James Hulse Humphryes
James Hulse Humphreys (1869-1927) chairman and managing director of Braithwaite (of Newport)
1927 Obituary [1]
JAMES HULSE HUMPHRYES, chairman and managing director of Messrs. Braithwaite and Company, was intimately associated with the construction of the Bombay and Sao Paulo pipe-lines, the Lower Ganges and Kasheli bridges and many power stations and factories.
He was a member of the council of the British Engineers Association and a representative on the council of Federation of British Industries. His eminent position was attained after a thorough engineering experience.
He was born at Wednesbury in 1869 and educated at Hartlebury Grammar School, West Bromwich Technical School, Manchester Technical School and Owens College.
His apprenticeship was served with Messrs. Braithwaite and Kirk, West Bromwich, and he afterwards spent a number of years as draughtsman with Messrs. Edward Wood and Company of Manchester.
In 1895 he was appointed chief draughtsman and outside manager, and in 1898 became a director of the firm.
His connexion with Messrs. Braithwaite and Company commenced with a partnership in 1912.
Mr. Humphryes was the inventor of an electric capstan for the screwing of cylinders and piles for bridge and jetty substructures, and the author of a paper on the construction of workshops and of a handbook on structural steelwork.
He became a Member of the Institution in 1909 and he died on 22nd May 1927.
1927 Obituary [2]
J. H. HUMPHRYES, chairman of Messrs. Braithwaite & Co., Engineers, Ltd., died in Johannesburg on May 22, 1927.
He was born at Wednesbury in 1869, and received his general education at Hartlebury Grammar School. At the age of sixteen he entered on a five years' apprenticeship with Messrs. Braithwaite and Kirk, of West Bromwich. Later, he was appointed draughtsman, and in that capacity was engaged on work in connection with bridge and roof construction, and hydraulic press and machine tool manufacture. Meanwhile his technical education was continued at West Bromwich Science School.
In 1891 he took up the appointment of draughtsman in the Ocean Ironworks of Messrs. Edward Wood & Co., where he was employed for some years on the design of factory buildings, bridges, cranes, and conveyors. During his spare time he attended science and engineering lectures at Manchester Technical School and at Owens College.
In 1895 he was promoted to the rank of chief draughtsman and outside manager, and three years later he became a director of the firm. In 1912 he joined Messrs. Braithwaite & Co. as a partner, subsequently becoming chairman and managing director of that concern.
He was elected a member of the Iron and Steel Institute in 1918.
1927 Obituary[3]
"THE LATE MR. J. H. HUMPHRYES.
We regret to note the death, following pneumonia, on May 22 last, at Johannesburg, of Mr. James Hulse Humphryes, chairman and managing director of Messrs. Braithwaite and Company, Engineers, Limited, Broadway Buildings, Westminster, London, S.W.L
Mr. Humphryes was born, at Wednesbury, on April 11, 1869, and received his general education at Hartlebury Grammar School. At the age of 16, he entered upon an apprenticeship of five years with Messrs. Braithwaite and Kirk, West Bromwich. After completing his training period he was appointed draughtsman, and in that capacity was engaged on work in connection with bridge and roof construction, and hydraulic-press and machine-tool manufacture. Meanwhile his technical education was continued at West Bromwich Science School. In 1891, Mr. Humphryes proceeded to Manchester to take up the appointment of draughtsman in the Ocean Ironworks of Messrs. Edward Wood and Company. He was there employed for some years on the design of factory buildings, bridges, cranes, and conveyors. During his spare time he attended science and engineering lectures at Manchester Technical School and at Owens College. In 1895, he was promoted to the rank of chief draughtsman and outside manager, and three years later he became a director of the firm, a position which he held for many years. In 1912, Mr. Humphryes joined the firm of Messrs. Braithwaite and Company as a partner, subsequently becoming chairman and managing director of that concern. He became a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in 1909, and was for many years a member of the Manchester Association of Engineers. He was also a member of the Council of the Federation of British Industries."