Restal Ratsey Bevis, (Junior)

Restal Ratsey Bevis, Junior (1854-1931), Managing Director of Cammell, Laird and Co

Note: There a number of variations on the spelling of the first name but in 1911 Restal junior clearly writes it as 'Restal' so that has been assumed for the father also.

c1854 Born at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the son of Restal Ratsey Bevis

1871 Living at 14 Caroline Place, Claughton with Grange, Cheshire: Restal Ratsey Bevis (age 45 born Cowes, IOW), a Civil Engineer. With his wife Jane Bevis (age 39 born Brazil, British subject) and their children Restell R. Bevis (age 17 born Brazil, British subject), Annie Jane Bevis (age 19 born Brazil, British subject), May Bevis (age 11 born Birkenhead), Gertrude R. Bevis (age 8 born Birkenhead), Ada Louisa Bevis (age 7 born Birkenhead), Hilda Bevis (age 5 born Birkenhead), Guy Bevis (age 3 born Birkenhead), and Eva Kerina Bevis (age 1 born Birkenhead). Five servants.

1878 Married Catherine Daulby Wedgwood at Newcastle-upon-Tyne

1878 December 23rd. Premature birth of a daughter.

1880 Birth of daughter Katharine Wedgwood Bevis (1880–1953)

1884 Birth of daughter Olga Wedgwood Bevis (1884– )

1886 Birth of daughter Doris Wedgwood Bevis (1886–1903)

1898 of 2 Boundary Road, Birkenhead, gained a patent with Joseph Hamilton Gibson, engineer of Egremont, Chester, on "improvements in double beat or equilibrium valves".

1911 Living at Hamptoune, Birkenhead: Restal Ratsey Bevis (age 57 born Petropolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Managing Director of Shipbuilding and Engineering Works. With his wife (married 33 years with four children of whom two are living) Catherine Bevis (age 57 born Rock Ferry, Cheshire) and their daughter Katharine Wedgwood Bevis (age 30 born Birston, Cheshire). Three servants.

1922 Member of Council of I.N.A. Director of Chadburn's (Ship) Telegraph Co., Ltd. Address: Hamptoune, Vyner Road, Birkenhead.

1931 March 21st. Died. Of Shaftsbury House, Formby, Lancs. Probate to Katherine Wedgwood Bevis, Spinster, and Olga Wedgwood Watson Smyth (wife of Edward Watson Smyth).

---

1931 Obituary

MARINE engineers will learn with regret of the death on Saturday of last week, March 21st, at Birkenhead, of Mr. Restal Ratsey Bevis, who was for many years the managing director of Cammell Laird and Co., Ltd., of Birkenhead.

Mr. Bevis was born at Petropolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1854. His father, Mr. Ratsey Restal Bevis, was for many years one of the principals of Laird Brothers.

In 1870 young Bevis was apprenticed to Laird Brothers, of Birkenhead, and in his training during the following seven years he obtained a wide knowledge of the firm 's work, after which he spent a period of three years at sea in ships of the National Steamship Company and the Pacific Steam Navigation Company.

In 1877 he was appointed assistant engineering manager at Birkenhead with charge of the outside work, including repairs to hulls and machinery, and with the control and management of trials.

Later he became the engineering manager with the full charge of all the plant and the management of the docks. When, in 1900, the firm became a limited liability company, Mr. Bevis was appointed managing director and general manager, a position he held until his retirement in 1912, when he was succeeded by the late Sir George J . Carter. During his management of Laird Brothers he was responsible for one of the first "River" class type destroyers built for the British Government, immediately followed by H.M.S. "Swift," the pioneer of high-powered, high-speed "leaders."

Although about 1912 he practically retired from active business pursuits, be retained office in a consulting capacity until 1920.

Somewhat later he became the director of the Liverpool and North Wales Steamship Company, and he was also a director of Chadburns, Ltd., and the Fairfield Shipbuilding Company, Ltd., for some years. He was a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, a past President of the Liverpool Engineering Society, and Member of Council of the Institution of Naval Architects, and a member of the Shipwrights' Company.

He took a great interest in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and was an Hon. Lieutenant.

He was greatly respected in Birkenhead and Liverpool, and a large number of engineers attended his funeral at Birkenhead on Wednesday last, March 25th.

---

See Also

Loading...