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.

Career

Born in London, Mitchell became an apprentice on the railways at the age of 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, they had two sons.[8] Their eldest son Roy was a competitive sailor who competed in the 1960 Olympics; he later succeeded his father as chairman of Mitchell Engineering Ltd.[9]

Mitchell lived at Clopton Manor in Northamptonshire. He died in hospital in Zürich, Switzerland, in 1962.[10]

References

  1. ↑ 1939 England and Wales Register
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "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


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