John Machray Ledingham
John Machray Ledingham (1849-1912)
1912 Obituary [1]
JOHN MACHRAY LEDINGHAM was born at Aberdeen in 1849.
He served his time at the Royal Laboratory, Woolwich, from 1865 to 1870, and then worked as a turner at the works of Maudslay, Sons and Field during 1870 and 1871.
In the latter year he was engaged by the Indian Government, and until 1876 he was foreman of fitters and turners at the Small Arms Ammunition Factory, Kirkee, Bombay.
In 1876 he returned to England and was appointed foreman at the Royal Laboratory; and in 1885 he became principal foreman. Three years later be was promoted to be assistant manager, and manager in 1890.
This position he held until his death, which took place at Woolwich on 22nd July 1912, at the age of sixty-three.
He became a Member of this Institution in 1890.
1912 Obituary [2]
JOHN MACHRAY LEDINGHAM died suddenly on July 22, 1912, at the age of sixty-three.
He was born at Aberdeen in 1848, and was connected, except for a period of five years, with the West Laboratory of the Royal Ordnance Factories, Woolwich Arsenal, ever since he became twelve years of age.
After ten years' service in the Arsenal, he went to Kirkee, India, in 1871, as foreman in the Indian Ordnance Department, but returned to Woolwich in 1876.
Subsequently he was appointed to the danger buildings in the Arsenal, and some years later he was transferred to the torpedo factory, where he attained the post of principal foreman.
In 1890 he accepted the important position of manager of the West Laboratory - the position he held at the time of his death. His work in the Arsenal twice received recognition from the Government, who made him several awards for improvements in the manufacture of shells and fuses.
He was a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and was elected a member of the Iron and Steel Institute in 1898.