William Alfred Simper
William Alfred Simper (1868-1939)
1939 Obituary [1]
"WILLIAM ALFRED SIMPER was born in 1868 and was educated at Peterborough School from 1874 to 1882.
He served his apprenticeship at the works of the St. Pancras Iron Work Company, Ltd., London, from 1887 to 1889, during which period he attended Finsbury Technical College.
During the two years following the completion of his apprenticeship he gained general engineering experience in various firms, and in 1891 he was engaged by Messrs. Richard Hornsby and Sons, Ltd., of Grantham, Lincs. After spending some time in the erecting shops of this company he was employed in testing and experimenting work on oil engines. He became chief expert in oil engines to this company in 1897, and in 1905 was appointed assistant to the manager in the oil engine and water-tube boiler departments of this firm. He was later appointed as the London manager of Messrs. Blackstone and Company, Ltd., Stamford, Lincs, in which capacity he was concerned with the development of the export trade of this firm. He was elected an Associate Member of the Institution in 1906, and he died on 10th January 1939."