Athelstan Philip Joseph Stourton
Athelstan Philip Joseph Stourton (1868-1896)
1897 Obituary [1]
ATHELSTAN PHILIP JOSEPH STOURTON, born on the 6th January, 1868, was the second son of the late Captain the Hon. Everard Joseph Stourton, and grandson of Charles, 18th Baron Mowbray and Stourton.
He was educated at Beaumont College, Windsor, and at the Abbey School, Fort Augustus, N.B.
In September, 1886, he entered the Crystal Palace School of Engineering, and, during a two years' course, obtained nine certificates for proficiency in civil and mechanical engineering subjects.
From October, 1888, until September, 1889, he was engaged as apprentice to Mr. T. W. Worsdell in the Locomotive Works of the North Eastern Railway Company at Gateshead.
About this time he qualified in the School of Submarine Mining at Chatham, and subsequently held a commission for two years as Lieutenant in the Gosport Division of the Submarine Mining Militia.
In June, 1890, he entered the works of Messrs. Dutton & Co. at Worcester, where he was engaged in the design of electrical signalling and other machinery.
On the 16th July, 1891, he joined the Rio Tinto Mining Company as an Assistant Engineer and proceeded at once to Spain. Two years later he was promoted to the post of second Mechanical Assistant and placed in charge of the pumping machinery.
In March, 1895, he was appointed First Assistant to the Mines Traffic and Locomotive Department, which post he held until his death, at Rio Tinto, on the 19th February, 1896.
Mr. Stourton was a talented engineer and extremely conscientious in the fulfilment of his duties. During a residence of nearly five years at Rio Tinto he had acquired an amount of practical experience which made his career a most promising one; and by his upright and exemplary conduct, had won for himself the sincere esteem of all with whom he came in contact. His death came as a blow to all who knew him and the loss of "Don Alfredo" (as he was locally named) will long be keenly felt by the inhabitants of all classes at Rio Tinto.
He was elected an Associate Member on the 5th December, 1893.