John Edward Storey
John Edward Storey (1877-1917)
1917 Obituary [1]
JOHN EDWARD STOREY was born at Morpeth on 23rd June 1877.
His early education was received at Morpeth Grammar School and in Newcastle-on-Tyne.
In 1893 he began a three years' apprenticeship with the Raleigh Cycle Co., Ltd., Nottingham, and during this latter period he attended technical classes at the University College, Nottingham.
On the completion of his apprenticeship he was engaged as draughtsman at the works of the Raby Cycle Fittings Co., Ltd., of Aston, Birmingham, and subsequently was promoted to be works manager.
During 1898-9 he held a similar position with Bozons, Ltd., cycle manufacturers, Reading, and in the succeeding two years with Messrs. Follows and Bates, Ltd., Engineers, Gorton, Manchester.
In 1901 he became works manager to the Newall Engineering Co., Ltd., Warrington, being shortly afterwards made general manager. In this position he introduced and commenced to manufacture the Newall limit-gauges, which are extensively used in connexion with war work. External and internal micrometers and a measuring machine were also made, all of his design. It was through his work with this firm that he was invited to become a member of the Engineering Standards Committee.
In 1909 he left England to take up a position at the Whitehead Torpedo Works, Fiume, Hungary, but owing to the climate not agreeing with him he returned to England, and was engaged by Messrs. Petters, Ltd., of Yeovil, to reorganize their shops. Soon afterwards he was made works manager, and remained with the firm until September 1914.
He then joined the Austin Motor Co., to assist in organizing the shops for the manufacture of shells.
Owing to indifferent health, he accepted, in August 1915, a permanent position offered by Messrs. Burton, Griffiths and Co., Ltd., London. On behalf of the firm he made tour of the National Factories, and on his report the Ministry of Munitions engaged him to organize and speed up the output in the Government, factories.
Subsequently he spent four months in equipping and organizing a shop at the works of Messrs. William Asquith, Ltd., Halifax, that had been erected for the manufacture of shells, and returned to London in February 1917 to manage a small works on behalf of Messrs. Burton, Griffiths and Co.
On medical advice he underwent an operation, which had been too long deferred, and his strength proving too low to stand the shock, his death took place in London on 24th August 1917, at the age of forty.
He was elected a Member of this Institution in 1908.