Henry Vincent Whittaker
Henry Vincent Whittaker (1891-1946)
1948 Obituary [1]
"HENRY VINCENT WHITTAKER was associated with the cement Industry during almost the whole of his professional career.
He was born in 1891 and received his general education at Preston Grammar School. His technical training, which extended over nine years, was obtained at Preston Technical College, West Ham Technical School, the Municipal Technical School in Birmingham, and the Manchester School of Technology. On the completion of a five years' apprenticeship with Messrs. Thomas Dryden, Ltd., general engineers, of Preston, in 1911, he found temporary employment with various engineering firms, including the M. and G. Truck and Engineering Company, with whom he was engaged as leading draughtsman. After gaining experience in several cement works, where he filled positions as clerk of the works and assistant works manager, he joined in 1918 the staff of the Bradford Dyers Association, Ltd., at Manchester, and was employed on power plant tests and improvement of plant.
Three years later he entered into partnership with Mr. William Gilbert, M.Inst.C.E., consulting engineer, the firm specializing in cement and lime works. On the dissolution of the partnership in 1923 Mr. Whittaker continued to practise on his own account, but in the following year he began an association with Messrs. Turners Asbestos Cement Company which lasted almost to the end of his career. After holding the post of technical engineer and personal assistant to the managing director for six years he was appointed works manager and eventually was in control of some 2,000 employees. Mr. Whittaker relinquished this appointment and joined the board of the Uxbridge Flint Brick Company, Ltd., a few months before his death which occurred on 28th June 1946. He had been an Associate Member of the Institution since 1929."