My father, Harold Nockolds by Roy Nockolds.

Mentioned in despatches 1943

Gwen Nockolds, my Aunt, getting married to Ronald Howard. The marriage did not last and Gwen was single most of her life. She was a fine singer, seamstress and bon viveur. She ran The Steering Wheel Club in London's Shepherd's Market for some years.

When Gwen came to stay my sister and I used to get into bed with her in the morning for tea and Lincoln Cream biscuits. Her nails were always beautifully manicured and her skin soft as a rose petal.

This book by my father was published in 1980 and is the story of the RFD Group. RFD were the leading producers of inflatable dinghies and liferafts during World War 11, being instrumental in saving countless Allied airmen when they had to “ditch” their aircraft in the sea. Today RFD supply liferafts for airliners globally as well as for ships of every kind and for navies around the world.

When my father was trying to think of a title for this book my mother came up with the idea of using the RFD initials
for RESCUE FROM DISASTER

QUOTE FROM BACK FLYLEAF OF BOOK:
Harold Nockolds, the author of this fascinating company biography, is well known for his authoritative history of Rolls-Royce, THE MAGIC OF A NAME, which was first published in 1938 and has been reprinted many times. In recent years he has produced LUCAS – THE FIRST 100 YEARS, published in two volumes by David & Charles, and has edited THE COACKMAKERS, the official history of the Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harnessmakers.

An article by my father about an Alpine Motor Rally from The Times House Journal, 1952.

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