Henry Weslake (1897-1978) of Weslake and Co
1897 August 21st. Born in Exeter the son of Henry John Weslake
1911 Living at Clyde House, Princes Street South, St Thomas, Exeter: Henry John Weslake (age 48 born Exeter), Gas Meter Maker. With his wife Harriet Emma Weslake (age 48 born Countess Weir) and their son Henry Weslake (age 13 born Exeter). One servant.[1]
Started his own engineering company to manufacture his carburettor, with the name of Wex Carburettors.
Became Captain of the Exeter Motor Cycle Club
1929 Married in West Brompton to Violet Gwendoline Thorp
Weslake was a cylinder head specialist who had been instrumental in modifying the side valve standard engine used in the first SS (Swallow Sidecars - later to become Jaguar) sports car. He also worked on the larger SS engine: "The 2½-litre car has an o.h.v. power-unit with Weslake combustion chambers, and gives over 40 b.h.p. per litre." [2] He also designed the cylinder head for the overhead valve version of the Austin 'A' series engine that was used in the Morris 1000 and the Mini and received royalties on each of these engines manufactured. He was involved in the design of every Jaguar engine up to and including the V12 of the early 1970s. Weslake was also involved in the development of the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine.
WWII. Developed engines for Scammell to be used in trucks and fire pumps, and helped solve problems in engines that powered bombers and tanks.
After the war, Harry had a research facility built on land at Rye, in Sussex and named his new venture Weslake and Co.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ 1911 Census