Thomas Britten
Thomas Britten (1873-1932), director of Crompton Parkinson, Hydraulic Engineering Co and the Suffolk Iron Foundry
1932 Obituary [1]
THOMAS BRITTEN, whose death occurred on 16th March 1932, at the age of fifty-eight, was born in 1873 and served his apprenticeship with Messrs. Robey and Company of Lincoln. He was subsequently engaged in their gas-engine experimental department, and later held a position in the erecting department of Messrs. Ruston, Proctor and Company of Lincoln. During this period he also attended evening classes in engineering at the Science and Art School, Lincoln.
In 1896 he joined the Electric Construction Company of Wolverhampton, and a year later was made responsible for the erection and testing of electrical plant in various parts of the country, including the equipment for the extension of the City and South London Railway.
In 1902 he became general superintending engineer of the firm and was responsible for the installation of plant in the Park Royal generating station of the Great Western Railway, in the power houses of the London County Council, the Leeds Corporation and the rolling mills of Messrs. Alfred Hickman of Sheffield.
In 1913 Mr. Britten was appointed general manager of Messrs. Crompton and Company of Chelmsford, and a year later became one of the directors of the firm. During the War he was responsible for the large amount of munition work carried out by that company.
On the amalgamation of Messrs. Crompton with Messrs. Parkinson of Guiseley, Yorks, Mr. Britten resigned his position, but continued for some time to occupy a seat on the Board.
At the time of his death he was chairman and managing director of the Hydraulic Engineering Company of Chester, and the Suffolk Iron Foundry, Stowmarket.
He was elected a Graduate of the Institution in 1894, and an Associate Member in 1900, and was transferred to Membership in 1912. He was also a Member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers.
1932 Obituary[2]
"THE LATE MR. T. BRITTEN.
Mb. Thomas Britten, whose death we regret to record, took place at Great Baddow, Essex, on Wednesday, March 16, at the age of 58, was closely connected for many years with the manufacturing side of electrical engineering.
Thomas Britten was born on August 23, 1873, and, after receiving his early education at Bedford Grammar School, was articled to Messrs. Robey and Company, Limited, Lincoln, and passed through the various shops and the drawing office of that firm. Subsequently he was engaged in their gas engine experimental department and afterwards for a short time held a post in the erecting department of Messrs. Ruston, Proctor and Company, Limited. During this period he also attended classes in engineering at the Science and Art School, Lincoln. In 1896, he obtained a post with the Electric Construction Company, Limited, Wolverhampton, and a year later was appointed one of that firm’s outside engineers, being responsible in that capacity for the erection and testing of a good deal of electrical plant in various parts of the country, including the equipment of the extension of the City and South London Railway. In 1902, he became general superintending engineer of the firm, being responsible for all the work carried on outside the factory, including the installation of plant in the Park Royal generating station of the Great Western Railway, in the power houses of the London County Council and the Leeds Corporation, and for the rolling mills of Messrs. Alfred Hickman, Limited.
In 1913, Mr. Britten was appointed general manager of Messrs. Crompton and Company, Chelmsford, and a year later became one of the directors of the firm. During the war period he was responsible for the large amount of munitions work carried out by that concern. On the amalgamation of Crompton’s with Messrs. Parkinson, Limited, he resigned his managerial position, but continued for some time to occupy a seat on the board. At the time of his death he was chairman and managing director of the Hydraulic Engineering Company, Chester, and of the Suffolk Iron Foundry, Stowmarket.
Mr. Britten was elected an associate member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in 1900 and was transferred to the class of member in 1912. He became a member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers in the same year."