1959 Who's Who in the Motor Industry: Name O
Note: This is a sub-section of 1959 Who's Who in the Motor Industry: Persons
OFFORD, John Gordon Director and Chairman, Offord and Sons, Ltu.. since 1946. b: February 15, 1888. Educ: Walton College, Essex. Served as Sub. Lieut. and Lieut.. R.N.V.R.. 1915-18; engaged on war contracts during Second World War. Member of Council. Junior Car Club (latterly the B.A.R.C.), since early 1920s, and Chief Observer, B.A.R.C., since 1945; member of R.A.C. Associate Committee. Recreation: motor racing. Clubs: B.A.R.C., Steering Wheel. Add: Offord and Sons, Ltd., 154 Gloucester Road, London, S.W.7. T: Fremantle 3388; and Stanton Prior, Darley Road, Eastbourne, Sussex. T: Eastbourne 7336.
O'FLAHERTY, Stephen A.C.I.S. Chairman, Motor Distributors, Ltd., Dublin; Chairman, VW Finance, Ltd., Dublin; Chairman, Monsell, Mitchell and Co., Ltd., Dublin; Chairman, Electro-Diesel (Ireland), Ltd., Dublin; President, S. O'Flaherty Ltd., Canada. First associated with the Industry in 1925 (Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., Manchester Depot); Assistant Traffic Manager, Henry Ford and Son, Ltd., Cork, 1928-33; General Manager of the Vauxhall and Bedford Distributors for Ireland, 1933-39. Recreation: Golf. Clubs: Portmarnock Golf Club; Killiney Golf Club; Eccentric. Add: Motor Distributors, Ltd., Naas Road, Inchicore, Dublin. T: 900611; and Coundon House, Killiney Avenue, Co. Dublin. T: 87276.
OGLETHORPE, Edward Lewis Founder and Managing Director, Duramin Engineering Co., Ltd., since 1919. b: November 11, 1888. Educ: Lancaster R.G.S., Manchester University. Served engineering apprenticeship with Vickers, Sons and Maxims, Millom and Askam Ironworks and Staveley Coal and Iron Co., worked for five years on own motor business in New Zea!and; four years' service in First World War as Workshops Officer, R.A.S.C., attached to G.H.Q.; Assistant Officer i/c Works, Second Heavy Repair Shop, Rouen; founded the above company (under original title of Dartford Engineering Co.) in September, 1919; is also Managing Director, Duramin Engineering (Lydney), Ltd., Frank Bern hart (Engineering), Ltd. Recreations: rugby football, tennis and hockey. Add: Duramin Engineering Co., Ltd., Stonefield Way, Ruislip, Middx. T: Ruislip 3322; and " Craiglyn," Westbury Road. Northwood, Middx. T: Northwood 2152.
OLDFIELD. Bernard Leslie Sales Director, Hobbs Transmission, Ltd. Educ: Harborne. Commenced business with his father's company, J. and R. Oldfield, Ltd., Birmingham, and made Director; joined Laycock Engineering, Sheffield, as Sales Manager and remained for t8 years until joining present company as Director in charge of Sales. Recreations: golf and fly-fishing. Married, two sons. Add: Hobbs Transmission, Ltd., 78 Russell Terrace, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. T: Leamington Spa 8082; and 5 Clarendon Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, 16. T: 0639.
OLIVER. Christopher Sibley M.I.Mech.E. Chairman and Managing Director, Rotherham and Sons, Ltd. b: 1891, Rastrick. Educ: Sedbergh School. Was first connected with the Motor Industry in 1921 as Works Manager, Humber Ltd., Coventry, later taking up position of General Works Manager, Humber-Hillman-Commer Group, left to join Armstrong Siddeley Motors Ltd., 1931 Director and General Manager; appointed to present position in 1944. Add: Rotherham and Sons, Ltd., 27 Spon Street, Coventry. T: Coventry 64154; and 17 Warwick Avenue, Coventry.
OLORENSHAW, John Francis Chairman and Joint Managing Director, Norwich Motor Co., Ltd. b: February 2, 1926. Educ: Norwich School, Edinburgh University. Left Edinburgh University and joined R.N.V.R., 1944; demobilized with rank of Sub-Lieutenant, R.N.V.R., 1947; took ex-officers' business course at Cambridge University, and one year's course at Humber, Ltd., and other Rootes Group Factories, and a further year at Egerton's (Ipswich), Ltd.; joined Norwich Motor Co., Ltd., as General Manager, 1949; appointed Joint Managing Director with his brother Peter, 1957, on the death of F. H. Olorenshaw, F.I.M.I.; appointed Chairman. 1958; is a committee member of the Norwich Traffic and Publicity Club and of the Publicity Association for Norwich, and Vice-Chairman of the Norwich District of The Motor Agents Association. Is married, and has one son and one daughter. Recreations: sailing, rugby football. Clubs: R.N.V.R.,, London; Norwich Rotary; Norwich Strangers. Add: Norwich Motor Co., Ltd., 118-120 Prince of Wales Road, Norwich, Norfolk. T: Norwich 28811; and Rose Cottage, Old Costessey, Norwich. T: Costessey 302.
O'NEILL, Denis C.B. Under-Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, since October, 1951. At present in charge of Road Traffic, Road Safety and Vehicle Regulations and Taxation Divisions. b: February 26, 1908, North China. Educ: Royal Academical Institution, Belfast; Oriel College, Oxford. Entered Ministry of Transport, October, 1931; from 1935 to 1941 successively Private Secretary to: Rt. Hon. Leslie (later Lord) Hore-Belisha, Rt. Hon. Leslie Burgin, Rt. Hon. Euan Wallace, Lt.-Col. J. T. C. Moore-Brabazon (now Lord Brabazon of Tara), Sir John (now Lord) Reith, and (jointly with F. H. Keenlyside) Rt. Hon. Lord Leathers; assistant secretary, 1943. Recreations: reading, gardening, walking. Club: Savile. Add: Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square, London, W.1. T: Mayfair 9494, ext. 3473; and 41 Tudor Close, Belsize Avenue, N.W.3. T: Swiss Cottage 4914.
ORCUTT, Ralph Hitchcock Joint Managing Director, The Gear Grinding Co., Ltd. b: January 4, 1903, Finchley. Educ: Rossall. Apprenticed to present company in 1921; subsequently appointed Secretary and Director, and Joint Managing Director in June, 1953. Recreations: Rugby football, golf, bridge. Clubs: Conservative, Birmingham. Add: The Gear Grinding Co., Ltd., Shirley, Solihull, Warwickshire. T: Shirley 2231: and Rowington Hall, near Warwick. T: Lapworth 7.
ORIEL, John Augustus C.B.E., M.C., M.A., B.Sc., F.R.I.C., M.I.Chem.E., F.Inst.Pet. Consultant to The Shell Petroleum Co., Ltd. b: June 17, 1896, Dowlais. Educ: Merthyr Tydfil County School; Cardiff University College; Jesus College, Cambridge. First connected with the Motor Industry as a Chemist in 1921 after serving in France and India during the First World War; wounded three times and awarded Military Cross; joined the Shell company in which he has remained successively as Chemist, Manager of their Suez Refinery, and from 1940-48, General Manager of Shell Refining and Marketing Co., and Chief Chemist; during Second World War was closely connected with many Government activities for the Petroleum products and was a leading member of the C.I.O.S. teams which went to France and Germany. His career with Shell ended abruptly in 1949, when he was overtaken by blindness as a result of mustard gas in the First World War; has since worked in a consultative capacity; President of The Institution of Chemical Engineers, 1955-57; Hon. Member, 1958; Manager, Royal Institution; has been a Director of W. J. Fraser, Chemical Engineers, Dagenham. Recreation: gardening. Add: _Springfield House, Brailes, Banbury, Oxon. T: Brailes 25; and 66 Eaton Place, London, S.W.1. T: Sloane 5597.
ORR, William Charles Edward Manager, Car Division, Armstrong Siddeley Motors, Ltd., since 1957. b: June 26, 1902, Coventry. Educ: Edgewick and Bablake School, Coventry. Joined Standard Motor Co., Ltd., 1916; drawing office, Armstrong Siddeley, 1926-30; in charge experimental engine section, Standard Motor Co., Ltd., 1930-38; works manager, then works director, Jaguar Cars, Ltd., 1938. Recreation: outdoor sports. Club: Conservative. Add: Armstrong Siddeley Motors, Ltd., Coventry. T: Coventry 62666; and Kearney House, Chestnut Square, Wellesbourne. T: Wellesbourne 256.
OSBORNE, Kenneth Assistant Chief Engineer, Pressed Steel Co., Ltd., since 1957; Chairman of Technical Lecture Committee, Institute of Body Engineers. b: 1912, London. Educ: Regent Street Poly-technic. Commenced as body designer, 1930; held various appointments with E. D. Abbott, Thrupp and Maberly, etc.; sales engineer, Pressed Steel Co., five years; project engineer, Pressed Steel Co., four years; Assistant to Chief engineer for seven years; Council Member of Institute of Body Engineers, and Hon Treasurer. Recreation: motor boating. Add: Pressed Steel Co., Ltd., Oxford. T: Oxford 77701; and Buxshalls, 63 Oxford Road, Abingdon, Berks. T: Abingdon 243.
OTTAWAY, William Robert Henry A.C.A. Director (since 1946) and Secretary (since 1943), Wingard, Ltd. b: July 30, 1907. Educ: Cheshire and London. Entered Accountancy profession on leaving school and gained experience over a period of 18 years; qualified 1939. Is a member of the Institute of Directors. Recreation: sea angling. (President, Bognor Regis Amateur Angling Society.) Clubs: Chichester Rotary, Dell Quay Sailing. Add: Win gard, Ltd., Chichester, Sussex; and " Trenance," East Close, Middleton-on-Sea, Sussex. T: Middle ton-on-Sea 2302.
OUBRIDGE, Victor William B.A. (Eng. Cantab), M.I.Mech.E., M.I.Prod.E., M.B.I.M. Chairman (since 1956) and Managing Director (since 1940), The British Piston Ring Co., Ltd. b: April 2, 1913, Coventry. Educ: Oundle School; Jesus College, Cambridge. First connected with the Industry in 1935 as technical assistant to the managing director of the British Piston Ring Co., Ltd.; became Managing director 1940 and Chair man 1956; is also a Director of Bricovmo, Ltd., British Aero Components, Ltd., and Associated Engineering, Ltd; Founder member of the British Institute of Management; Council member of the Federation of British Industries. Recreation: fishing. Club: R.A.C. Add: The British Piston Ring Co., Ltd.. Holbrooks, Coventry. 7': 89014-5-6-7; and Wasperton House, Warwick. T: Barford 264.
OWEN, Alfred George Beech C.B.E., Chairman and Joint Managing Director, Rubery Owen and Co., Ltd.; and Chairman of the Owen Organization. b: 1908, Streetly. Educ: Lickey Hills School. Oundle and Cambridge University. Took over control of Rubery Owen and Co., Ltd., at 21 years of age upon the death of his father. A. E. Owen: is Chairman of the Owen Organization, of which Rubery Owen and Co., Ltd., is the parent company and one of the largest privately owned concerns in Great Britain; suppliers to the Motor Industry and owners of the B.R.M. Racing Car project; Member of Darlaston Urban District Council; Chairman of County Council, and Member of Sutton Coldfield Council; is a Director of the following companies forming the Organization: Rubery Owen and Co. Ltd., Electro-Hydraulics, Ltd., Rubery Owen (Warrington), Ltd., E. Camelinat and Co., Ltd., Motor Panels (Coventry), Ltd.. Hudson Brown, Ltd., Bentley Hall Brick Co.. Ltd.. Easiclene Porce lain-Enamel (1938), Ltd.. A. Warden and Co., Ltd., Rubery Owen and Kemsley Proprietary, Ltd., Rubery Owen Housing Association, Ltd., Rogers and Jackson, Ltd., Salopian Engineers, Ltd., Shuker and Son (Shrewsbury), Ltd., R. and J. Wrexham (Wholesale), Ltd., J. W. Baker and Co., Ltd., Nuts and Bolts (Darlaston), Ltd., C. and L. Hill, Ltd., Brooke Tool Manufacturing Co., Ltd., A. G. Sutherland, Ltd., Chains, Ltd.. Darlaston and Dis trict Housing Co., Ltd., T. S. Harrison and Sons, Ltd., lnvicta Electrodes, Ltd., Kleine Co., Ltd., Eaton Axles, Ltd., Associated Constructional Engineers, Ltd., New Hall Farm, Ltd., Waddington Tools, Ltd., G. R. Smithson and Co., Ltd., Port Hamble, Ltd., Luke Brothers, Ltd., B.T. Developments, Ltd., Gasel Appliances, Ltd., Denfords Engineering Co., Ltd., Rubery Owen, Kepston, Ltd., Conveyancer Fork Trucks, Ltd., Conveyancer Fork Trucks (Australia), Pty., Ltd.. Electro Hydra ulics (Canada), Ltd., Gasel, Ltd., J. E. Brassey and Son, Ltd., The Castra Electric Washing Machine Co., Ltd., Cardinal Steels, Ltd., Leabank Office Equipment, Ltd., Bowser International, Ltd., Charles Clark and Son, Ltd., Charles Clark and Son (Stafford), Ltd., Shorrock Superchargers, Ltd., Hodgkiss Oilburners, Ltd., Walsall Football Club, Ltd., British Overseas Boat Co., Ltd., Hill, Alzen (Sales), Ltd., Rubery Owen and Scott (S.A.), Ltd., Rubery Owen (Canada), Ltd. Recreations: religious and municipal affairs, and public service. Add: Rubery Owen and Co., Ltd., Darlaston, South Staffs. T: James Bridge 3131; and The Highway, New Hall Drive, Sutton Coldfield. T: Sutton Cold field 1396.
OWEN, Ernest William Beech Joint Managing Director, Rubery Owen and Co., Ltd. b: October 24, 1910, Streetly. Educ: Lickey Hills School, Oundle, Loughborough College; first connected with the Industry in 1930 as a draughts man; held various other positions before being appointed Joint Managing Director of present company. Recreations: rifle shooting, hunting, farming. Add: Rubery Owen and Co., Ltd., Darlaston, Wednesbury, Staffs. T: James Bridge 3131; and Homewood, 365 Walmley Road, Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire. T: Sutton Coldfield 3375.
OXFORD, Leonard George M.I.P.E. Director, Firth Cleveland, Ltd., and Group Companies, since 1955. b: March 22, 1913, Enfield, Middx. Educ: Elementary School. Edmonton Technical College, Ponders End Technical Institute. Served apprentice ship with The Blackstock Engineering Co., Ltd., 1928-33; Machine Shop Foreman, 1933-34; further training in Production Control, Plant Layout, Administration, etc., at several large companies, 1934-37; Assistant Works Manager, Simmonds Aero cessories, Ltd., 1937-38; Works Manager, Simmonds Aerocessories (Western), Ltd., 1938-48; Works Manager, Simmonds Aerocessories, Ltd., 1948-49; Technical Director, 1949-50; Joint Managing Direc tor, 1950; between 1951 and present also appointed as: Director, Firth Cleveland, Ltd.: Joint Managing Director, Firth Cleveland Tools, Ltd.; and Firth Cleveland Steel Strip, Ltd.; Director. The Firth Co., Ltd.; British Lead Mills, Ltd.; R. E. Roberts and Son, Ltd.; Landmaster, Ltd.; Stenor, Ltd.; The Tenuous Steel Co., Ltd.; Keeton, Sons, and Co., Ltd. Recreations: shooting, fishing, tennis, music, reading. Clubs: R.A.C., St. Mellons County. Add: Firth Cleveland, Ltd., Treforest, near, Pontypridd, Glamorgan. T: Treforest 2211; and West Orchard, Fairwater Road, Llandaff. near Cardiff, Glamorgan. T: Cardiff 73791.