William Sharman Toplis
William Sharman Toplis (1876-1929)
1929 Obituary [1]
WILLIAM SHARMAN TOPLIS was born in October 1876, and was educated at the Sheffield Collegiate College and at Sheffield University.
In 1894 he was articled to the Sheffield Electric Light and Power Co., becoming a shift engineer 3 years later.
In 1898 he was appointed mains engineer in the South Shields Corporation Electricity Department.
In 1901 he became assistant mains engineer at Manchester, resigning a year later to become superintendent of outside erection with Messrs. Ferranti.
In 1903 he joined the staff of the British Westinghouse Co., being engaged on general engineering work, and in 1912 he became a special representative of this company.
From 1914 to 1919 he was engaged in war work, after which he obtained the post of engineer and manager to the Burmah Oil Co. in connection with the electrification of their oil-fields.
He held that position until his death, which took place in London on the 24th August, 1929.
He joined the Institution in 1925 as an Associate Member, and became a Member in 1927.