Harold Thomas Ashton
Harold Thomas Ashton (1867-1910)
1911 Obituary [1]
DR. HAROLD THOMAS ASHTON was born at Darwen on 21st April 1867.
He was educated at Owens College, Manchester, where he gained the Fairbairn prize and first-class awards in engineering, applied mathematics, etc., together with honours in the Bachelor of Science degree. This was followed by his obtaining the Master of Science degree in 1889, and that of Doctor of Science in 1900.
His apprenticeship of over four years was served at Messrs. W. and J. Yates' Canal Foundry in Blackburn.
On the recommendation of Professor Osborne Reynolds, of Victoria University, Manchester, he was appointed, in 1890, mechanical assistant to the superintendent of the Royal Laboratory, Woolwich Arsenal, and this position he held for over nine years.
In 1899 he was promoted to be assistant mechanical engineer under the chief mechanical engineer, which was followed in 1905 by his appointment as superintendent of the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield Lock.
During the tenure of this position he read a Paper at this Institution on "The Manufacture and Upkeep of Milling Cutters."
In 1908 his health became impaired and for the last two years of his life he was an invalid.
His death took place on 22nd December 1910, in his forty-fourth year.
He became a Member of this Institution in 1902; he was also a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers.
1911 Obituary [2]
HAROLD THOMAS ASHTON, D.Sc. (Victoria.), born on the 21st April, 1867, died after a prolonged illness at Belmont Park, Lee, on the 23rd December, 1910.
On leaving Owens College, Manchester, he served his apprenticeship to Messrs. W. and Y. Yates, Blackburn, and in 1890 was appointed special mechanical assistant in the Royal Laboratory, Woolwich Arsenal.
Subsequently he became Senior Assistant, and later, Mechanical Engineer at the Royal Ordnance Factories, and in 1905 he was appointed Superintendent of the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield Lock, a position which he held with signal ability until compelled by ill health to retire in 1909.
Dr. Ashton was elected an Associate Member of The Institution on the 6th December, 1892, and was transferred to the class of Members on the 18th February, 1902.