Thomas Hardy Bertram

Thomas Hardy Bertram, ( -1889), Civil Engineer of the GWR

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1889 Obituary.

A PROMINENT figure in the railway engineering world has just passed away in Thomas Hardy Bertram, who died on the 23rd inst at Beckenham. Mr. Bertram retired several years since from active service, and was for a long period prior a Member Of the Institution of Civil Engineers. His career is more widely known in the early period of construction of the works of the Great Western and other railways in connection, carried out under the celebrated engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

During the early progress of those works Mr. Bertram became one of his principal assistants, and subsequently his abilities and energy led, later on, to his promotion as chief. Under Mr. Brunel's supervision he carried out some of the heaviest works between, Chippenham, Bath, and Bristol, and also laid the foundation, in conjunction with Mr. (now Sir Daniel) Gooch, of the present "Swindon Works" of the Great Western Railway.

He also assisted in the erection and completion of the famous " Saltash Bridge," was engaged also in the construction of the Cornwall Railways, the works at Plymouth and the docks there. Later on he had charge of, and carried out, the construction of the Wilts Somerset and Weymouth, the Oxford and Birmingham, and Birmingham Wolverhampton and Dudley Railways; as well as the Brentford Railway and Docks, Henley and Uxbridge branches, and other important works of the Great Western Railway. His high abilities led to his being consulted by Mr. Brunel in the difficulties with the launch of the celebrated Great Eastern steamship, whose aid materially assisted its effectual launching.

His talents were not confined to this country, having been consulted by the Government in connection with the Victorian Railways of Australia; he was also consulted in relation to many enterprises in the north of England. The construction of the various works of the Great Western Railway drawing to a close, he was in 1851 elected by the directors of the company to be their chief engineer, and carried out the construction and erection of the present passenger and goods station and works at Paddington and of Kensal Town. He held that position with great ability until 1862, when he retired from active employment, after a period of unwearying service of over thirty years.

Of his personal qualities, those who at present exist, and were intimately associated with him in the various works, will testify to his consideration and kindness at all times; a good disciplinarian, disliking anything approaching oppression, he was just and considerate to all. His decease closes op the ranks of those few remaining pioneers of civilization who have conferred so many benefits on mankind, and although be bad ceased to be prominent, his removal from among us will not be learned with less regret.

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