Articles
During the First World War, 1,270 institution members went on active service. Between 1 July and 18 November 1916, the Somme offensive claimed many lives, including those of 14 members. While it is impossible to grasp the enormity of the loss, it is fitting to remember these engineers.
Private Alexander Davidson Johnston of the London Scottish Regiment died on the first day of the battle, 1 July. In 1898 he had begun an apprenticeship at the Northern Press and Engineering Company. When qualified, he was engaged there on the design of machinery for the production of stereo-plates for rotary printing presses. In 1908, he went to Henry Simon where he had charge of the experimental department, developing milling machines. In December 1915 Johnston enlisted in the army and was drafted to France in June 1916.
Also killed on the first day of the battle was Brigade Captain James Samuel Davidson of the Ulster Division. In 1895 Davidson had started an apprenticeship at Sirocco Engineering Works. He later became works manager. He looked after the construction of machines for all the various processes in tea manufacture, and also the manufacture of centrifugal fans, propeller fans, and drying machines. He then became general manager and a director of the firm.
Davidson was an early volunteer, and his knowledge of practical engineering saw him appointed to work with machine guns. He was attached to the 108th Infantry Brigade, Ulster Division, and was commanding the machine guns at the time of his death in the “great attack”.
Two more deaths followed on 3 July, those of Bernard Ebenezer Bumpus and Frank Trevor Wilkins. Bumpus, 2nd Lieutenant in the Northumberland Fusiliers, had begun his apprenticeship in 1898 at Johnson and Phillips. From 1902 to 1904 he worked in the submarine cable department of the India-rubber, Gutta Percha and Telegraph Company. On completing his apprenticeship he worked for Dick, Kerr and Company. In 1908 he was appointed engineer to the Bibiani Mines in West Africa. In 1914 he went to India to take up a position with the Bombay Electricity Supply and Tramways Company, before volunteering for military service in 1915.
Frank Trevor Wilkins, 2nd Lieutenant in the Northumberland Fusiliers, had been apprenticed to Vickers. He studied at the University of Birmingham, taking his degree in mechanical engineering in 1912. In October that year he obtained a Bowen Research Scholarship in Engineering at the university. Wilkins received a commission in the army and was posted to France in 1916.
He had prepared a paper on “Trials of a Diesel Engine,” being the outcome of experiments he had made at Birmingham. After Wilkins’ death, his paper was read at the institution by his supervisor at the university, Professor F W Burstall.
The careers of the members killed show how people from different disciplines and ages were drawn into the conflict. Thomas Booth Keyms of the Great Western Railway of Brazil died “as a result of a shell bursting at his feet… he showed conspicuous bravery”. Charles Kennedy was superintendent at the same railway.
William Clayton Harvey had been consulting engineer to the Tasmanian government. Lionel Egerton Vyall also worked abroad, in India and Canada, before he died in a motorcycle accident at the front. Charles Lambert Druitt, of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway, was mentioned in dispatches by Sir Douglas Haig. Ian Arthur Philip Harris was a pupil at Rhymney Railway Locomotive Works. Finally, Robert Sergius Robertson had worked for Blackadder Bros of Falkirk.
In focus: Where to find out more
Full biographies of all IMechE members killed in action and more information about the role of engineering during the war can be found at: engineersatwar.imeche.org.