James Smillie
James Smillie (1882-1935)
1935 Obituary [1]
JAMES SMILLIE had a wide experience with boiler plants and with the generation of power for large factories, and also the installation and maintenance of the associated distributing and manufacturing plant.
He was born at Elgin in 1882, coming to Edinburgh in 1897 to commence a six years' apprenticeship with Messrs. Brown Brothers and Company, Ltd., of the Rosebank Ironworks.
He then studied engineering for two years at the Heriot-Watt College, after which he became an assistant engineer to Messrs. Strain and Robinson, consulting engineers of Glasgow, with whom he remained until 1914. During this time he was chiefly engaged on the design and layout of nitrate and soda works.
Subsequently he was employed as assistant engineer to Mr. D. T. Heap, consulting engineer, of London.
In 1915 he was appointed superintending engineer for steam, water, and refrigeration plants at Messrs. Nobel's Explosives Company, Ltd., at Pembrey, South Wales, holding this position until 1919.
He then accepted the appointment of senior draughtsman with the Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Company, Ltd., at Manchester, and six months later became assistant works engineer to the Dunlop Rubber Company.
In 1922 he was made chief of the service and maintenance department at the cable factory of the Western Electric Company, Ltd., at North Woolwich, and was subsequently transferred to the company's new factory.
The firm was reconstituted later as Standard Telephones and Cables, Ltd., and Mr. Smillie occupied a similar position at the Hendon factory unti1 1934, after which he recommenced the same duties at the North Woolwich factory.
He held this appointment at the time of his death, which occurred on 16th April 1935.
He was elected an Associate Member of the Institution in 1914.