James Alfred Keay
James Alfred Keay (1862-1927) of the British United Shoe Machinery Co
1927 Obituary [1]
JAMES ALFRED KEAY was born in London in 1862, but spent most of his life in Leicester and was for many years a director of the British United Shoe Machinery Company.
He served an apprenticeship with Messrs. Gimson and Company from 1875 to 1883, and afterwards worked as a fitter, and later as a draughtsman, for Messrs. Manlove, Alliott and Company of Nottingham.
In 1887 he returned to Leicester as a draughtsman for Messrs. Pearson and Bennion. He became works manager, and when the company was amalgamated with others to form the British United Shoe Machinery Company, was appointed director.
During the War Mr. Keay was largely responsible for the organization of the manufacture of munitions in Leicester, and since 1911 had been closely connected with the local association of the Engineering and Allied Employers' Association.
Mr. Keay became a Member of the Institution in 1905, and his death occurred on 28th October 1927.