Walter Judd (1852-1930)
Walter Judd (1852-1930)
1930 Obituary [1]
WALTER JUDD was born in October, 1852, and died at Bracknell, Berkshire, on the 20th February, 1930.
He entered the service of the Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Co. in July, 1870, being rapidly promoted to the position of local manager in 1874. He served in this capacity at all the principal stations of the company, including Singapore, Shanghai, Hong-Kong and Penang, and in 1886 he was appointed manager in the Far East.
In April, 1897, he became assistant electrician-in-chief in London to the Eastern Telegraph Co. and its associated group of companies, succeeding Mr. H. A. Q. Saunders as electrician-in-chief in January, 1905, upon the latter's retirement.
Mr. Judd's association with the electrical department of the associated companies signalized the beginning of reorganization and development of improved methods of working, and to his marked ability, untiring energy, and devotion to the companies' interests great advances were due. The primitive methods which survived from earlier days were soon modified in accordance with the more up-to-date principles upon which the present system has developed. The use of more delicate and intricate apparatus, for the design of which he was responsible, permitted the great increase in traffic to be carried. A vast amount of research in the manufacture and balancing of cables was also necessary in order that full advantage might be taken of the benefits accruing from the improved apparatus. The combined results of the investigations carried out under his direction laid the foundation for the present-day methods of working, which have practically revolutionized the art of cable and submarine telegraphy, and with which his name will always be associated.
During the War a great strain was thrown upon Mr. Judd and the technical department of the companies, by the necessity for maintaining the all-important cable communications, and for assisting the Government by meeting their many requirements for urgent strategic connections in all parts of the world.
With the declaration of the Armistice Mr. Judd intimated his retirement, which took effect in March, 1919, after he had completed 49 years of cable service. He possessed a strong personality, which imbued his staff with confidence and a desire to emulate their leader.
He became an Associate of the Institution in 1875, and a Member in 1877. He served on the Council for many years between 1905 and 1919, including a period of office as Vice-President from 1912 to 1915.