastle upon Tyne but is now located at David Wilson's former...
and has been renamed Wallis House. At the top of the main entrance tower is a sculpture of an angel / airman by Eric Gill
Eric Gill
Arthur Eric Rowton Gill was a British sculptor, typeface designer, stonecutter and printmaker, who was associated with the Arts and Crafts movement...
who designed created the famous sculpture of Prospero
Prospero
Prospero is the protagonist in The Tempest, a play by William Shakespeare.- The Tempest :Prospero is the rightful Duke of Milan, who was put to sea on "a rotten carcass of a butt [boat]" to die by his usurping brother, Antonio, twelve years before the play begins. Prospero and Miranda survived,...
and Ariel
Ariel (The Tempest)
Ariel is a spirit who appears in William Shakespeare's play The Tempest. Ariel is bound to serve the magician Prospero, who rescued him from the tree in which he was imprisoned by Sycorax, the witch who previously inhabited the island. Prospero greets disobedience with a reminder that he saved...
on BBC Broadcasting House and the typeface Gill Sans
Gill Sans
Gill Sans is a sans-serif typeface designed by Eric Gill.The original design appeared in 1926 when Douglas Cleverdon opened a bookshop in his home town of Bristol, where Eric Gill painted the fascia over the window in sans-serif capitals that would later be known as Gill Sans...
.
Simmonds Aerocessories was the original manufacturer of surform
Surform
A surform tool features perforated sheet metal and resembles a food grater. A surform tool consists of a steel strip with holes punched out and the rim of each hole sharpened to form a cutting edge. The strip is mounted in a carriage or handle...
tools.
Bahamas
In 1948 Simmonds sold his British based interests and moved to The BahamasThe Bahamas
The Bahamas , officially the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, is a nation consisting of 29 islands, 661 cays, and 2,387 islets . It is located in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cuba and Hispaniola , northwest of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and southeast of the United States...
. He immediately became involved in starting a construction company and undertook the development of The Balmoral, a hotel on Cable Beach
Cable Beach
Cable Beach is a stretch of beach near Broome, Western Australia. Cable Beach was named after the telegraph cable laid between Broome and Java in 1889....
now known as the Sandals resort. In its heyday, the hotel was known for its relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere and hosted many notable guests, amongst which were The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
who were here to film the movie Help!
Help! (film)
Help! is a 1965 film directed by Richard Lester, starring The Beatles—John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr—and featuring Leo McKern, Eleanor Bron, Victor Spinetti, John Bluthal, Roy Kinnear and Patrick Cargill. Help! was the second feature film made by the Beatles and is a...
. Sir Oliver Simmonds also lent his energies to helping stabilize the hotel industry by becoming the President of The Hotel Employer Association and then the President of The Friends of The Bahamas, an organization encouraging the recognition of Bahamian creative talent in the hotel and music industries. Sir Oliver would later help The Lou Adams Orchestra to become the first Bahamian band to perform in the dining room of the British Colonial Hotel, at a time when it was unheard of for local bands to perform in the dining room of any hotel in The Bahamas. Until this time, Bahamian bands could play by the pool areas and maybe the bars, but the dining halls were off limits to local artists. These dining rooms would have Broadway shows that would change each week when the cruise ships arrived at the seaport in Nassau.
Sir Oliver built 'High Tor' with its 18 foot gracious high ceiling rooms it was designed with care and with an eye to detail still apparent to this day. Sir Oliver imported English oak panels for doors and an 18th century carved wooden fireplace as well as many other decorative items. He was an inventor and engineer, there are still features existing today that were considered innovative when he designed them such as the floating spiral staircase and the enormous windows that slide down to disappear completely into the floor. He lived in High Tor until 1963 and he continued to live in Lyford Cay until 1977.