Thomas Thornycroft Vernon
Thomas Thornycroft Vernon (1862-1919) of W. Vernon and Sons
1862 Born the son of William Vernon
1904 'VERNON, Capt. T. Thornycroft, Wyborne Gate, Birkdale, Southport. Cars: Two 4.5-h.p. Locomobiles, 7-h.p. Panhard, 4-h.p. Daimler, 18-h.p. Mercedes. Total distance travelled since becoming a motorist: About 6,000 miles. Hobbies: Shooting (game), golf, volunteering. Principal aim in furthering automobilism: To assist in bringing the motor-car into general use, believing they will materially assist business, add to the general store of pleasure, take people more out into the country,. spread the area of towns, be indispensable in war operations, and generally cheapen travelling. Clubs: Exchange (Liverpool),. A.C.G.B. & I., L.S.P.T.A.' [1]
1919 Obituary [2]
T. THORNYCROFT VERNON, of Shotwick Park, Chester, was born in 1862, and was the third son of Sir William Vernon, Bart., of Shotwick Park, and was a member of the well-known flour milling firm of Messrs. William Vernon & Sons, London and Liverpool.
He was trained as an electrical and marine engineer, and in the great milling firm in which he was a partner he devoted himself mainly to the mechanical side of the industry. Amongst his early experiences before joining the firm was that of assisting to lay the Bennett Mackay cable across the Atlantic on the S.S. "Faraday."
Always keenly interested in military matters he received his first commission in 1895, in the 4th Volunteer Battalion the King's (Liverpool Regiment), which later became the 7th Territorial Battalion the King's (Liverpool Regiment), retiring with the rank of Major in 1912. On the outbreak of War he rejoined his old Battalion, was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, and raised and trained the second line, rendering important service on the S.E. Coast Defences, and on being transferred to the T.F. Reserve in 1916, he was "honourably mentioned" for his services, and later appointed Honorary Commandant of the 10th (Wallasey) V.B. Cheshire Regiment. As an Officer he always took the greatest interest in the welfare of his men, and carried the same principles into his relations with the employees of his firm.
In addition to his engineering work, he showed the greatest interest in agriculture, and took great pride in running a farm at Shotwick on the most up-to-date lines of scientific farming, and in furthering the breeding of high-class stock in the County of Chester. Amongst other positions held by him were those of President of the Cheshire Agricultural Society, Chairman of the Chester Rural District Council, and Justice of the Peace. His death in January, 1919, was a great loss, both to this district and to those districts where he had estates, and to the County, as his numerous activities had been of the greatest benefit to the public.
Lieut.-Col. T. Thornycroft Vernon was elected a Member of the Liverpool Engineering Society on 16th November, 1904.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ Motoring Annual and Motorist’s Year Book 1904
- ↑ 1919 Liverpool Engineering Society: Obituaries