John Wakeford
John Wakeford (1833-1888)
1889 Obituary [1]
JOHN WAKEFORD was born on the 17th of December, 1833.
He served a pupilage under the late Mr. R. Allen Stickney, Surveyor to the Public Health Commissioners of Brighton, who was employed at that time on trigonometrical surveys and in drainage and sea-defence works.
Mr. Wakeford mas then engaged by the Brighton, Hove and Preston Waterworks Company to prepare plans of the mains, hydrants, &c., belonging to the Company.
In 1864 he became assistant to Mr. J. G. Poole, Surveyor to the Local Board of Health, Southampton, when he revised the Board's copy of the Ordnance Survey of the town.
From 1854 to 1867 Mr. Wakeford was Assistant Borough Surveyor of Leicester, having the superintendence of extensive drainage operations, street-works, and surveys.
During 1857-8 he was engaged temporarily with Mr. J. G. Poole, and also Mr. C. E. Bernard, of Cardiff.
In 1868-9 he was Clerk of the Works and assistant to Mr. Edward Gibbs, Surveyor to the Local Board of Stratford-upon-Avon, in charge of the main-drainage works.
In 1860-60 he was engaged by Messrs. Flint and Shenton, surveying extensions of the Borough of Leicester and in making a copy of the plans of that borough.
In 1860 he was appointed Assistant Borough Surveyor of Wolverhampton, engaged in preparing a scheme of main drainage for that town, which was approved by the Local Government Board. He held this appointment until 1865, when he became assistant to Mr. R. A. Marillier, Engineer to the Hull Docks. From 186G to 1867 he was Surveyor to the Beverley and Barmstone Drainage Commissioners.
The experience gained in these very varied engagements prepared him for the post in which he was destined to pass the remainder of his life. In 1868 he was engaged by the late Mr. J. J. Montgomery, Borough Surveyor of Belfast, as an assistant, and on that gentleman’s death in 1884, Mr. Wakeford became Chief Assistant Borough Surveyor under his successor, Mr. J. C. Bretland. Mr. Wakeford held this office until his death on the 6th of June, 1888.
Mr. Wakeford was elected an Associate Member on the 6th of May, 1886. He was a very careful and painstaking engineer of the second rank, and although not destined to attain an independent position, he left a considerable reputation for good and thorough work.