Sir Henry Royce Frederick Henry Royce was born in Alwalton, Huntingdonshire, near Peterborough, the son of James and Mary Royce and was the youngest of their five children. Some readers may know very little about Sir Henry. Others would know quite a lot about him. But it is worth recording again some of his history and, by extension, that of Rolls-Royce. Frederick Henry Royce was born on 27 March 1863. Not into a wealthy family, but as the son of a miller. Commencing work as a telegram delivery boy, he was later apprenticed to the Great Northern Railway. Royce was interested in electricity, and developed his knowledge of this industry at night school. He formed F. H. Royce and Co. in 1884 when he was twenty-one. That Company manufactured dynamos and electric cranes; parts of one of the latter were acquired by the Foundation. In 1903 Royce bought a small Decauville car manufactured in France, and set about improving it to his standards. This led to the production of a 10hp, 2-cylinder automobile he named ‘Royce’, which first ran on 1 April 1904. Two more cars of the same type and specifications were produced, and of the three, only the engine of one remains in the Manchester Museum. The Honourable Charles Stewart Rolls met Frederick Henry Royce (as he then was) in May 1904. Rolls, a pioneer motorist and car salesman, was impressed with Royce and his car, so they subsequently formed Rolls-Royce Limited in April 1906. The first 40/50hp, 6-cylinder car – a model retrospectively known as the ‘Silver Ghost’ after the most famous example of the type – made its appearance in November 1906, and with many improvements in its design, was produced for the next nineteen years. At the outbreak of the First World War, Sir Henry turned his energies to aero engines, and a long line of superb aero engines was begun. First came the Eagle, then the Hawk, followed by the Falcon and Condor. More than half of the Allied aircraft in that war flew with Rolls-Royce engines, all designed by Sir Henry. Nearly seven months after the war ended, John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown in a Vickers Vimy biplane fitted with two Rolls-Royce Eagle engines completed the first aerial crossing of the Atlantic. Subsequently, the Kestrel aero engine was produced, which in turn led to the ‘R’ engine for the 1931 Schneider Trophy races, and ultimately, the Merlin V-12 powerplant based on the design of the ‘R’ engine. In all his designs Sir Henry Royce demonstrated an attention to detail never previously seen in the automotive and aeronautical worlds. His work ethic was inspired by his personal motto: Quidvis recte factum quamvis humile præclarum (Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble). Today, there are many fine examples of Royce’s determination to strive for perfection in engineering. The principal objective of the Sir Henry Royce Foundation, Australia is to honour Sir Henry's life and work, to publicise, preserve and maintain examples of his engineering genius, and perpetuate his engineering philosophy, namely the pursuit of excellence. He was named Baronet Royce of Seaton (Rutland) on June 26, 1930. The barontcy became extinct when he died. In 1962 a memorial window dedicated to his memory was unveiled in Westminster Abbey the only time an engineer has been honored in this way. Click on the audio link below to listen to a very interesting 12 minute audio on Sir Henry from the Grace Gibson radio series 'Famous Fortunes’. This enjoyable series can be obtained through their website (www.gracegibsonradio.com ). Well worth listening to. The Foundation is grateful and acknowledges the permission granted by Grace Gibson Productions to bring you this audio classic. Famous Fortunes - Episode 19 00:00 / 00:00 SHRF - Sir Henry Royce (as told by Russell Rolls) Play Video Sir Henry Royce Watch Now Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Share Channel Info Close

Fred Engish Photography Award Winners

Fred Engish Photography Award Winners

Fred Engish Photography Award Winners

About the Foundation The Inspiration In all his designs Sir Henry Royce (1863-1933) demonstrated an attention to detail never previously seen in the automotive and aeronautical worlds. His motto was his engineering standard: Quidvis recte factum quamvis humile præclarum (Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble). ‘Rightly done’ are the key words in the Rolls-Royce ethos, and there are many fine examples of Royce’s determination to strive for perfection. He was also guided by the philosophy: ‘Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it.’ Establishment of the Foundation The Sir Henry Royce Foundation was created from a discussion at the 1995 Federal Rally of the Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club of Australia. It was proposed that a stand-alone body be created to preserve the heritage of the past in relation to items manufactured by Rolls-Royce and Bentley, the history of the Founders (Sir Henry Royce, The Hon C.S. Rolls and W.O. Bentley), and all printed material relating to the Company’s automobiles and aircraft engines. It all started when David Ekberg.....click here for full story . The Objects of the Foundation The Charitable Objects of the Foundation are for the advancement of the science and technology of mechanical engineering for the public benefit and the advancement of education in such ways as the Trustees in their absolute discretion think fit, including:Making available for study and research purposes the corpus of the published and unpublished work of the late Sir Henry Royce and by promoting and providing facilities for such study and research and for the study of the history and development of the pursuit of excellence in the science of mechanical engineering; Click to read more .... The Strategic Outlook of the Foundation The Charitable Objects of the Foundation include: “The advancement of the science and technology of mechanical engineering for the public benefit; and the advancement of education”. In particular, The Foundation seeks to promote the engineering ideals of Sir Henry Royce. To view the Strategic Outlook of the Foundation please visit: Foundation Strategic Outlook Opening of the Lionel Gell School of Instruction for Rolls-Royce and Bentley Owners Policies Collection Policy Conservation / Preservation Policy Trust Deed SHRF - The Foundation (as told by Russell Rolls) Play Video The Foundation Watch Now Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Share Channel Info Close

Foundation Financials Financial Statement for the Year ending 30th June 2024 Financial Statement for the Year ending 30th June 2023 Financial Statement for the Year ending 30th June 2022 Financial Statement for the Year ending 30th June 2021 Financial Statement for the Year ending 30th June 2020

Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Body as held in the archives of the Sir Henry Royce Foundation. Silver Ghost Body 'THE DREAMER' Australian Designed and Built Coachwork for 1911 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, chassis no. 1524. This superb coachwork was built by the late Charles Wright of Adelaide (1912-2003). It demonstrates Charles Wright’s philosophy that owners of Rolls-Royce vehicles have a duty “to rescue, restore and maintain them in as nearly as possible their original condition for their like will not be seen again”. Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost chassis number 1524 went on test on 1 February 1911. The chassis was dispatched to Messrs. Hooper & Co Limited (Coachbuilders) to be fitted with limousine coachwork described as “Like His Majesty the King’s.” On 9 May 1912, 1524 was sold “as is, second-hand ex Royalty, with Hooper Limousine like the Kings [sic]” to Charles Angas Esq of Collingrove, Angaston, South Australia. Before taking delivery Mr Angas had constructed on the chassis a new and beautiful Brougham body by the bodybuilder Grosvenor. On shipment to Australia in 1913, 1524 was used by the Angas family for many years. The Grosvenor body was later removed and the vehicle was used as a farm utility until 1963 when purchased by Charles Wright who, over the next 22 years, painstakingly overhauled the chassis and built this replica brougham coachwork. Because Mrs Angas, a back seat passenger, would be lulled to sleep when travelling in 1524, Mr Angas named the car "The Dreamer". This body was removed by a later owner and donated to the Foundation. Australian Designed and Built Coachwork for 1911 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, chassis no. 1524. Australian Designed and Built Coachwork for 1911 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, chassis no. 1524. Australian Designed and Built Coachwork for 1911 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, chassis no. 1524. Australian Designed and Built Coachwork for 1911 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, chassis no. 1524. 1/5

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