RootsChat.Com

General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: nlarkin1 on Monday 26 May 25 17:50 BST (UK)

Title: Ministry of Aircraft Production in WW2
Post by: nlarkin1 on Monday 26 May 25 17:50 BST (UK)
Hi all, wonder if anyone can help me.
Does anyone know if there was a link between the Ministry of Aircraft Production and properties at Oakwood Court in Kensington, London during WW2? I'm kind of assuming that perhaps buildings/homes were requisitioned for the war effort, but struggling to find reliable information.

Also, it seems that Hounslow was a key place for the Ministry of Aircraft Production in WW2. Does anyone know if there are records of people that worked for that particular ministry in WW2, and if so, how/whether you can search for someone.

I can't publicly write the name of the lady I'm researching for privacy reasons (I wish I could!). But I do know that she had a connection to Oakwood Court, the war effort, and helping the war effort in Hounslow. So I'm kind of assuming it was to do with that ministry.

many thanks in advance
Title: Re: Ministry of Aircraft Production in WW2
Post by: CaroleW on Monday 26 May 25 18:14 BST (UK)
If the lady you are researching is deceased - naming her is permitted on RC. 

However - there may be other reasons why you don't want to name her. 

Title: Re: Ministry of Aircraft Production in WW2
Post by: nlarkin1 on Monday 26 May 25 18:16 BST (UK)
Yep, she's long dead. The person I'm helping research with doesn't want me to name her :(
Title: Re: Ministry of Aircraft Production in WW2
Post by: cath151 on Monday 26 May 25 19:43 BST (UK)
A newspaper of 1966 mentions Oakwood Court Kensington
"One large block on the Northside was built as recently as 1927. This block was requisitioned early in the war and used by various Government departments including the Ministry of aircraft production."
There is a manageress mentioned that had been there for 20yrs,  a single lady surname beginning with  C.

Cathy
Title: Re: Ministry of Aircraft Production in WW2
Post by: cath151 on Monday 26 May 25 19:50 BST (UK)
1946
Cathy
Title: Re: Ministry of Aircraft Production in WW2
Post by: nlarkin1 on Monday 26 May 25 22:49 BST (UK)
Ah, great. Thanks! That at least strengthens the ministry connection.
Title: Re: Ministry of Aircraft Production in WW2
Post by: cath151 on Tuesday 27 May 25 06:56 BST (UK)
Hi,
Ancestry have Kensington electoral rolls which include Oakwood Court.
1939 and 1946 onwards (not during the war).
There are several people there in 1946, including 4 women, but in what capacity they were there is unknown.
Cathy
Added... newspaper report for a marriage to a Mr Lawrence from Hounslow, durig the war to a lady from Ealing (address is given) who was a shorthand typist at the Ministry of Aircraft Production.
Title: Re: Ministry of Aircraft Production in WW2
Post by: nlarkin1 on Tuesday 27 May 25 13:18 BST (UK)
Thanks, Cathy.
When you say there are several people there in 1946, are you referring to a specific address (as obviously there were many people living at Oakwood Court in general)?

And on the newspaper report for a marriage to Mr Lawrence, what date is that (so that I can look it)?
Thanks again for all this
Title: Re: Ministry of Aircraft Production in WW2
Post by: cath151 on Tuesday 27 May 25 13:55 BST (UK)
Hi 
65 oakwood court in 1946
The marriage was in 1942
I think hounslow.
The lady in questin had a sister Pamela.a long shot but you never know.
Cathy