Frederick Gilbert Mitchell

Frederick Gilbert Mitchell (20 January 1884[1] – 8 October 1962) was an English civil engineer and businessman who founded a major international construction business and promoted the development of a new range of helicopters.

Biography

Born on 20 January 1884, in London, Mitchell became an apprentice on the railways at age 14.[2] After working for a firm of consulting engineers as a draughtsman, he joined the engineering firm of Fraser and Chalmers.[2] During World War I he worked as a civilian troubleshooter for Lord Kitchener.[2] After the War Mitchell established an engineering business in London supplying coal handling plant and boilers for power stations.[2] In 1933, he diversified into construction activities founding Mitchell Construction which focused on the construction of power stations[2] and which, after his death, was to become one of the largest construction companies in the UK.[3]

His passion was sailing and in 1931 he became Commodore of the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club where he was responsible for completing the new clubhouse at Burnham-on-Crouch.[4] During the 1950s, Mitchell's business expanded rapidly enabling him to acquire a former minesweeper and restore it.[5] He instituted the Finn Gold Cup for the Finn Class of Sailing in 1956.[6]

In 1960, Mitchell together with J.S. Shapiro established Rotorcraft, a business which developed the Grasshopper series of helicopters.[7]

Mitchell married Hilda Butcher in 1911, having two sons.[8] Their eldest son Roy was a sailor who competed in the 1960 Olympics later succeeding his father as chairman of Mitchell Engineering Ltd.[9]

Mitchell lived at Clopton Manor in Northamptonshire. He died in hospital in Zürich, on 8 October 1962, aged 78.[10]

References

1. 1939 England and Wales Register
2. "F. G. Mitchell". New Scientist. 5 March 1959. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
3. Peterborough Council: What's in store for the Bridge House mural? Archived 20 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine
4. "History". Corinthian Otters. Archived from the original on 24 August 2009. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
5. "Ocean Mist". Edinburgh today. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
6. "Finn Class". International Finn Association. Archived from the original on 7 May 2006. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
7. "The new Cierva Twins". Flight Global. 1972. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
8. "Frederick Gilbert Mitchell - Graces Guide". www.gracesguide.co.uk. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
9. "LEADERS OF BRITISH INDUSTRY: ROY MITCHELL". The Sphere. No. 3287. 1 June 1963. p. 28. Retrieved 28 December 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
10. England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966, 1973-1995