John Robert Williams
John Robert Williams [1870-1941)
1942 Obituary [1]
JOHN ROBERT WILLIAMS was born in 1870, and on leaving Manchester Grammar School served his apprenticeship from 1885 to 1890 with Messrs. Laird and Company in Birkenhead. He then went to sea as engineer on vessels of the Harrison Line, and the Shaw Savill and Albion Steamship Company of Liverpool.
In 1892 he secured an appointment as chief mechanical engineer with Messrs. W. Robinson and Company, of Manchester. From 1896 until 1902 he held an appointment with Salford Corporation as engineer-in-charge of the electricity generating station; and in 1902 he was appointed engineer-in-charge of the tramway power station of Sheffield Corporation, a position which he occupied until 1924. During that period, he also took charge of the testing and constructional sides of the work of the electric supply department.
For the last fifteen years of his life Mr. Williams had been manager of the Manchester office of Messrs. Dewrance and Company, of Great Dover Street, London. His death occurred on 21st June 1941. He was elected an Associate Member of the Institution in 1903.