Amazing what you learn

[andy190]

Apparently my Great-Grandfather's brother invented the Deck Chair.

ENGLISHMAN John Thomas Moore took out a patent for an adjustable folding chair made of wood and fabric in 1886.

He started manufacturing his chairs in Macclesfield, Cheshire, and they fast began appearing on the passenger decks of several British ocean going liners - including the doomed Titanic.

Soon they became an essential part of British piers, beaches, promenades, cricket grounds, croquet lawns and back gardens.

I also read (Can't find the link now) that 600 of them were on the Titanic & one which was used as a makeshift life raft sold for around $30000 in 2007.

[expat]

It is always nice to find out family history. My grand father was awarded the MBE for his work in the RAF with regard to installation of the in-flight refuelling prototype set up in the the Vulcan test bed and for designing an exhaust for the English Electric Lightning starter because in hot climates, the ambient heat would hinder the heat dissipation of the starter exhaust gases and cause aircraft skin damage. Well, so my grandmother told me..?? He was not a big talker. But what ever the reason, his medal is in our coffee table and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Phil the Greek's signatures are hanging on my dinning room wall 8-)

Matt

PS Now it has got me thinking, is it possible to find out the reason that someone is awarded an honour, it must be recorded and archived by some government body????