William Bamford
William Bamford (1871-1934), works manager to Dewrance and Co
1934 Obituary [1]
WILLIAM BAMFORD had been since 1919 works manager to Messrs. Dewrance and Company.
He was born at Little Gaddesden, Herts, in 1871, and received his technical education at Watford Technical School, and at Regent Street Polytechnic under Professor Henry J. Spooner, M.I.Mech.E.
In 1886 he commenced a five years' apprenticeship in the engineering department of Messrs. William Cooper and Nephews, chemical manufacturers, after which he was employed for short periods with the R. F. Hall Manufacturing Company, and the Crown Engine Works, Birmingham.
He joined Messrs. A. Ransome and Company in 1892 and was subsequently appointed to the outdoor staff, when he became responsible for the erection and running of woodworking plants in the British Isles and on the Continent.
His long association with Messrs. Dewrance dated from 1896. In 1905 he was appointed assistant works manager, becoming works manager fourteen years later. In this capacity he was concerned with the various research activities of Sir John Dewrance, G.B.E., Hon. M.I.Mech.E. (Past-President), especially in the selection of the most suitable designs and materials to meet the requirements of steam users. He was also responsible for large extensions to the works, and during the War he invented a type of snatch block for the Air Board, which was adopted as a standard design.
Mr. Bamford was elected to Associate Membership of the Institution in 1912 and was transferred to Membership in 1921.
His death occurred on 29th August 1934.
1934 Obituary [2]
WILLIAM BAMFORD died on August 29, 1934.
Born at Ashridge, Hertfordshire, he was educated at Berkhamsted School, and on leaving was apprenticed to Messrs. William Cooper & Nephews, chemical manufacturers, with whom he received his early training in their Engineering Department.
At the age of 20 he obtained a position with the R. F. Hall Manufacturing Company, Ltd., patentees of the air valve for cycle tyres, with the production of which Mr. Bamford was connected.
Later he joined the Crown Engine Works, Birmingham, manufacturers of wire-weaving and pin-making machines, and a year later obtained a position as fitter with Messrs. A. Ransome & Company Ltd., of Stanley Works, Chelsea, makers of wood-working machinery. He remained with this firm for four years and towards the end of this period was appointed to the outdoor staff, and was responsible for the erection and running of wood-working plants in various parts of the British Isles and on the Continent.
During this time Mr. Bamford studied under Professor Henry Spooner at the Regent Street Polytechnic, and in March, 1896, joined the firm of Dewrance & Company of London, manufacturers of boiler mountings and steam fittings.
In 1905 Mr. Bamford was appointed assistant works manager, and in 1919 became works manager, a position which he held until his death. As works manager Mr. Bamford was closely connected with the many research activities of Sir John Dewrance, concerning the selection of the most suitable designs and materials to meet the exacting requirements of steam users, necessitated by the steadily increasing pressures and superheats which have been introduced during the last twenty years.
Mr. Bamford took a keen interest in the welfare of the employees. He was chairman of the Sports Committee and Social Club. In his younger days he took an active interest in football, cricket, cross-country running, and rifle shooting; while in his later years he was an enthusiastic golfer. He was an active Freemason, having been initiated in Earl Amhers Lodge, and was a founder and Past-Master of United Engineers Lodge and a member of the Old Boys of Berkhamsted School Lodge. He was a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Mr. Bamford was elected a member of the Institute of Metals on May 1, 1923.