William Beal Cole
William Beal Cole (1882-1942)
1942 Obituary [1]
WILLIAM BEAL COLE, one of the small band of electrical engineers who devoted most of a lengthy technical career to wireless, died on the 24th January, 1942.
He was born on the 9th May, 1882, and was educated at the Skinners' School, Tunbridge Wells, and from 1899 to 1902 at the City and Guilds Central Technical College, South Kensington.
During 1902 and 1903 he was Assistant Works Manager of the Renewable Electric Lamp Co., and from 1903 to 1905 Electrical Assistant with the National Telephone Co.
In March, 1905, he joined the engineering staff of Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Co., and was a member of that staff until the end of 1939. During this time he carried out a great many important contracts for the installation of wireless in lighthouses and ships, and particularly for battleships and destroyers built in Britain for foreign governments. These duties took him to many countries, including the Faroe Islands, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Turkey.
From 1920 onwards he was mainly engaged in the Designs Department, where he was an authority on aerials for medium and long wavelengths.
In 1919 he married Isobel, eldest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Fraser of Inverness.
In February, 1940, he became an Examiner in the Aeronautical Inspection Directorate of the Air Ministry.
He was elected an Associate Member of The Institution in 1908 and a Member in 1941.
An ardent Mason, he was Worshipful Master of the Queen Alexandra Lodge in 1937, and was member of a Chapter. A man of many social interests he was an enthusiast for foreign travel, a great reader of classical literature and fond of music. He was much interested in modern thought movements and was always eager to express his ideas and knowledge in writing. His outstanding qualities were those of character. An inward serenity of spirit, a wonderful goodness of heart, kindness to those in sorrow or trouble, and a fine loyalty, endeared him to many