Henry Tomlison
Henry Tomlison (1844-1884)
1884 Obituary [1]
HENRY TOMLISON was born at Walton-le-Dale in the year 1844, and on leaving school in 1858 was placed for five years with his brother, Mr. Charles Tomlison, at the Wolverhampton Waterworks.
In 1863, before he was twenty years of age, he was appointed manager, and in 1869 engineer and manager of the Cambridge University and Town Waterworks, which position he filled till his death on the 23rd of June, 1884.
During his connection of 21 years with the Cambridge Waterworks Company he rendered most valuable service in extending and perfecting the works. Although young when appointed to take office, the Directors foresaw that he would develop into a man of great scientific acquirements and practical skill. His ability as engineer and manager to the Cambridge and Trowbridge Water-Companies earned him the entire confidence of the Directors and others connected therewith, by whom he was held in the light of a personal friend. His engineering skill was not confined to Cambridge alone. He devised and carried out the waterworks at Trowbridge, Melksham, Frome, and Devizes; and his was also the scheme for the Warminster Waterworks, and reconstruction of the Ely Waterworks. He was also the engineer to the Frome Local Board sewerage-scheme.
Mr. Tomlison was an acute-minded, active, and straightforward man, indefatigable in the pursuit of any matter which he took in hand, and very well informed in all the details of waterworks management. He was especially versed in the distribution of water under the constant-supply system, and in domestic fittings for waterworks purposes.
In 1867 he was retained by the Metropolitan Board of Works to give evidence before the Select Committee on the Metropolis water supply, as to the successful operation of the constant-supply system in Cambridge. His physique was cast in a small and delicate mould, but the activity of his mind betokened no hint that the professional draughts upon it were too great.
His death therefore at the early age of thirty-nine caused surprise as well as sorrow.
Nr. Tomlison was elected an associate on the 6th of February, 1872, and was transferred to membership on the 30th of November, 1880.