Cecil Edward Squire
Cecil Edward Squire (1882-1942), managing director of Willford and Co
1943 Obituary [1]
CECIL EDWARD SQUIRE was born in 1882 and educated at Christ's Hospital. After completing his apprenticeship with Messrs. A. Shardlow, Ltd. general engineers, of Sheffield, he began, in 1901, his association with Messrs. Willford and Company, makers of springs, which lasted for over forty years. During that long period he first gained practical experience as millwright, foreman engineer, and draughtsman, whilst at the same time receiving his technical education in the department of applied science of Sheffield University, where he won a scholarship and numerous prizes.
In 1909 he was appointed works manager to Messrs. Willford, and held that position for ten years, when he became general manager. He joined the board of directors in 1926 as joint managing director and was subsequently made managing director, a position which he filled until his death, which occurred on 30th September 1942. Mr. Squire was entirely responsible for the design and manufacturing side of the business, in addition to the carrying out of tests and inspection of materials.
He also invented and personally constructed a calculating machine for springs and was the author of several papers on spring manufacture and design. In addition he represented spring manufacturers on many committees and was chairman of the Technical Committee of the Heavy Coil Spring Federation. He was elected an Associate Member of the Institution in 1919 and was transferred to Membership in 1926.
1941/42 Obituary [2]
Cecil Edward Squire was born in 1882 and was apprenticed to general engineering.
In 1902 he joined the firm of Willford and Co., Ltd., Sheffield, and became successively Assistant Works Manager, Works Manager, and General Manager. At the time of his death he was Managing Director of the same firm.
He died on 30th September, 1942, at the age of 60.
He was elected a Member in 1927.
1942 Obituary.[3]
Cecil Edward Squire, elected a member in 1930, can be placed on the list of those who gave his life to his country in her hour of need. He had been warned and exhorted to do less several years ago, but his interest in his work was too great and he died suddenly on leaving the works of Messrs. Willford and Co., Ltd., of which: he was Managing Director, to attend a technical meeting in London,, on 30th Sept., 1942. He was 60 years of age on Sept. 13th last.
Mr. Squire was born in London and educated at Christ’s. Hospital. He went to Messrs. Ambrose Shardlow and Co., Sheffield, to serve his engineering apprenticeship and whilst there obtained one scholarship, twenty prizes and many certificates at Sheffield University. He joined Willford and Co. in 1902 as a fitter, but soon rose to machine shop foreman, progress officer, purchaser, assistant to managing director, works manager and1 general manager in 1917. In 1926 he was made joint Managing Director.
During his lifetime he designed and constructed a variety of spring making machinery, invented a calculating machine for springs and read several papers on Spring Manufacture and Design. His paper, entitled “ Some Points in the Design and Application of Carriage and Wagon Springs ” was read in Birmingham on- Dec. 21st, 1932, and published in Journal 113.
He was an enthusiastic motorist, having built and ridden his. own motor cycles before 1906.