Institution of Welding Engineers
The address of the institution was 30, Red Lion-square, Holborn, London, WC1.
1923 Establishment of The Institution of Welding Engineers at a meeting between 20 men at the Holborn Restaurant in London. The Institution of Welding Engineers brought together acetylene welders with engineers engaged in electric arc welding, as well as those engaged or interested in allied industries. It was formally registered under the Companies Act in February 1923.
The Institution set forward aims to "advance and develop the science and practice of welding," which included activities such as the reading of papers and lectures, the establishing of welding schools, the drawing up of recommendations and regulations for the welding industry and, additionally, the promotion of related legislation.
1923 October: Opening meeting.
Its members were to be of five grades: - Special Members, Ordinary Members, Associates, Graduates and Foreign Members.
Office holders appointed in 1923 were;-
- Sir W. Peter Rylands. (President).
- Sir Robert Hadfield. (Vice-President).
- Professor F. C. Thompson. (Vice-President).
- Mr. Charles Bingham. (Vice-President).
- W. R. J. Britten. (Hon. Treasurer).
- C. Raggett. (Hon. Secretary).
The following were the members of the first council: -
- E. A. Atkins.
- W. R. J. Britten.
- Charles Bingham.
- Herman G. Dixon.
- L. M. Fox.
- A. L. Haggerty.
- A. Edgar Knowles.
- T. Vincent Lane.
- C. Raggett.
- Captain D. Richardson.
- Lewis J. Yeoman.
- G. Young.
Over the following ten years, the number of Members reached 600.
1935 the The Institution of Welding Engineers merged with the British Advisory Welding Council, becoming The Institute of Welding. This merger enabled a "wider and more comprehensive programme of work" to be conducted whilst additionally addressing the "pressing demands of all branches of engineering for guidance in welding matters." It also further enabled companies to become Members, as well as individuals.