Sir Ernest Willoughby Petter - engine and aircraft manufacturer
- 1873 Born at Yeovil, Somerset. Son of James Bazeley Petter; twin brother of Percival Waddams Petter.
- 1890 Left school to start apprenticeship in father's ironmongery and foundry business.
- 1901 The twin brothers purchased the business from their father, becoming joint managing directors. Reorganized as James B. Petter and Sons Ltd.
- 1907 Married Angela Emma Petter, daughter of Henry Petter of Calcutta. 3 sons and one daughter.
- 1915 Chairman of Petters Ltd.
- 1915 Westland Aircraft subsidiary formed; Ernest became chairman.
- 1918 Stood for Parliament (Bristol North); unsuccessful.
- 1923 Stood for Parliament (Bristol North); unsuccessful.
- 1923 President of the British Engineers' Association (to 1925).
- 1925 Knighted
- 1931 Stood for Parliament (St George's Westminster); unsuccessful.
- 1934 Angela died
- 1935 Remarried Lucy Ellen Hopkins.
- 1938 emigrated to Victoria, British Columbia.
- 1954 Returned to U.K.
- 1954 Died 18 July at New Milton, Hampshire.
See Also
Sir Ernest Willoughby Petter, by Anne Pimlott Baker, ODNB.
Sources of Information
[1] Wikipedia