Thomas Baxendale
Thomas Baxendale (c1878-1929)
1930 Obituary [1]
THOMAS BAXENDALE died on the 6th December, 1929, in his 52nd year, after a comparatively short illness.
He received his early education at the Bolton Church Institute, and later attended evening classes in engineering at the Technical Schools of Bolton and Manchester.
The greater part of his career was spent in the service of the Manchester Corporation Electricity Department. He was appointed charge engineer at Stuart Street power station in 1902, in which year the supply of high-tension alternating current was inaugurated in Manchester. He became assistant resident and constructional engineer in 1913, and resident engineer in 1919.
When Barton power station was laid down in 1923, he was transferred there; and, as resident engineer, he was in control during the difficult early years of the running of new plant which created a record for high thermal efficiency previously unattained in this country.
In 1927 he became superintendent of power stations, a position he was destined to hold for but a short period before he became affected by heart trouble, which eventually brought about his death.
A capable engineer, his disposition was kindly, and he was held in esteem and affection by his colleagues. In his humour there was often a vein of mild sarcasm, which, however, contained no barb and was largely discounted by an unfailing geniality.
He was elected an Associate Member of the Institution in 1906 and a Member in 1922. He was also a member of the Committee of the North-Western Centre.