The Diary makes little reference to Robert over the remaining months of
1944. What entries exist are largely concerned with general ‘housekeeping’
and keeping things running smoothly. To some extent the pressure was now
‘off’ the Laboratories because D-Day was a successful event which everyone
recognised must surely lead to Germany’s eventual and inevitable defeat. And
so it was; by December the Allies had entered Cherbourg and Caen, landed in
southern France, entered Paris, captured Antwerp, liberated Brussels and
Calais, and crossed the German frontier at Trier. The final German heavy
warship the Tirpitz was sunk on 12 November, and as Germany made a last
desperate effort to break out at the ‘Battle of the Bulge’ in Ardennes during
December, Robert and Miss Lock brought in their six months valve
pre-production returns (Apr-Sept) to Paterson. At noon on 22 December, the
Laboratories closed for four days over Christmas. Paterson’s final entry for the
year was a simple personal observation viz.,
Saturday – this ends the year which has been wonderful in achieving what
seemed to be impossibilities. People are tired through the demands which
Plate 17.11 The 34 ‘founding fathers in February 1944, a photograph taken in the
Library of GEC Wembley. There are actually 36 people in the photograph, the two
additional are probably original clerical staff at the time. Photograph courtesy of the
Institution of Engineering and Technology
1
17 The GEC Laboratories 1939–1949
441
1944. What entries exist are largely concerned with general ‘housekeeping’
and keeping things running smoothly. To some extent the pressure was now
‘off’ the Laboratories because D-Day was a successful event which everyone
recognised must surely lead to Germany’s eventual and inevitable defeat. And
so it was; by December the Allies had entered Cherbourg and Caen, landed in
southern France, entered Paris, captured Antwerp, liberated Brussels and
Calais, and crossed the German frontier at Trier. The final German heavy
warship the Tirpitz was sunk on 12 November, and as Germany made a last
desperate effort to break out at the ‘Battle of the Bulge’ in Ardennes during
December, Robert and Miss Lock brought in their six months valve
pre-production returns (Apr-Sept) to Paterson. At noon on 22 December, the
Laboratories closed for four days over Christmas. Paterson’s final entry for the
year was a simple personal observation viz.,
Saturday – this ends the year which has been wonderful in achieving what
seemed to be impossibilities. People are tired through the demands which
Plate 17.11 The 34 ‘founding fathers in February 1944, a photograph taken in the
Library of GEC Wembley. There are actually 36 people in the photograph, the two
additional are probably original clerical staff at the time. Photograph courtesy of the
Institution of Engineering and Technology
1
17 The GEC Laboratories 1939–1949
441