William Simmons
William Simmons (1880-1944) of Alfred Wiseman
1943/44 Obituary [1]
William Simmons was born in 1880 and served his apprenticeship with the Premier Gas Engine Co., Ltd. After a short period with Robeys, Ltd., Lincoln, he became in 1913 Works Manager to Martins, of Stamford.
After the war he transferred to Gleniffer Motors, Glasgow, as Works Manager, remaining with them until 1930, when he became General Manager of Alfred Wiseman, Ltd. He was later a Director of the Company. He was responsible for the design and production of several ranges of engines for Alfred Wiseman, Ltd.
He died on 28th February, 1944, at the age of 64.
He was elected a Member in 1932.
1945 Obituary [2]
WILLIAM SIMMONS was associated for forty years with the design, manufacture, and operation of all types of internal combustion engines. On the completion of a five years' apprenticeship with the Premier Gas Engine Company, Ltd., of Sandiacre, Notts, in 1901, he continued with that firm for a further ten years, as fitter, erector, and tester. After brief periods of employment in a similar capacity with Messrs. Willans and Robinson, of Rugby, and Messrs. Robey and Company, Ltd., of Lincoln, he became works manager to the Martin's Cultivator Company, Ltd., of Stamford, Lines., and was responsible for the reorganization of the works.
In 1919 he accepted a similar appointment with Messrs. Gleniffer Motors, Ltd., of Glasgow, with direct responsibility to the managing director for the entire works, in addition to assisting in the design and building of all kinds of internal combustion engines. After holding this position for eleven years he received his final appointment as general manager to Messrs. Alfred Wiseman and Company, Ltd., mechanical and electrical engineers, of Birmingham, and two years later joined the board of directors. Subsequently he became managing director.
Mr. Simmons, whose death occurred in his sixty-fourth year on 28th February 1944, was elected an Associate Member of the Institution in 1919 and was transferred to Membership in 1930.