Three Refugee Brothers from Bohemia who supported the British war effort
Ludwig graduated from Vienna University as an engineer. In 1914, he joined a small company, Schloemann, manufacturing industrial machinery and armaments for the German war effort. After WW1 the company made presses for the production of aluminium and steel to make aircraft and car bodies. Ludwig became chairman of the company.
With the rise of Nazism and increasing attacks on the Jewish community, Ludwig resigned, left the company and moved to England with a number of Schloemann staff, bringing their design drawings with them. Initially Ludwig had intended to continue working with Schloemann but when the German company refused to let him sell his shareholding it became totally owned by the Nazis.
Moving to London in 1936 he formed the Loewy Engineering Company. With WW2 looming, the products of the company attracted the attention of Lord Beaverbrook, Minister for Aviation. Owing to the threat of bombing, Ludwig Loewy relocated his staff, office furniture and design equipment to Poole, where it started its new life in Branksome Grange, a large Edwardian House in Lindsay Road, Branksome Park. Because of his personal contribution to the UK war effort Ludwig was awarded British citizenship in January 1942, an extremely rare occurrence for an alien.
In July 1942 Siegmund was taken ill and died, aged 45. Just 3 months later Ludwig died, aged 55. It was reported that 80 telegrams of sympathy were received in the Poole office from Members of Parliament and other officials.
Such was the respect for the company that a road in Poole was named after them.
The company continued in Branksome Grange but eventually outgrew it, and the property was given to The Shaftsbury Society catering for handicapped children.
