Historian and CovSoc member, Peter James, tells us the story of an important Coventry engineer Thomas George John, the founder of Alvis. Peter writes…….
Early Life
Thomas George John was born the son of a shipwright at Pembroke Dock where his father worked in the naval dockyard. After leaving school he became an apprentice marine engineer at the dockyard and secured two scholarships to the Royal College of Science. By his mid-twenties he had reached a level of professional distinction: He was a Member of the Institute of Civil Engineers, Member of the Institute of Company Accountants, Member of the Institute of Motor Engineers and an Associate of the Royal College of Science London
Shipbuilding
He progressed at renowned shipbuilders including Harland and Wolf then Vickers at Barrow in Furness where he became Shipyard Manager in 1911. John was instrumental in the design & development aspects of D and E Class submarines. In October 1910 the Royal Navy submarine D3 was launched by Vickers then the UK’s sole builders of submarines. For reasons which even today are unclear Thomas George John resigned from his position in the later part of 1915.
Move to Coventry
In December 1915 Thomas John applied for a position as an engineer at the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Company in Coventry. After an interview with John Siddeley the Managing Director he was accepted and began work on New Years Day 1916. Later in that year Thomas, his wife Louie and daughter moved into a house named Ferndale in Manor Road Coventry.
Siddeley-Deasy had ceased car production in 1914 at the outset of WW1, but received their first aviation order for 300 aero engines in 1915. John played a key role in the development of an 8-cylinder aero engine for the RAF.
Outside of work he became a member of the Athletic and Social Club Committee and contributed articles for an Employees Magazine.
He left after F.M Green had joined from RAF Farnborough and become Chief Engineer.
New Venture
By March 1919 Thomas and his brother-in-law William Rees Senior acquired Holley Brothers & Company an American carburettor manufacturer. They had offices in Hertford Street and a factory in Holyhead Road Coventry. The company manufactured stationary engines which were marketed as the Electra. By 1921 the new company were building motor cars and trading as the Alvis Car & Engineering Co. Ltd.
During his days at Siddeley-Deasy, John had met Captain George Thomas Smith-Clarke a government inspector of aero engine production. In 1922 they became re-acquainted with Smith-Clarke becoming employed as Chief Engineer. This marked the beginning of a successful partnership in the development of Alvis motor cars. The Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit opened in 1907, saw significant Alvis achievements throughout the 1920s. After success at Le Mans in 1928 Alvis introduced highly innovative front wheel drive cars which were built until 1931.
T G John wrote this article in Autocar in the late 1920s :-
“We compete in racing with definite objects in view: To gain knowledge which is of much value in improving the breed of our standard productions. To make known the name of our company and create goodwill for it. Because our performance, even if we lose, gives pleasure to a great number of supporters and owners of Alvis cars. Because it is excellent training for our mechanics who make the racing cars and the good so derived permeates our factory. Because it creates a wonderful ‘esprit de corps’ amongst our workpeople and staff.”
Home Life
John moved to Kenilworth in 1934 when he bought Rouncil Towers described as a Victorian mansion. His home became a hub for entertaining hosting fellow competitors like Ettore Bugatti and Andre Citroen. Other guests included sportsmen, actors and devoted Alvis car owners. His main interest outside work was horse riding which took place locally as well as on the continent particularly in Eastern Europe.
Later Years
In 1936 the factory at Holyhead Road was extended to include the research, development and production of aero engines and military fighting vehicles. As chairman, John shifted his focus from engineering to management, finance and policy matters. Ill health led to his retirement in 1944 and he moved to London. He passed away at his home, Dunster Lodge on Putney Hill on 9th August 1946 at the age 66.
Achievements
Alvis gained a reputation for high quality, technically advanced luxury cars during the 1920s and 1930s.
From stationary engines T.G. John ventured into new markets, firstly cars then aero engines and later fighting vehicles.
Thomas John is commemorated by a blue plaque on a terraced house at 6 Church Street, Pembroke Dock where he was born in 1880.
