Martin De Ville
Martin De Ville (c1870-1944)
1946 Obituary [1]
MARTIN DE VILLE. Wh.Ex., whose death in his seventy-fourth year occurred on 22nd August 1944, held for thirty-six years the responsible position of chief engineer in the engineering department of the Ocean Accident and Guarantee Corporation, Ltd., in London, with control of about 120 engineer surveyors and a large office staff.
He had been an Associate Member of the Institution for 45 years, having been elected in 1899. He was also an Associate Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Mr. De Ville received his technical education at the Finsbury Technical College, London, from 1885 to 1887. After serving his apprenticeship with Messrs. S. Owens and Company, in London, from 1887 to 1890, he gained experience in the drawing office of various general engineering firms, including Messrs. Payne-Gallwey, Pickering and Company, hydraulic engineers, by whom he was employed as chief draughtsman and also as assistant works manager. In 1894 he became assistant engineer to the Vulcan Boiler and General Insurance Company, of Manchester, and after holding this position for six years entered upon his long period of office with theOcean Accident Guarantee Corporation, where his responsibilities further included the scrutiny of certificates of safety and the preparation of reports on engines, electrical plant, lifts, and cranes.
Since 1936 Mr. De Ville had been living in retirement at Coulsdon, Surrey.