A. S. Clement

A. S. Clement

1911 Retirement. 'Mr A. S. Clement, telegraph engineer and superintendent of the North British Railway Company, retired from the service under the operation of the age limit yesterday. He is succeeded by Mr David Wells, who has acted as assistant for many years. Mr Clement is an old Electric and International Telegraph Company's man, having commenced his telegraph career with that company in their Edinburgh office, "E. H.," in 1861. In December 1862 he was transferred to Aberdeen, but returned to Edinburgh in 1863, only to go back to Aberdeen in 1864. In 1864 his services were transferred from the Electric and International Telegraph Company to the Scottish North Eastern Railway Company at Aberdeen, and when this company was absorbed by the Caledonian Railway Company he remained in their service until 1867. While at Aberdeen he was under the control of the late Mr Edward Gilbert, superintendent, and latterly became his assistant. Mr Gilbert was appointed telegraph engineer and superintendent to the North British Railway Company in 1867, and shortly afterwards Mr Clement became his chief assistant. In 1874, on Mr Gilbert's resignation to fill an important appointment in Japan, Mr Clement succeeded him as telegraph engineer and superintendent of the North British Railway Company . Mr Clement's service with the North British Railway Company therefore extends to nearly 44 years, during 36 of which h6 has filled the position of engineer and superintendent. During the period of his control the telegraph system has increased enormously, and particularly within the last fifteen, years, owing to the introduction of the telephone, the electrical interlocking of signals, and the many devices and inventions which in those days a railway telegraph engineer has to provide. The block telegraph has been introduced over the whole system in Mr Clement's time, and the seriousness with which it was taken in the early days by railway telegraph engineers only calls forth a smile in these days when electrical safety contrivances are so complex and difficult even for highly-trained men. The advance however, has been step by step, and Mr Clement has been one of those who proved himself equal to deal with new requirements as they arose. Mr Clement invariably travelled with the Royal train when it passed over any part of the North British Railway Company's system, and on him devolved the responsibility for the special telegraph arrangements which have to be made in connection with the running of Royal trains. Mr Clement will be remembered with affection by a wide circle of friends in the telegraph and railway world generally, both in Scotland and England, and he will carry with him their sincere wishes for a happy and long period of life to enjoy his retirement from public work.'

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