Draft:Reginald Stradling

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1891|05|12|df=yes}}

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1891|05|12|df=yes}}

| birth_place = [[Bedminster, Bristol]], County Borough of Bristol

| birth_place = [[Bedminster, Bristol]], County Borough of Bristol

| death_date = {{Death date and age|1952|01|27|1891|05|12|df=yes}}

| death_date = {{Death date and age|1952|01|26|1891|05|12|df=yes}}

| spouse = Inda (née Pippard)

| spouse = Inda (née Pippard)

| children = One son, one daughter

| children = One son, one daughter

| notable_works =

| notable_works =

}}

}}

'''Sir Reginald Edward Stradling''' (12 May 1891 – 19 January 1952) was an engineer and government scientist who had a leading role in the development of modern housing techniques in Britain. In addition he led scientific research into aspects of the [[Second World War]], with particular interest in improving civilian defence against incendiary bombs, launched through German air raids.

'''Sir Reginald Edward Stradling''' (12 May 1891 – 26 January 1952) was an engineer and government scientist who had a leading role in the development of modern housing techniques in Britain. He led scientific research into aspects of the [[Second World War]], with particular interest in improving civilian defence against incendiary bombs, launched through German air raids.

== Early life ==

== Early life ==

Reginald Stradling was the second of three children of Edward and Sarah (née Bennet) Stradling, his father was a forage merchant.

Reginald Stradling attended [[Bristol Grammar School]]. His initial desire was to become a physician, however he had poor eyesight and it was accepted that this would inhibit his medical ambitions. Instead Stradling read engineering at the [[University of Bristol]]. This was achieved by winning a scholarship sponsored by the Surveyors Institute, now known as the [[Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors]] (RICS), which would have required him to train as a surveyor at the end of his undergraduate studies. As a student with [[myopia]] he was shy and found it hard to develop a social circle. However he was attracted to the [[Parapsychology|psychical]] writings of [[Frederic W. H. Myers]], particularly his posthumous book ''Human Personality and its Survival of Bodily Death'', and separately he was attracted to socialism.

Reginald Stradling attended [[Bristol Grammar School]]. His initial desire was to become a physician, however he had poor eyesight and it was accepted that this would inhibit his medical ambitions. Instead Stradling read engineering at the [[University of Bristol]]. This was achieved by winning a scholarship sponsored by the Surveyors Institute, now known as the [[Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors]] (RICS), which would have required him to train as a surveyor at the end of his undergraduate studies. As a student with [[myopia]] he was shy and found it hard to develop a social circle. However he was interested in the [[Parapsychology|psychical]] writings of [[Frederic W. H. Myers]], particularly his posthumous book ''Human Personality and its Survival of Bodily Death'', and separately he was attracted to socialism.

After graduating in 1912 he entered into training with the Bristol engineering consultants A. P. I. Cotterell and Son, which specialised on water supply engineering before taking up posts in Bolton and Birmingham.

After graduating in 1912 he entered into training with the Bristol engineering consultants A. P. I. Cotterell and Son, which specialised on water supply engineering, before taking up posts in Bolton and Birmingham.

== First World War ==

== First World War ==

Between 1914 and 1918 Stradling was assigned to the Royal Engineers. He had previously indicated that he was a pacifist, but when war started he volunteered and given a commission. He enjoyed his time in the army, despite maintaining an opposition to war as a concept. He spent part of his service in France, and rose to the rank of captain at the time of discharge. His physical and mental health started to fail towards the end of the war, but he found that studying psychology helped him get through to end of his war service.

Between 1914 and 1918, Stradling was assigned to the Royal Engineers. He had previously indicated that he was a pacifist, but when war started he volunteered, and Stradling was given a commission. He enjoyed his time in the army, despite maintaining an opposition to war as a concept. He spent part of his service in France, and rose to the rank of captain adjutant at the time of discharge. His physical and mental health started to fail towards the end of the war, but he found that studying psychology helped him get through to end of his service.

== Academic career ==

== Academic career ==

After the end of th Stradling was released from his obligation to the Surveyors Institute to train as a surveyor and instead became a lecturer in civil engineering at the [[University of Birmingham]], where he obtained his PhD, before moving in 1922 to [[Bradford College|Bradford Technical College]] in Yorkshire, where he was appointed to the role of head of civil engineering, architecture and building.

After the end of the war, Stradling was released from his obligation to the Surveyors Institute to train as a surveyor and instead became a lecturer in civil engineering at the [[University of Birmingham]], where he obtained his PhD in 1922, before moving to [[Bradford College|Bradford Technical College]] in Yorkshire in 1922, where he was appointed to the role of head of civil engineering, architecture and building. He obtained his DSc from the University of Bristol in 1925.

== Building Research Station ==

== Building Research Station ==

In 1924 Stradling was appointed as director of the Building Research Station. a newly created unit within the [[Department of Scientific and Industrial Research]]. This was to become his most fruitful period of research activity and role that he greatly enjoyed. The station was originally in [[Acton, London|Acton]] but then move to [[Watford]]. A separate reorganisation moved the equivalent research unit for roads into his department, consequently he acquired the title of 'director of road research' as well.

In 1924 Stradling was appointed as director of the Building Research Station. a newly created unit within the [[Department of Scientific and Industrial Research]]. This was to become his most fruitful period of research activity and a role that he greatly enjoyed. The station was originally in [[Acton, London|Acton]] but then moved to [[Watford]]. A separate reorganisation moved the equivalent research unit for roads into his department, consequently he acquired the title of 'director of road research' as well.

The purpose of the research station was to promote modern methods of building construction. An example was setting standards and recommendations for the use of [[steel]] and [[steel frames]] in buildings and bridges, and liaising with the steel industry to assist with supply lines. As the prospect of another war loomed the BRS turned its attention to civil defence measures.

The purpose of the research station was to promote modern methods of building construction. An example was setting standards and recommendations for the use of [[steel]] and [[steel frames]] in buildings and bridges, and liaising with the steel industry to assist with supply lines. As the prospect of another war loomed the BRS turned its attention to civil defence measures.

In 1938, as Director of Building Research in the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, he was commissioned by the Home Office to prepare a report on the scientific aspects of civil defence. His report led to the establishment of the Research and Experiments (RE) branch of the Air Raid Precautions (ARP) Department initially within the [[Home Office]], and then later part of the [[Ministry of Home Security]]. It was originally based in Horseferry House in [[Westminster]], then moved to Cleland House in nearby [[John Islip Street]], and finally was evacuated to a [[Forest Products Research Laboratory|forestry research laboratory]] near [[Princes Risborough]]. Staff numbers rose from an initial 24 to 110 in the first year.

In 1938, as Director of Building Research in the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, he was commissioned by the Home Office to prepare a report on the scientific aspects of civil defence. His report led to the establishment of the Research and Experiments (RE) branch of the Air Raid Precautions (ARP) Department initially within the [[Home Office]], and then later part of the [[Ministry of Home Security]]. It was originally based in Horseferry House in [[Westminster]], then moved to Cleland House in nearby [[John Islip Street]], and finally was evacuated to a [[Forest Products Research Laboratory|forestry research laboratory]] near [[Princes Risborough]]. Staff numbers rose from an initial 24 to 110 in the first year.

Under Stradling's leadership, a coordinated programme of scientific research and practical work on civil defence was developed, including systematic analysis of German bombing raids and their impact. Twelve sections were eventually set up within the Research and Experiments department, of which RE8 was of particular note. This was originally known as the "Appreciation" section, but from 1942 was restructured as "Operational Research". It performed analysis on bombs and their explosive impact, and made recommendations to the public as to how to reduce the risks to them, such as by the design of entrances to bomb shelters and how to minimise injuries from shattered window panes. Stradling made use of former University of Bristol engineering colleagues, including [[John Baker, Baron Baker|John Baker]]. This research had implication for attack operations as well as defence.

Under Stradling's leadership, a coordinated programme of scientific research and practical work on civil defence was developed, including systematic analysis of German bombing raids and their impact. Twelve sections were eventually set up within the Research and Experiments department, of which RE8 was of particular note. This was originally known as the "Appreciation" section, but from 1942 was restructured under the title of "Operational Research". It performed analysis on bombs and their explosive impact, and made recommendations to the public as to how to reduce the risks to them, such as by the design of entrances to bomb shelters and how to minimise injuries from shattered window panes. Stradling made use of former University of Bristol engineering colleagues, including [[John Baker, Baron Baker|John Baker]]. This research had implication for attack operations as well as defence.

One of the areas that became a part of civilian life at this time was the rollout of [[Air raid shelter#Anderson shelter|Anderson]] and [[Air raid shelter#Morrison shelter|Morrison]] air raid shelters. The Anderson shelter was designed before the creation of Research and Experiments, but in due course both shelters were specified, tested and modified by the Research and Experiments department.

One of the areas that became a part of civilian life at this time was the rollout of [[Air raid shelter#Anderson shelter|Anderson]] and [[Air raid shelter#Morrison shelter|Morrison]] air raid shelters. The Anderson shelter was designed before the creation of Research and Experiments, but in due course both shelters were specified, tested and modified by the Research and Experiments department.

In 1944 Stradling became chief scientific adviser to the [[Ministry of Works (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Works]] to advise on post-war rebuilding efforts, particularly non traditional approaches to housing. This was a pressing matter in terms of national priorities, given the damage caused by the war, the number of troops returning home, and the expectations of the public. Against this was the conservatism of the building industry which was not always responsive to new ways of working. Part of the answer came in the form of prefabricated housing. He advocated the use of steel framed, prestressed and reinforced concrete techniques.

In 1944 Stradling became chief scientific adviser to the [[Ministry of Works (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Works]] to advise on post-war rebuilding efforts, particularly non traditional approaches to housing. This was a pressing matter in terms of national priorities, given the damage caused by the war, the number of troops returning home, and the expectations of the public. Against this was the conservatism of the building industry which was not always responsive to new ways of working. Part of the answer came in the form of prefabricated housing. He advocated the use of steel framed, prestressed and reinforced concrete techniques.

== Career after 1945 ==

== Career after 1945 ==

He married Inda (née Pippard) in 1918, they had one son and one daughter.

He married Inda (née Pippard) in 1918, they had one son and one daughter.

Reginald Stradling died on 19 January 1952. His body was cremated at Oxford Crematorium on 30 January 1952, in a service led by a Methodist minister.

Reginald Stradling died on 26 January 1952 at the Military College of Science. His body was cremated at Oxford Crematorium on 30 January 1952, in a service led by a Methodist minister.

== Assessment ==

== Assessment ==