Ivan hirst biography

Major Ivan Hirst (1916-2000), was a British Army officer and engineer who was instrumental in reviving Volkswagen from a single factory in Wolfsburg, Germany, into a major postwar automotive manufacturer.

1916 March 4th. Born in Saddleworth, Yorkshire, the son of Fred Hirst and attended Hulme Grammar School in Oldham. His family had founded the Hirst Brothers and Co, a manufacturer of watches, clocks and optical components in Oldham.

He studied optical engineering at the University of Manchester, prior to forming his own company repairing optical instruments. While a student he was a member of the university's Officers' Training Corps contingent.

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Major Ivan Hirst was born in Saddleworth in to a family who owned an Olham business making clocks, watches and optical components.

Ivan Hirst was.

Major Ivan Hirst, was a British Army officer and engineer who was instrumental in reviving Volkswagen from a single factory in Wolfsburg, Germany, into a major postwar automotive manufacturer.

Born in Saddleworth, on the eastern side of the Pennines, he came from a manufacturing background - his family owned a clock factory.

Hirst was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 7th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment (Territorial Army) on 27 June 1934, and promoted to lieutenant three years later.

1940 Married. 'HIRST - PILKINGTON.

March 28, St. Paul's, Withington, Captain IVAN HIRST, only son of Mr