Edward Oakden
Edward Oakden (c1882-1947)
1947 Obituary [1]
"EDWARD OAKDEN received his general education at Retford Grammar School and while serving his apprenticeship from 1899 to 1902 with Messrs. E. Reader and Sons, general engineers, studied at Nottingham University. Subsequently he took a mechanical engineering course at the Yorkshire College, Leeds.
On his return to this country in 1907 from the U.S.A., where he had gained experience as a fitter and later as draughtsman and special crane designer, he was employed in the latter capacity by the Vaughan Crane Company for two years. He then joined Messrs. Richard Johnson and Nephew, Ltd., of Manchester, to whom he was responsible for the design of wire drawing and working machinery.
In 1915 he began his long association with the National Gas and Oil Engine Company, Ltd., of Ashton under Lyne, which lasted for over thirty years, his first position being that of supervisor of gun details. Later he became chief engineer and departmental manager. Since 1938 he had held office as works director. Mr. Oakden, whose death in his sixty-fifth year occurred on 23rd February 1947, was elected a Member of the Institution in 1927. He was also an Associate Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers."