Christopher Hamo Thornycroft

1915 - 2001  (86 years)

• Name	Christopher Hamo Thornycroft  [1, 2, 3]
  Birth	18 Feb 1915	Hampstead   [2, 3, 4]
  Education	abt 1928 - 1933	Bedales School, Steep   [4]
  Education	abt 1933 - 1936	Oxford University   [4, 5]
  Military Service	1936 - 1937	Spain ; Engineer, Republican Forces  [4, 5]
  Occupation	1938 - 1947	Design engineer, Napier Power Engineering  [4]
  Marriage	23 May 1939	Paddington Town Hall   [1, 6]
  	Elizabeth Barbara Crump,   b. 15 Aug 1918, Cheltenham ,   d. Feb 2006, Stroud
  Residence	abt 1946 - 1951	10 Belsize Lane, Hampstead   [7]
  Residence	abt 1952 - 1984	Darbys, Church Rd, Cookham Dean   [7]
  Occupation	abt 1963 - 1985	Slough ; Director, British Internal Combustion Engine Research Institution  [4]
  Death	11 Sep 2001	Stroud   [2, 4]
  Burial		Cheltenham   [8]
  Notes	Chris came from an engineering and artistic family. His great uncle, Sir John Thornycroft, had founded the famous engineering firm; his grandfather, Hamo, had been knighted for contributions to the arts; and Chris was a fascinating blend of them both. He was a great lover of art and, importantly, the beauty of precision engineering. From obituary by Nares Craig, The Guardian, 01 Oct 2001. Chris Thornycroft was sacked from employment with Napiers in 1947, an early victim of the post-second world war purges of Communists and others considered undesirable during the cold war. His brother, Bill, was also sacked by Napiers four years later. Chris remained an active member of the Communist Party for many years thereafter, as his brother recalled, `although sticking to his principles seriously reduced his earning ability and his young family had to struggle on a very low income throughout their early years'. [F E (Bill) Thornycroft, letter to the Guardian, 13 Oct 2001] Was at Oxford but went off to fight in Spain without taking a degree. Became an outstanding mechanical engineer, and an expert in diesel engines. In 1981 was head of the Diesel Research Station at Slough. [5]
  Person ID	I3634	Tatham | Morris branch | Spouse
  Last Modified	03 Mar 2014

  
  

  Father	Oliver Thornycroft,   b. 19 Apr 1885, Wynnstay Gardens, Kensington ,   d. 24 Aug 1956, 82 Corringham Rd, Golders Green  (Age 71 years)
  Mother	Dorothy Rose,   b. 11 Aug 1889, Chiswick ,   d. 10 Apr 1971, Bristol  (Age 81 years)
  Marriage	29 Jul 1911	Hampstead   [9, 10]
  	On the 29th July, at Hampstead, Oliver, only son of Hamo Thornycroft, Esquire., R.A., to Dorothy, only surviving child of the late Edward Rose, Esquire, and of Mrs. Rose, of 5, Gardnor Manions, Church-row, Hampstead. [The Times]
  Family ID	F0502	Family Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Elizabeth Barbara Crump,   b. 15 Aug 1918, Cheltenham ,   d. Feb 2006, Stroud  (Age 87 years)
  Engagement	04 May 1939	[11]
  	The engagement is announced of Christopher, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Thorneycroft, of Champions, Offington Drive, Worthing, and Elisabeth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Crump, of Steep, Petersfield. [The Times, 03 May 1939]
  Marriage	23 May 1939	Paddington Town Hall   [1, 6]
  	On May 23, 1939, at Paddington Town Hall, Christopher Hamo Thornycroft, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Thornycroft, to Elizabeth Crump, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Crump. [The Times, 24 May 1939]
  Children	1. Living   2. Living + 3. Living
  Last Modified	27 Nov 2012
  Family ID	F1042	Family Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Histories

  For copyright or privacy reasons, access is restricted.

  
  

• Sources

  [S02] BMD Index, marriage reg Paddington, 2Q1939. [S02] BMD Index, death reg Stroud, Sep 2001. b 18 Feb 1915 [S02] BMD Index, birth reg Hendon, 1Q1915. [S11] Newspaper, Guardian, 01 Oct 2001. obituary [S64] Geoffrey Crump. [S05] The Times, marriage notice, 24 May 1939. [S17] Telephone Directories. [S03] Family Members, JAC, 17 Feb 2014. [S02] BMD Index, marriage reg Hampstead, 3Q1911. [S05] The Times, marriage notice, 01 Aug 1911. [S05] The Times, forthcoming marriages, 04 May 1939.