Frank William Pratt
Frank William Pratt (1891-1948)
1949 Obituary [1]
"FRANK WILLIAM PRATT was for twenty-two years joint managing director of Messrs. Air Pumps, Ltd., pneumatic and general engineers, of Wimbledon.
He was born in 1891 and received his early education in South Africa, which he completed later at the Colston School, Bristol. From 1909 to 1913 he attended classes at the Borough Polytechnic and the West Ham Technical Institute, and concurrently obtained his practical training at Messrs. Arnold Goodwin and Son's engineering works in London, in whose employment he continued as a junior draughtsman.
Subsequently he was promoted to the post of chief draughtsman and entrusted with the organization of a new department manufacturing air compressors, with which branch of mechanical engineering he continued to be closely concerned for the rest of his life. After carrying out the duties of depart mental manager for Messrs. Goodwin for three years he became, in 1926, co-founder and joint managing director of Messrs. Air Pumps, Ltd. This appointment he held up to the time of his death, which occurred on 17th May 1948. Mr. Pratt was elected an Associate Member of the Institution in 1925 and was transferred to Membership in 1935."