Charles Rowles (1864-1948)
1949 Obituary [1]
"CHARLES ROWLES was well known as an authority on saw milling and in the course of his long career had rendered valuable services in connection with the training of students in that industry and timber mechanics.
He was born in 1864 and at the age of thirty was appointed saw-mill manager to Messrs. Price Walker and Company, timber importers, of Gloucester. After holding this position for thirty-seven years he severed his connection with the firm and a year later, in 1932, joined the board of directors of Messrs. W. S. Barron and Son, Ltd., milling and electrical engineers, Gloucester. Mr. Rowles was an active member of the Timber Trade Technical Education Committee and of the Board of Examiners since its formation, and was the former's representative on the Advisory Committee on Examinations for wood-cutting machinists of the City and Guilds of London Institute, of which he was subsequently elected chairman. His interest in technical education was further shown by the delivery of a number of lectures on wood-working machinery before various bodies, including the London Chamber of Commerce, the Universities of Sheffield and Bristol, and the Gloucestershire Engineering Society. During the war of 1914-18 Mr. Rowles was of great assistance to the Department of Forestry and was publicly thanked for his services. He also found time to make extensive researches into the testing of saws and machine tools, and to contribute numerous articles to various trade journals. He was elected an Associate Member of the Institution in 1937. His death occurred on 11th February 1948."