John Henry Smeddle
John Henry Smeddle (?-1951)
1952 Obituary [1]
"Major JOHN HENRY SMEDDLE, O.B.E., T.D., throughout his career was in the service of the North Eastern Railway, both during its independent existence and after its absorption into the London and North Eastern Railway.
He was educated at Newcastle Modern School and Bishop Auckland Grammar School. After serving his time in the locomotive works of the North Eastern Railway at Darlington, from 1882 to 1887, he was engaged as a draughtsman for a further two years.
He became district locomotive foreman at Sunderland in 1894 and four years later was transferred to Darlington as district locomotive superintendent.
In 1906 he was appointed divisional superintendent at York. At the outbreak of war in 1914 he was called up for service with his unit, the 8th Durham Light Infantry, with which he went to France in the following year. He was, however, released soon afterwards for duties in the mechanical engineering department at Darlington.
In 1919 he was appointed running superintendent, and on the amalgamation of the railways in 1923 became locomotive running superintendent for the North Eastern Area, L.N.E.R., an appointment he retained until his retirement in 1931.
Major Smeddle's long association with the Institution dated back to 1899 when he was elected a Member. His death occurred on 11th February 1951."