Family History Stories - Gordon Armstrong: Inventor and Engineer

While researching a house history for a client I uncovered an extraordinary gentleman who lived in the East Yorkshire town of Beverley and became a well known character in the town in the first half of the twentieth century. I thought I could tell something of his story here to illustrate how interesting it is to unearth these family stories!

Gordon Armstrong was born 9th April 1885 in Northumberland and was christened ‘Fullerton George Gordon Armstrong’ on 25th September at Haltwhistle. His Father, William was a farmer and landowner in Cumberland on the farm that had been in the family since the 18th century. There were five other children in the family.

The family later moved to Driffield in East Yorkshire where Gordon attended Driffield Grammar School. On leaving school he was initially employed as a Provision Merchant’s Clerk in Driffield. Gordon must have had other ideas for his future as from 1902 – 1906 Gordon was enrolled as an engineering apprentice at Clarke, Chapman and Company in Gateshead. He was then appointed as a Marine Engineer on the SS Kura from 1906 – 1907 and then moved to York and was appointed Head Mechanic for NE Garages. He could not have stayed there long as by 1908 he had returned to East Yorkshire and founded the East Riding Engineering Works in Beverley which was to be the start of his business empire.

From these early days, Gordon was an inventor and an engineer. He used his business premises to modify a second-hand Bleriot aircraft and test flew it on The Westwood – a pasture land area in Beverley, until the Pasture Masters banned him from flying there – so he had to move to another open area for further flight tests! He even advertised an exhibition of the aeroplane at his garage on Tiger Lane in Beverley, charging up to 1 shilling for entry!

Gordon’s exploits made him a well-known character around Beverley. Around this time he also started the development of a ‘cycle-car’ which was later to bring him further local fame.

The Gordon Car was manufactured by Gordon’s company between 1912 – 1916. Gordon himself drove the car at 'cycle car trials' from Hull to Beverley in 1914 with his vehicle being one of only two which completed the course non stop.

Gordon would have been eligible to be called up for war work in the 1914 – 1918 war, and there is one mention if his appointment as a 2nd Lieutenant in July 1917 in the East Yorkshire Volunteer Royal Engineers. However no other details of his service can be found. Gordon’s company in Beverley was heavily involved with the war effort as they produced munitions, perhaps this was the war work that Gordon was most involved in.

After the war Gordon's Engineering Works continued to expand and in 1919 Gordon produced the first of what were to be several models of shock absorber. This was to be the mainstay of his business in future years and result in very lucrative returns. At one time he supplied both the Ford and Morris Motor companies which resulted in massive expansion of his business. In 1922 Gordon travelled to Montreal, Canada from Glasgow, and this was possibly his first overseas trip to promote his company overseas. He later travelled extensively promoting his business.

This expansion probably prompted the move of his Engineering Works to bigger premises but still in Beverley. By the outbreak of the second world war, Gordon's company was producing 4000 shock absorbers a day to help the war effort and it is said that he employed around 450 workers.

Gordon remained well known in the town during the second world war and donated money to buy Spitfire planes and made donations for the purchase of a Hurricane plane. His company also ran a stall in the marketplace in Beverley providing free hot drinks and refreshments to service personnel.

Gordon's personal life was just as colourful as his business life. He married three times, the first and third marriage ended in divorce and his second wife sadly died of pneumonia when they were travelling on a cruise ship to South America. He had two sons and a daughter.

The Armstrong name lives on around the town of Beverley with the Armstrong Centre, now a community centre, in the building that was previously a social club linked to the Armstrong factory. Many would not remember who this man was a little research has uncovered a fascinating man who's inventions have a lasting influence today.