Richard Francis Alford
Richard Francis Alford (1849-1882)
1883 Obituary [1]
RICHARD FRANCIS ALFORD, the eldest son of Mr. Richard Alford, F.R.C.S., was born on the 8th of May, 1849, at Tewkesbury, in Gloucestershire. He was educated first at the Engineering College, Chester, and then became a pupil of Mr. E. Slaughter, M. Inst. C.E., from October 1865 to May 1870, at the Avonside Engine Works, Bristol, partly in the shops and partly in the drawing-office.
He remained with Mr. Slaughter some time after his pupilage was over; but, his health failing, he took a voyage to the West Indies. After his return he was engaged on various works, from May 1871 till the end of 1872; and in January 1873 he was again employed at the Avonside works, on some Fell engines for New Zealand, on Fairlie engines, and various other works.
From November 1878 until his death he was in the office of Hemans, Falkiner, and Tancred, at Westminster.
He was elected an Associate-Member of the Institution on the 6th of April, 1880. Mr. Alford had been delicate from infancy, and at the age of eighteen had an attack of pleurisy, from the effects of which he never fully recovered.
He died rather suddenly, on the 9th of December, 1882, from the bursting of an abscess on the brain.