Mr J K Lightfoot's funeral, English Electric Co., Stafford

Description:Employees from English Electric’s Stafford Works are assembled along the Lichfield Road in Stafford to pay their last respects to Mr J. (Jimmy) K. Lightfoot.

Following an apprenticeship with the Castner-Kellner Company, Mr Lightfoot became a marine engineer which involved overseas travel. In 1937 he joined the Outside Department at English Electric’s Rugby Works and travelled to various countries including Bermuda and the U.S.A. In October 1951 Mr Lightfoot was appointed Superintendent of the Heavy Electrical Plant at the Stafford Works where he soon established a reputation for courage, determination and devotion to duty. For his services to Industry, he was awarded the M.B.E. in January 1958 and later on the formation of the Electrical Machines Division he became Works Manager. Mr Lightfoot was very interested in sport and had been President of the football and swimming sections and also the cricket club supporters association. In addition he had also been President of the Stafford Works Apprentices Association and later President of the Craft Apprentices Association.

Acknowledgement: English Electric’s Electrical Machines Division, 1964 News Sheet No. 5.

The Stafford factory was renowned for its electrical products including generators, transformers and switchgear. Siemens Brothers purchased the land in 1901 and built the factory and offices which were ready to start production in 1903. In 1918 Siemens merged with several companies, including Dick, Kerr and Co., to become the English Electric Co. Two years later in 1920, The English Electric Co bought the Stafford Works. The English Electric Co merged with GEC (The General Electric Company) during 1968 and the Lichfield Road Site became part of GEC Power Engineering Ltd. On 22 March 1989 became part of GEC ALSTHOM, an Anglo French Joint Venture. On 22 June 1998 became part of ALSTOM with global HQ in Paris and on 2 November 2015 the Stafford Grid and Power Businesses became part of GE (General Electric, an American Company).