Thomas Frederick Hardyman
Thomas Frederick Hardyman (1884-1963) of Petters
1884 September 18th. Born at Ilkeston the son of Fred Hardyman, a Butcher, and his wife Sarah.
Apprenticed with the Stanton Iron Works Co
1901 Living in Ilkeston: Thomas F. Hardyman (age 16 born Ilkeston), Iron Pipe Moulder. In the house of his grandmother Joan Hardyman.[1]
Employed by Ashwell and Nesbit
Employed by Brush Electrical Engineering Co
1909 Joined Petters as Foundry Manager and managed the building of the new Westland foundry.
1911 Living at the Alexandra Hotel, Yeovil: Thomas Frederick Hardyman (age 26 born Ilkeston), Foundry Manager. With his wife Ethel Emma Hardyman (age 27 born Yeovil).[2]
1939 Living at Repton, Derbyshire, Foundry (Iron) Manager. With Ethel E. Hardyman and Joan Hardyman.[3]
1963 September 24th. Died.
His grandson writes-[4]
These are a few recollections from the past Fred Hardyman died in 1964 age 69.
He was appointed foundry manager at Petters in 1909 as someone with the experience to carry out the expansion they required. When out for a walk one Sunday afternoon he came across a farm with a railway line adjoining, just right for a new large foundry with rail line just right for materials in and products out, he put this to the board they took up the idea with enthusiasm, just one problem money! They hit on the idea of approaching a local man of some wealth the name of Mr Moor he agreed to help the farm was purchased 75 acres this land came in useful in the war as by this time they were producing aircraft they had their own airfield.
A problem arose soon after the outbreak of the 1914 war they producing a great deal for the war effort, Mr Moor took exception to this as he was a member of the Plymouth Brethren, he wanted his money out this was not difficult to repay him as they were producing vast quantities for the war effort.
Fred Hardyman drew up all the plans for the new foundry which extended to 7 acres. It was claimed that James Petter drew the plans - not so he signed them off as he was an architect.
At the time this foundry went into production it was reputed to be the largest in Europe if not the world, not bad going for someone who's mother died when he was 9 years old and his father went off to Canada.