Frederick Alexander Fleming
Frederick Alexander Fleming M.B.E. (1873-1941)
1942 Obituary [1]
FREDERICK ALEXANDER FLEMING, M.B.E., was general manager of the Grimsby Ice Company, Ltd. He was born in 1873, and at the age of eighteen he began his apprenticeship with Messrs. McFarlane and Machan, marine and general engineers. He joined the White Star Line in 1896 and remained in their service as engineer till 1901, when he went to America. There he was employed for three years in the workshops and drawing office of the Kilby Manufacturing Company of Cleveland, makers of pumping machinery.
On his return to England in 1904 he was engaged as leading draughtsman by Messrs. Bow, McLachlan, engineers and shipbuilders. Promotion to chief draughtsman followed when he entered the firm of Messrs. Clarke, Chapman and Company. Mr. Fleming received the M.B.E. for his services during the war of 1914-18 when he filled the post of General Manager of the Grimsby National Shell factory.
In 1919 he was appointed general manager of the Grimsby Ice Company, Ltd., a position which he held until his death, which occurred on 17th May 1941. During those years he was responsible for many improvements in the equipment of the firm's machinery, including the modern layout of electrically driven ammonia compressors, which was one of the largest installations of its kind in the country. He also held patents for an anchor windlass and an ice crusher of his own design, both of which were widely used. Mr. Fleming was elected a Member of the Institution in 1920.