Recognised for jet design role

Pearl Beach resident Mr Les Freeman was honoured with a recognition award by Rolls Royce Aero Engine Controls at a luncheon held at the Crowne Plaza in Terrigal on Saturday, November 17.

Mr Freeman was presented with the award from UK managing director Mr Chris Weir to acknowledge his design contribution to the development of the jet engine between 1942 and 1948.

The award, which was immersed in a resin mould, contained a smaller version of the jet engine part that Mr Freeman designed.

Born in 1915 in Coventry, UK, Mr Freeman said he grew up in a happy family environment where he and his brother Frank spent many enjoyable times roaming, camping and exploring the countryside.

In the early 30s, Frank purchased an old motorbike which he and Les stripped down.

Mr Freeman said working on the old motorbike was what began his love affair with engines.

The boys then moved onto cars and joined Riley Cars Limited.

Les then joined SS Cars, which later became Jaguar Cars, as a design draftsman.

When the Second World War came, the Freeman family moved from Coventry into a safer area, and Les began working at the Armstrong Whitworth Aero factory.

In 1941 Mr Freeman joined Lucas Company and began working on the new jet engine with designs for other parts of the engine fuel system.

Secrecy surrounded the work and Mr Freeman continued modifying designs and facing the challenges he was presented.

At the end of the war, Mr Freeman continued to work on the development of new engines and components.

In 1949 he visited Australia for Lucas and said he quickly fell in love with the country and the environment.

He married a New Zealander who he met on his many travels and they settled in Sydney as Les continued with his career.

More recent engineering projects Mr Freeman has worked on included the lifting system to raise the main bobbin on the Centre Point Tower construction, the Favco Crane in Hoxton Park, the World Trade Centre in New York and the equipment to help move the radio telescope dishes at Parkes.

Mr Freeman said he and his wife Erina moved to Pearl Beach in 1996 to retire and enjoy the environment, swim in the ocean and listen to the birds.

Media Release, 14 Jan 2013

Lynne Lillico, pearl Beach Progress Association