Frank Fitzjames
Frank Fitzjames (1841-1881)
1882 Obituary [1]
MR. FRANK FITZJAMES commenced his professional career in 1856 as an assistant to Mr. J. W. James, M. Inst. C.E., on the Buffalo and Lake Huron Railway of Canada, and served for three and a half years.
In 1859 he went to India, where he was first employed on the Jubbulpore line of the East Indian Railway Company, also under Mr. James, and Mr. Alexander Grant.
He was then temporarily engaged on the Darjeeling Hill Road.
He entered the local public works establishment in the Central Provinces in May 1862, and was occupied on the construction of the Sealdah Market, Calcutta, the Mudapoora Road, and the projects of water supply to Darjeeling.
In January 1866, he was brought on to the strength of the imperial establishment of the Government of India with the rank of assistant engineer, first grade, his duties being the charge of the Korai GhM on the Jubbulpore and Nagpore Road, and the Saugor Road division; in the latter capacity he was instrumental in bringing to light the bad construction of the Saugor barracks, which caused a great sensation at the time.
He was promoted to executive engineer, fourth grade, on the 1st September, 1867, and held charge of several divisions, during the next five years, in the Central Provinces.
On the 1st of March, 1869, he became executive engineer, third grade.
In 1872 he was transferred to the establishment of the inspector-general of military works, and posted to the Dinapore division, and attained another step. In December 1873 he was transferred to the N. W. P. Provincial establishment, and posted to the charge of the Muttra-Hattrass Light Railway.
In June 1874 he was appointed to the Benares Provincial division, and on the 1st of September was raised to the rank of executive engineer, first grade.
On return from furlough in October 1877. he was placed in charge of the Benares district. He was temporarily employed as superintending engineer on several occasions, and was officiating as superintending engineer of the First Circle, Buildings and Roads Branch, N. W. P. and Oudh when he died, at Mussoorie, on the 9th of August, 1881, aged forty.
It must frequently happen in a service like that of the Public Works Department of India that a good engineer may remain for many years without an opportunity of earning special professional distinction. This was the case with Mr. Fitzjames, who, however, was an excellent man of business, and a thoroughly good departmental officer.
Mr. Fitzjames was elected an Associate on the 1st of April, 1873, and transferred to Member on the 16th of March, 1875.