William George Abbott
William George Abbott (1886-1948)
1949 Obituary [1]
"WILLIAM GEORGE ABBOTT, O.B.E., who was born at Exeter in 1886, retained a connection with his native city during almost the whole of his lifetime. After serving his apprenticeship from 1902 to 1905 with Messrs. Day and Sons, engineers, of Okehampton, he found employment with Messrs. Gould Brothers, motor engineers, of Exeter, and five years later was made engineer-in-charge.
In 1915 he enlisted in the Royal Army Service Corps and proceeding later to East Africa received a commission, and was posted to the command of base workshops. He was twice mentioned in despatches and was awarded the M.B.E. in 1918, and advanced to O.B.E. a year later. On demobilization in 1919, with the rank of captain, he returned to Messrs. Gould as works manager.
In 1926 he went into business on his own account and established the firm of Messrs. Abbott and Mundy, motor engineers, Exeter. Subsequently the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Abbott, however, continued to direct the business until his death, which occurred on 22nd March 1948. He had been an Associate Member of the Institution since 1920."