Henry Ronald Godfrey
Encyclopedia
Henry Ronald Godfrey was an early English
motor car design engineer.
Born near London
, he met Archibald Frazer-Nash
at technical college, to produce the GN
cycle car. A light-weight two-cylinder car first sold in 1911, it stayed in production through 1922.
After Archie left the company in 1922 to form Frazer-Nash, Godfrey also left to form repair business HR Godfrey Motors, which supplied GN spares and offered rebuilds. This enterprise formed the basis of his partnership with Stuart Proctor, with whom he formed Godfrey and Proctor. Continuing the servicing of GN's, they produced their own car based on the Austin Seven
. However, the venture proved unsuccessful, with only about 10 cars produced by the time the company ceased trading in 1928.
In 1929, Godfrey formed a new partnership with Archie to form Nash & Thomson
in Kingston-upon-Thames. Involved in engineering work for the Admiralty
and the Royal Air Force
, the company designed the Frazer-Nash produced hydraulic gun turret
, that was to be widely used in World War II
.
In 1935, having raced at Brooklands
, Godfrey formed HRG Engineering Company (HRG)
with Major
E.J. "Ted" Halford and Guy Herbert Robins, who was previously with Trojan
. HRG was based in Norbiton
, with the first prototype shown at the end of 1935. Fully established in 1936, the company produced cars until 1956, and the reverted to development engineering work for others, before ceasing trading in 1966.
Godfrey died in 1968.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
motor car design engineer.
Born near London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, he met Archibald Frazer-Nash
Archibald Frazer-Nash
Archibald Goodman Frazer Nash , was an early English motor car designer and engineer, who specialised in manufacturer of light and sports cars in England....
at technical college, to produce the GN
GN (car)
thumb|right|200px|Richard Scaldwell's JAP-engined GN Grand Prix special at the VSCC SeeRed race meeting, Donington Park, September 2007. The GN has a 5.1 litre V8 aero-engine shoehorned into its lightweight cyclecar frame....
cycle car. A light-weight two-cylinder car first sold in 1911, it stayed in production through 1922.
After Archie left the company in 1922 to form Frazer-Nash, Godfrey also left to form repair business HR Godfrey Motors, which supplied GN spares and offered rebuilds. This enterprise formed the basis of his partnership with Stuart Proctor, with whom he formed Godfrey and Proctor. Continuing the servicing of GN's, they produced their own car based on the Austin Seven
Austin Seven
There were four Austin Motor Company cars to use the Seven name:* A single cylinder car produced in 1909* The 1922-1939 Austin 7* The original Mini* The launch title of the Austin A30...
. However, the venture proved unsuccessful, with only about 10 cars produced by the time the company ceased trading in 1928.
In 1929, Godfrey formed a new partnership with Archie to form Nash & Thomson
Nash & Thomson
Nash & Thompson was a British engineering firm that specialised in the production of hydraulically-operated gun turrets for aircraft. The company was also an important manufacturer of hydraulic powered radar scanners, used on radar systems such as H2S and AI Mark VIII.- History :Nash & Thompson was...
in Kingston-upon-Thames. Involved in engineering work for the Admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
and the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
, the company designed the Frazer-Nash produced hydraulic gun turret
Gun turret
A gun turret is a weapon mount that protects the crew or mechanism of a projectile-firing weapon and at the same time lets the weapon be aimed and fired in many directions.The turret is also a rotating weapon platform...
, that was to be widely used in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
In 1935, having raced at Brooklands
Brooklands
Brooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England. It opened in 1907, and was the world's first purpose-built motorsport venue, as well as one of Britain's first airfields...
, Godfrey formed HRG Engineering Company (HRG)
HRG Engineering Company
HRG Engineering Company also known as HRG, was a British car manufacturer based in Tolworth, Surrey. Founded in 1936 by Major Edward Halford, Guy Robins and Henry Ronald Godfrey, it took its name from the first letter of their surnames....
with Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
E.J. "Ted" Halford and Guy Herbert Robins, who was previously with Trojan
Trojan (automobile)
Trojan was a British automobile manufacturer. Cars with the Trojan marque were made from 1914 and 1974.-Early history:The company was founded by Leslie Hayward Hounsfield who went into business as a general engineer in a small workshop called the Polygon Engineering Works in Clapham, South London...
. HRG was based in Norbiton
Norbiton
Norbiton is a place in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, London. It lies approximately east of Kingston upon Thames's town centre, and from Charing Cross. Its main landmarks include Kingston Hospital and Kingsmeadow football stadium, which is currently used for the home matches of both...
, with the first prototype shown at the end of 1935. Fully established in 1936, the company produced cars until 1956, and the reverted to development engineering work for others, before ceasing trading in 1966.
Godfrey died in 1968.