John Stewart Glen Primrose
John Stewart Glen Primrose (1879-1947)
1949 Obituary [1]
"JOHN STEWART GLEN PRIMROSE, whose death occurred on 2nd October 1947, was a metallurgist of outstanding attainments and extensive experience in that branch of engineering.
He was born in Glasgow in 1879 and received his general education at Allan Glen's School in that city. His practical training was obtained with Messrs. Nobel's Explosive Company, Ltd., from 1899 to 1908, and his technical instruction at the Royal Technical College, Glasgow, from 1897 to 1905, his studies there including chemistry, physics, and metallurgy resulting in the Associate ship of the College. Later he took the Glasgow University engineering course. In 1905 he became lecturer in metallurgy at the Royal Technical College and assistant to the late Professor A. H. Sexton, with whom he was joint author of several standard text books on metallurgy. In the meanwhile he continued his technical studies and was awarded the medal of the City and Guilds of London College for his paper on iron and steel manufacture. In addition he proceeded to Freiburg in Germany, where at the Royal Mining Academy he was engaged on post-graduate research in metallurgy and also collaborated with the late Professor K. Friedrich and Professor C. Schiffner.
In 1913 he was appointed research metallurgist to Messrs. Consolidated Diesel Manufacturers, Ltd., Ipswich, a post he relinquished two years later to become metallurgical and testing engineer to Messrs. Ransomes and Rapier, Ltd., of the same town. After holding this position for nine years he joined the firm of R. Johnson, M.C.R., and Whitecross Wire Co where he remained until 1935. He then entered upon his final appointment as chief metallurgical engineer at the Tyseley works of the Rover Motor Company, in Birmingham, with whom he remained to the end of his life. Mr. Primrose was elected an Associate of the Institution in 1918 and was transferred to Companionship in 1932.
He was joint author with his brother, Mr. H. S. Primrose, of a paper on "Hardness Testing", which they presented to the Institution in 1920. In addition he contributed, either singly or jointly, numerous papers relating to metallurgical engineering research to the journals of the Institute of Metals."
1947 Obituary [2]
John S. G. Primrose, A.R.T.C., C.I.Mech.E., A.I.M.M., passed away at his home in Birmingham on the afternoon of 2 October 1947, in his 69th year, after an illness of nearly twelve months' duration. His passing will be a personal loss to his many friends, for his helpful outlook, coupled with a wealth of knowledge and experience, endeared him to all who came into close contact with him.
Primrose was a native of Glasgow and commenced his education at Allen Glen's school in that city. His business training was carried out at Messrs. Nobel's, followed by his becoming a student at the Royal Technical College and University, Glasgow.
For a period of nine years he was on the staff of the Royal Technical College, being assistant to Professor A. H. Sexton from 1905 and Lecturer in Metallurgy from 1909. During this period, Primrose furthered his knowledge by a Summer Research Course at Freiberg Academy, Saxony, in 1907.
In 1913 Primrose left full-time academic work to become metallurgist at the Diesel Engine Works, Ipswich, and later, in 1915, joined Ransomes and Rapier. During his connection with the latter organization, he was associated with Sir Wilfred Stokes, K.B.E., when the Stokes Mortar was developed, and took a great interest in the East Anglian Munitions Committee.
In 1923 he joined Messrs. Richard Johnson and Nephew of Manchester, and subsequently, in 1927, Whitecross (Wire) Company, Warrington, then finally, in 1935, The Rover Company, Ltd., at their works in Birmingham. During this period, Primrose was an active member of many technical societies, including the Institute of Metals and the Institute of British Foundrymen, being elected President of the Lancashire Branch of the latter Institute in 1927. In addition, he returned to his academic activity as part-time Lecturer in Metallurgy, notably at Manchester Technical College.
Throughout his life, Primrose made many contributions to various technical bodies as author of numerous papers and author and part-author of several books on metallurgy and non-ferrous foundry practice, for example: "The Practical Metallography of Iron and Steel", by J. S. G. Primrose; "Metallurgy of Iron and Steel", by A. Humboldt Sexton and J. S. G. Primrose; and "Gun-Metal and Brass Founding ", by H. S. and J. S. G. Primrose.
Generally an obituary consists essentially of a summary of the professional attainments of an individual, but Primrose will be remembered also for the unusually high regard in which he was held by many friends, in this and other countries, to whom he gave unstintingly of his time. He was at his best during technical discussions and although kindly, was forceful and to the point. Among his collection of awards were medals for such diverse activities as technical discussions in learned societies, and markmanship while a member , of the 3rd Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers before the first World War. Primrose will be long remembered by his friends and colleagues on account of his friendliness, his courtesy, and, under all conditions, his cheerfulness. On all occasions, and to the labourer and manager alike, he gave consideration and thought, and his opinion and decisions always merited the most careful attention. S. HESLOP.