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Local knowledge needed - architectural research

P

peterppp

New Member
Dear all,

I am currently conducting architectural research on five émigré architects from Czechoslovakia who came to the UK in 1939.

One of these architects was assisted by the RIBA Refugee Committee in immigrating to the UK in 1939.

During World War II, he worked as a designer for Radiation Ltd in Aston, Birmingham (at their office in Radiation House, Thimble Mill Lane, Aston). Do you know if any archives exist that might contain company documents from that time?

He worked there at least from 1944 to 1945. His home address, which I found, was "Windridge," 53 Hill Village Road, Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham. Is there any register where I can find out how long he lived at that address?

I would be very grateful for any information or feedback.
 
Welcome to BHF Peter! Can you tell us their name? I don't know if you are aware of the conference last year? https://www.architecture.com/whats-...ink-of-the-second-world-war-hybrid-conference

Press cuttings for Radiation Ltd are available online. https://dfg-viewer.de/show/?tx_dlf[id]=https://pm20.zbw.eu/folder/co/0565xx/056553/public.mets

Coventry Archives hold the financial reports and details of directors.
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/58f4fa46-36a6-48a3-b7b3-a4a54ce52e03

The National Archives have extensive records of Czechoslovakian Refugees to the UK 1939-1975. https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.u...ovakian-refugees-to-the-uk-from-1939-to-1975/
 
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Stokkie said:
Welcome to BHF Peter! Can you tell us their name? I don't know if you are aware of the conference last year? https://www.architecture.com/whats-...ink-of-the-second-world-war-hybrid-conference

Press cuttings for Radiation Ltd are available online. https://dfg-viewer.de/show/?tx_dlf[id]=https://pm20.zbw.eu/folder/co/0565xx/056553/public.mets

Coventry Archives hold the financial reports and details of directors.
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/58f4fa46-36a6-48a3-b7b3-a4a54ce52e03

The National Archives have extensive records of Czechoslovakian Refugees to the UK 1939-1975. https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.u...ovakian-refugees-to-the-uk-from-1939-to-1975/
Click to expand...

Thank you for your feedback and your recommendations - much appreciated.
I was lucky enough to be one of the speakers at that RIBA conference.
The National Archives is such a special place, and I spent a few days reviewing the refugee files.

Thank you for pointing me to the Coventry Archives — I will try to check for any details there.
 
In February 1956 The Birmingham Post has an article about exiles from Eastern Europe and quotes architect names such as Dr. Lev Sychrava ano Eduardo Genes, Political Intrigue !
 
Thanks Peter. I can appreciate that you might not wish to disclose names if you are intending to publish. You know that there are registers of aliens in wartime Britain? Some took British citizenship, others might have avoided being sent to Czechoslovakia after the war.

This might help: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/immigration/

Ancestry has records of ships and passengers.

There could be no wartime census. but there is a 1939 register. Impossible to find without a name, but available via Ancestry.

Do you know if your architect took British citizenship or was returned or indeed travelled to another country? They would keep records.

Hope this helps.
 
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Not sure if this helps or not but on the 1939 register a Mrs Alice Heaton is listed at number 53. (There is a blanked entry underneath but I have no idea what that says). It looks as if she later marries a Mr Colley so I am guessing she was a widow.
1737369976362.png

She is also listed in the 1940 Kelly's directory (relating to data from 1939) and the latest I can access onine
1737370081430.png
 
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Looks as if she married in 1940 to an Alfred G De G Colley - no other details.

Listed in 1945 phone book under his name at the same address
1737370989624.png
 
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