David HOwroyd and the Sterling sub machine gun

[tankhunter]

Pete, Time occasionally Dulls the Mind Mate! Yes indeed, George Pattchett. A HUGE Man
Who used to ride into work on a Brough Superior Motorcycle.

He also invented a Rubber Armoured Torch Frank informed Me. His criteria for testing if it worked was. The usual sand & Ice Bath treatment left over the weekend. Then come in on Monday, get up on the roof of the factory. & drop the torch from the roof onto the hard Standing of the car park!
If it worked after this, it was good to go! My how times have changed in this throw away world!.....

Sterling's also manufactured cylinder vacuum cleaners prior to Making the Sterling Range.
Another little known fact.

Tales from that area of manufacturing are quite amusing I can tell you!

[Gil Boyd]

Tanky,
He was one of my heroes and led me into the world of inventing stuff for the Police and Military, and you are absolutely right, those types of tests are frowned on these days, but by Christ they were the defining moment, and the only real way to ensure something worked properly used by grunts who needed indestructability at their finger tips.

That was certainly one of my series of tests when I supplied torches to the Military for Iraq & Afghanistan. I ceased production last year as we pulled out of Afghanistan but it was a torch I prided myself on, as it couldnt be broken. I kept it fitted with a Xenon bulb so that IR filters in 940nm could be used over the front to support NVG's. It saved countless EOD lives illuminating trip wires.
So in short, yes inventing is a given and its always there in individuals who have the knowledge and the patience to succeed!

[David TS]

It was GEORGE Patchett Mike!! Went to David Howroyds funeral last week and re-met up with many of the old and the bold from the Patchett, Howroyd, List families and James Edmiston who took the Sterling Co to great heights and rocketing world wide sales

If anyone wants to read the continuation of The Sterling Years by James Edmiston, read THE STERLING REDEMPTION, Pen and Sword books 47 Church Street Barnsley, S70 2AS. You won't believe what you are reading................

Thanks Peter, I just picked up a secondhand copy of The Sterling Redemption off eBay for the princely sum of £2.98! Looking forward to reading it

[tankhunter]

David just done similar, but mine cost Me a fiver. Plus P&P of £3.82p. So I got 'Stung' for £8.82p in Total!.....

Mind you, on the plus side, it is signed by the Author! so YAY!

[Peter Laidler]

To be really honest, the real inventor that Sterling had was Bert List from List Engineering who they told me was the real brains behind the L34/Mk5 '.....and other silencers' that they were not keen to elaborate on. List carried out the SKN programme for the No4's and Brens in the 50's

The Sterling redemption........ You will not believe what you are going to read

[David TS]

David just done similar, but mine cost Me a fiver. Plus P&P of £3.82p. So I got 'Stung' for £8.82p in Total!.....

Mind you, on the plus side, it is signed by the Author! so YAY!

Now I'm jealous

[mrclark303]

OK. You've got my attention, buying one too now!

[Lee Enfield]

David Howroyd & Bill Patchett. Two engineering Visionaries. That are now no longer with us, Sadly.

I knew the Designer Frank Waters as a Personal Friend also. Frank left Sterling's & Worked for the same company that I did. A few years back.

The tales He regaled Me with of Bill Patchett had to be heard to be believed!
What a Man! & what an Inventor!

It was GEORGE Patchett Mike!! Went to David Howroyds funeral last week and re-met up with many of the old and the bold from the Patchett, Howroyd, List families and James Edmiston who took the Sterling Co to great heights and rocketing world wide sales

If anyone wants to read the continuation of The Sterling Years by James Edmiston, read THE STERLING REDEMPTION, Pen and Sword books 47 Church Street Barnsley, S70 2AS. You won't believe what you are reading................

George William Patchett born 23 Dec. 1901 Nottingham, died 31 Dec. 1974 Cannes

[Peter Laidler]

Yes....., George Patchett retired on the costs and compensation he was awarded following his taking the Government to court after they decided to make L2A3 guns at Fazakerley without telling or asking Sterling. They said that it was an oversight. Others call it downright piracy. The real rub is that Sterling, especially during the Edmiston period were quite amenable to allowing overseas manufacture, for free, with certain conditions. NO onward sales! India didn't quite stick by the agreement but not in a big was, or sufficient to cause financial pain. Australia copied the magazines for the F1 by agreement and Canada made guns by agreement and simplified production by agreement BUT were required to purchase identical parts from Sterling (such as butts, pistol grips, barrels) and future spare parts) and no onward sales. Canada were the only nation to stick to the agreement to the letter.

Even following the court case, Enfield continued manufacture of barrels and return spring caps to name two items that spring to mind.....

[Gil Boyd]

Peter,
Very sad tale indeed, but I know we have all been subject to "big brothers" wishes ourselves.
They want the solution but don't care how it arrives at their door.

They did the same to me over my torch, so totally aware of their panderings!!! I am being really kind here in what I say.
I saw the same with Parker Hale over the L96/M85 issues, it was tragic, where both English companies could have benefitted from a joint venture