Wallace Charles Devereux CBE (9 March 1893 – 21 June 1952) was a British businessman and engineer, known for his work in producing light alloys for the aircraft industry.
[1] His study of airframe and engine design during this period, and in the years immediately following the war, convinced him of the possibilities of forged light alloys.
Aircraft airframes, as well as engines, were now in a transitional phase and moving to the increased use of light alloys for construction, rather than wood or iron.
[2] Following the end of the war he became works manager at Peter Hooker's where he began to realise the increasing value of light alloy forgings and castings.
In 1927 Devereux founded High Duty Alloys Ltd. at Farnham Road, Slough[6][7] Initial backing for this had been provided by John Siddeley of Armstrong-Siddeley,[3] who were already significant early adopters of aluminium castings for car engine parts.
High Duty Alloys began as a small company, but was equipped for applied research with a well-equipped laboratory, foundry, and machine shop.
[11] When World War II broke out, Devereux was appointed Director of Forgings and Castings at the Ministry of Aircraft Production.
[3][15] He was also a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers[3] and a member of the Institution of Naval Architects.