Albert Frederick Coates
1951 Obituary [1]
"ALBERT FREDERICK COATES, who retained a close connection with engineering in Bristol during most of his lifetime, received his general education at the Monkhouse Grammar School, Staffs., after which he proceeded to University College, Bristol, where he gained a first-class diploma in civil engineering. He received his practical training in the drawing office of Messrs. Brecknell, Munro and Rogers, Ltd., electrical and mechanical engineers, from 1899 to 1901, after which he joined the staff of the Royal Carriage Department at Woolwich Arsenal as a junior draughtsman, and two years later underwent a course of training in the fitting and machine shops. He returned to Bristol in 1905 and re-entered the employment of Messrs. Brecknell, Munro and Rogers as chief draughtsman. On the completion of a brief engagement as engineer and designer to Messrs. W. Butler and Company, Ltd., he began, in 1908, a connection with the chief engineer's department of the Imperial Tobacco Company, Ltd., which lasted until his retirement in 1938. After holding the position of designer for four years he was placed in charge of the drawing office. The duties of this important post entailed the control of a large staff of draughtsmen and four clerks of works, and included responsibility for the design and construction of industrial works as well as the inspection and testing of machinery and plant in an extensive group of factories. More recently he held the appointment of assistant to the chief engineer, Mr. Coates, whose death in his seventy-second year occurred on 26th April 1950, was elected an Associate Member of the Institution in 1905, and transferred to Membership in 1925. He was also a Member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers."