Charles Northrup McLaren
Sir Charles Northrup McLaren (c1899-1955), director-general of the Royal Ordnance Factories
1955 Obituary [1]
We regret to record the death of Sir Charles Northrup McLaren, which occurred in London on June 8th. Sir Charles, who was fifty-six, was director-general of the Royal Ordnance Factories during the second world war. On account of failing health, however, he was compelled to seek early retirement from the Ministry of Supply in October, 1951.
Sir Charles was born in Glasgow and was educated at Bellahouston Academy and at the Royal Technical College, Glasgow. He joined the Civil Service in 1931 as labour superintendent of the Royal Ordnance Factories, and four years later became superintendent of the Royal Gun and Carriage Factories.
In 1936, Sir Charles was appointed assistant director of the Royal Ordnance Factories, in which position he took a large share of the task involved in reorganising and extending the factories when the rearmament programme prior to the war was decided upon. Towards the end of 1940, when the war had entered its most critical phase, Sir Charles was invited to succeed the late Sir Reginald Townsend as director-general of the Royal Ordnance Factories. In that very responsible office, he demonstrated not only his technical ability but also those qualities of leadership and encouragement which were characteristic of him. His personal contribution to the war effort during those perilous days was indeed enormous. In 1941, Sir Charles was created K.C.B. in recognition of his valuable services.
Sir Charles was a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and of the Institution of Production Engineers. He was also, for a period after the war, chairn1an of the Gauge and Tool Advisory Council.