KEN F - CLIFFORD HMV - ERNEST W - HERBERT E (left to right) SAMSON & HERCULES BALLROOM 1959

Herbert E, was an electrical enthusiast and an apprentice in this trade with Mann Egerton. He later opened his first small workshop in Thorn Lane Norwich, as an electrical engineer in 1922.

1931 saw the opening of his first small shop,at St Giles' Gate, Norwich, selling radio receivers, and supplying public address equipment for hire,some of which was later used by King George V at Stody Hall Norfolk.

He was then joined by his brother Ernest W, who was in the business until his retirement. Also in 1931 The Soman-Wherry Press designed the yaxleys logo.

1936 By then yaxleys had moved into larger premises, with large showroom, workshop, and stores, also situated at St Giles' Gate, and employing an electrician and radio engineer, this growth continued until the outbreak of war in 1939, by which time they were also selling refrigerators, one of the first in Norwich.

Prior to 1939, Herbert E, continued his interest in public address, and then was making his own amplifiers, fitted with Partridge Transformers.

In 1938 he learned to fly with the Civil Air Guard, at the Norfolk & Norwich Aero Club, and gained his Pilot's Certificate on the 31 st July 1939. Learning to fly this way was not expensive, the catch being, at the outbreak of war, you were immediately called up!

1939 With the outbreak of war, Ernest W, joined the R.A.F. as a radar operator, and served time at the Lands End site Cornwall, and R.A.F Kailana India.

Herbert E was called to Air Ministry, and was told he was to be trained as a Link Trainer instructor, following this he was promoted to F/Sgt and posted to R.A.F. Station Waddington, which later received the first Lancasters. Squadrons 44-207-420 (RCAF)-9-1506 B.A.J.F, learning how to fly on a beam was compulsory for Pilots.

1940 Ken F, a schoolboy, the son of the founder, was asked by his father, if he and his mother could try to keep the business going until his return! Which they did.

1942 During the Norwich blitz, on the night of 29/30 April, yaxleys received a direct hit and was damaged beyond repair. Herbert E was granted 7 days compassionate leave, during this time he negotiated with the owners of his first small shop, if he could use it. This they kindly agreed to.

In his spare time, Ken F had joined the Civil Defence as a messenger boy, on night duty at the Report Centre, two or three times a week, like many young men was mad about motor cycles, on his sixteenth birthday purchased his first, no test required in those days! so was made a dispatch rider.

Ken F continued with the business until December 1945, when he was called for service in the R.A.F. as ut/motor transport at 16MU Stafford. After short training, which consisted of "can you drive"was posted to R.A.F. Felixstowe The Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment, where he became the C/Os driver, and remembers meeting the Air Officer Commanding the Group, on his arrival at Martlesham Heath, piloting his own Dakota, and then driving him to Felixstowe for his Annual inspection.

1987 Building of the Museum started, all but the shell, was designed and built by Ken F over a period of fourteen years, including the displays. And was opened by David Clayton of BBC Radio Norfolk on the 19 th June 2001.

1989 Marlborough Road premises closed, and the business was moved to the Museum Site.

2001 7 th April, Ken F was made an Honorary Member of the Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers Ltd.

He feels most honoured by this recognition from the Institute, for which he is most grateful.

2002 Ken F and his wife Jo continue to run yaxleys, together with Ralph. Installing new systems is now a pleasure and not a necessity, especially as many of these are related to Church systems, having installed a great number throughout Norfolk and Suffolk during the past sixty years. We are very proud that we have been trusted with this work for such a long time, and continue to do so. The most recent being the new Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital Chapel.

SHOWROOM 1935

THIS IS NOW THE INNER RING ROAD, NORWICH

1932 The Wireless Retailers Association

1938 The Norwich & District Electrical Development Circle

1942 The Register of Radio & Television Retailers Ltd

1950 Electrical Contractors Association Incorporated

1950 The Radio & Television Retailers Association

1964 Association of Public Address Engineers About the APAE

1948 - 1965 The inaugural meeting of the Association took place on Wednesday, April 21 st 1948, at the offices of National Sound Reproducers in Ealing Road, Wembley, when eight " P.A. Engineers " got together to discuss the formation of the Association we see today. Of these original eight there are only two remaining in the P.A. Business: Mr. Cecil Clarabut, the present Chairman who has held that office since 1948 with the exception of the year he served as President, and the Honorary Secretary, Alex. J. Walker.

It is strange perhaps that the idea of our Association sprang from a meeting Mr. Clarabut had with Mr Walker when they discussed such things as the poor quality of P.A. in those days, cut throat competition by people who had little or no technical knowledge, and above all the fact that no one knew each other in the Industry which was in those days the Cinderella of the Radio Industry.

The going has not been at all easy, in fact for years every penny received was devoted to getting more members and to advertising what we were trying to do. We were very fortunate in getting Mr. A. R. Williams, M.C. who was at that time Managing Director of Grampian Reproducers Ltd., to join the Association and support the efforts we were making, he was the First President we elected and the installation ceremony was carried out at Radiolympia in 1949 when we put round his neck a cardboard badge of the Association suspended on blue ribbon for the benefit of photographers. It was some years before we were able to place a beautiful President's Jewel and collarette round a President's neck but this was made possible by Mr. Andrew Buchan of Aberdeen after he had served as President, in 1954.

The Association has a number of members abroad, and it would appear that the largest number in any country abroad is Australia. We have appointed a leading P.A. Engineer as our Australian representative and he is promoting a membership campaign in that country, so that it will be seen that our efforts have not been confined to Great Britain.

From the early days it was decided to hold annually an Exhibition of our Manufacturer members' products. This is always held to coincide with the Annual General meeting when many of the members can get together and have a useful natter. The First Exhibition was held at the Horseshoe Hotel in Tottenham Court Road, London, on May 31 st 1950, and exhibitions have been held annually making this year's Golden Jubilee effort the 16 th Annual Exhibition.

Three years ago the then President, Mr. Maurice, the Managing Director of Lustraphone Ltd., launched the A.P.A.E. Benevolent Fund by donating 25 guineas. During the past three years the fund has raised to date over £470, the object of the Fund was to enable the Association to assist any member or his dependents with financial aid in time of need, after of course, due enquiry, of a sum not exceeding 25 guineas, if additional assistance is required a special meeting of the Council can be called to consider any such additional help.

The Association has published, from time to time, technical information in the Journal, as well as the Technical Service Library which is operated by Mr. Hayden Warren at Luton in Bedfordshire.

Reproduced from A.P.A.E. Journal 1965

Dedication to Public Address 1942