Born in Alwalton, near Peterborough, Sir Frederick Henry Royce rose from humble beginnings to become one of Britain’s most celebrated engineers. Apprenticed in the railway works at Peterborough before moving to London, Royce developed a talent for precision engineering that would change automotive history.
In 1904, he met Charles Rolls, and together they founded Rolls-Royce Ltd, creating “the best car in the world” and later producing the legendary Merlin aircraft engines that powered Spitfires and Lancasters. Known for his meticulous craftsmanship and the motto “Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble”, Royce was knighted in 1930 for his contributions to engineering.
Though he spent his later years in West Wittering, Sussex, his roots in the Peterborough area remain an enduring point of local pride.
Born in Alwalton, near Peterborough, Sir Frederick Henry Royce rose from humble beginnings to become one of Britain’s most celebrated engineers.
1904
The year he met Charles Rolls
1930
Knighted for engineering
4
Miles from Alwalton to the city centre
A life in dates
- 1863Born at Alwalton, near Peterborough
- 1904Meets Charles Rolls; Rolls-Royce Ltd is founded
- 1930Knighted for his contributions to engineering
- 1933Dies at West Wittering, Sussex
Alwalton and the railway works
Apprenticed in the railway works at Peterborough before moving to London, Royce developed a talent for precision engineering that would change automotive history.
Rolls-Royce
In 1904, he met Charles Rolls, and together they founded Rolls-Royce Ltd, creating “the best car in the world” and later producing the legendary Merlin aircraft engines that powered Spitfires and Lancasters.
The motto
He was known for his meticulous craftsmanship, and for the principle he worked by.
Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble.
Henry Royce
Royce was knighted in 1930 for his contributions to engineering.
Later years
Though he spent his later years in West Wittering, Sussex, his roots in the Peterborough area remain an enduring point of local pride.