Harold Smith (1879-1918)
1921 Obituary [1]
HAROLD SMITH, M.B.E., was born at Blackpool on 3rd June 1879, and was educated at King William's College, Isle of Man.
He served his apprenticeship at the Salford Iron Works of Messrs. Mather and Platt, Ltd., and on its completion in 1904 became works manager of their electric motor department. During this latter period he was largely responsible for the removal of the firm's electrical manufacturing departments to the Park Works, Newton Heath.
In 1907 he went to Canada, and worked as assistant superintendent, and later, superintendent, of the shops of the Montreal Light, Heat and Power Co., until December 1909.
From that date he took over the works managership of the Canadian Crocker Wheeler Co., Ltd., and built and equipped their new works at St. Catherine's, Ontario.
He returned to Messrs. Mather and Platt's employ early in 1912, as assistant works manager of the Park Works. Among the inventions he brought out may be mentioned that of an interpole variable-speed electric motor, in 1906, and an improvement in the construction and manufacture of steam-heated drying cylinders.
During the War he devoted his time almost entirely to the production of war munitions, and the heavy and continuous work so enfeebled his constitution that he contracted influenza, from which he died on 27th December 1918, at the age of thirty-nine.
He became a Graduate of this Institution in 1904, an Associate Member in 1905, and a Member in 1916.