Alban Francis Baynham
Alban Francis Baynham (c1873-1927)
1927 Obituary
"THE LATE MR. A. F. BAYNHAM.
We regret to record the death of Mr. Alban Francis Baynham, which occurred at his home in Dry Hill Crescent, Tonbridge, Kent, at the early age of 54, on February 4 last. Mr. Baynham was the eldest son of the late Rev. J. F. Baynham, Rector of Charlton, Dover, and received his early education at a private school in Dover. In 1890, at the age of 17, be entered the Crystal Palace School of Engineering, where he remained for two years; he then received a further two years’ practical training under Mr. A. T. Walmisley, M.Inst.C.E. During the years from 1894 to 1896 Mr. Baynham was in the engineer’s office of the Great Western Railway, where he was engaged on bridge and roof design. The young engineer then proceeded to Portsmouth to take up an appointment in the Admiralty Works Department; he was employed on surveys and on the design of various marine works. In 1899 he was given the post of assistant engineer on the staff of the contractor engaged in the construction of the Baker-street and Waterloo Railway. Three years later he received an appointment under Sir James Szlumper and Partner, and became chief assistant on tho construction of the Brompton and Piccadilly-circus Railway, including the extension to Holbom. After being engaged for a short time on the construction of the Caterham main drainage system, Mr. Baynham proceeded to South America, in 1909, to take up the appointment of chief resident engineer on the construction of the North Western Railway of Peru. The line, which is 130 miles in length, was provisionally opened to traffic in 1913, and was finally opened some time afterwards. In the meantime Mr. Baynham had returned to England, and, a former lieutenant of the old 13th Middlesex Volunteer Rifle Corps, he was appointed to the rank of captain in the Territorial Force Reserve on December 15, 1914. In this capacity he served in various spheres until peace was declared. Mr. Baynham, who had lived for some years in Dover, had quite recently removed to Tonbridge, Kent. A former student member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, he became an associate member on December 1, 1908, and was elected to full membership on January 21, 1913."