Miles Thomas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sir (William) Miles Webster Thomas, Baron Thomas of Remenham, known as Sir Miles Thomas, or Lord Thomas, DFC (2 March 1897[1] – 8 February 1980) was Managing Director of the Morris Motor Company, 1940–1947, Chairman of the British Overseas Airways Corporation (later to become British Airways), 1949–1956[2], Chairman of the merger broker Chesham Amalgamations[3], and President and Chairman of the National Savings Committee.[4]
He went to Bromsgrove School in Worcestershire, England. Following his school days, during which time his major interests were engineering and transport, he entered World War I, by joining an Armoured Car Squadron. After fighting through the German East African Campaign, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps qualifying for his wings in Egypt. He subsequently served with an operational squadron in Mesopotamia, Persia and South Russia, being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for aerial combat and low ground strafing. After the First World War, he became associated with William Morris, Lord Nuffield and in 1941, became Chairman of the Cruiser Tank Production Group and a member of the Government's Advisory Committee. He was knighted in 1943.[5]
Thomas had his autobiography published in 1964.
Thomas was created Baron Thomas, of Remenham in the Royal County of Berkshire on 29 January 1971 (a life peerage).[6]
[edit] References
- Thomas, Miles (1964). Out on a Wing: An Autobiography. Michael Joseph, London.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Life Peerages. Retrieved on 2007-08-26.
- ^ The History Of The British Airways Museum - 1987. Retrieved on 2007-06-20.
- ^ The Story of Chesham Amalgamations. Retrieved on 2007-06-20.
- ^ Janus: The Papers of Enoch Powell. Retrieved on 2007-06-20.
- ^ Thomas, Sir Miles, The Impact of the Jet in World Aviation. Retrieved on 2007-08-25.
- ^ thePeerage.com - Harry Bernard Taylor, Baron Taylor of Mansfield and others. Retrieved on 2007-08-26.