Grace's Guide

British Industrial History


Charles Arnold

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Charles Leonard Arnold (1885-1969).
Charles Leonard Arnold (1885-1969).

Charles Leonard Arnold (1885-1969) of Belling and Co and MK Electric, and designer of the 13-Amp plug and socket

1885 February 10th. Born in Peckham, the son of Charles Fearnley Arnold (1847-1912), a Flour salesman, and his wife Jessie Anna Turney (1853-1902)

1901 Commercial Clerk, living in Camberwell[1]

1912 Charles Arnold and Charles Reginald Belling formed Belling and Co to make electric fires

1914 Charles Arnold enlisted, and sold his interest in the company to Belling.

1917 October 13th. Married at West Dulwich to Mabel Margaret Symons. He is age 32 and profession is R.G.A. (Royal Garrison Artillery). His father is Charles Fearnley Arnold (deceased), a Gentleman.[2] They had James Leonard Symons Arnold (1919-2005) and Ruth Arnold (died infant)

1919 Post WWI: Charles Belling told Arnold about his need for switches and sockets for the fires he made. Arnold set up the Heavy Current Electric Accessories Co with Belling. The first factory was in Park Road, Edmonton, with a total workforce of three. The company was based on the Multy Kontact socket, patented by Charles Arnold in April 1919. The company was eventually named MK Electric after that one product.

1968 Charles Arnold retired from the chairmanship of MK Electric and sold 25 percent of the equity in the company, retaining 10 percent[3]. He became president of the company[4]

1969 October 29th. Died at Hastings age 84.

Tower House on The Ridgeway was his home until he died in 1969. On his death his Will stated that the house should go to charity and the Executors of his will donated the house to the Cheshire Foundation when it became a Cheshire Home.

See Also


Sources of Information

  1. 1901 census
  2. Marriage Certificate
  3. The Times, Feb 17, 1968
  4. The Times, Nov 28, 1968