Leonard Fletcher Massey
Leonard Fletcher Massey (c1866-1943) of B. and S. Massey
1927 Unanimously elected chairman of Institution of Mechanical Engineers - North Western Branch.[1]
1944 Obituary [2]
LEONARD FLETCHER MASSEY, whose death occurred on 11th November 1943, in his seventy-seventh year, was the chairman and managing director of Messrs. B. and S. Massey, Ltd., makers of steam and power hammers, Openshaw, Manchester, and had been associated with that firm for no less than fifty-five years.
He was educated at Mill Hill School, and in 1885 became a pupil in the fitting shops of Messrs. J. and J. Kershaw, toolmakers, Ancoats, subsequently completing his apprenticeship in the foundry of Messrs. Joseph Berry, Ltd., of Swinton. After a year spent in visiting various engineering works on the Continent, he began in 1888 his long connection with the firm founded by his father and uncle, Benjamin and Stephen Massey, his first position being that of assistant manager.
Six years later he became a partner, and was also appointed manager with direct control of the workshops and drawing office. His firm was reconstituted as a limited liability company in 1912, upon which he became chairman and managing director, continuing actively to direct the business to the end of his life. He was also the managing director of Messrs. Joseph Berry, Ltd., a subsidiary company of Messrs. B. and S. Massey. Other positions he held included that of membership of the Court of the University of Manchester for some years, and at one time he was City Assessor. He was also a past-president of the Manchester and District Engineering Employers' Association, and past vice-president of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Massey was elected an Associate Member of the Institution in 1895 and was transferred to Membership in 1903.