William Edward Miles
William Edward Miles (1860-1906)
1906 Obituary [1]
WILLIAM EDWARD MILES was born at Copenhagen on 22nd August 1860, and was educated at the East London Collegiate School.
He received his technical education at the City of London College from 1876 to 1878. During this period he served an apprenticeship in the shops and drawing office of Messrs. Humphrys, Tennant and Co., marine engineers, Deptford, London. On its completion in 1881 he remained with the firm for one year in the drawing office.
In the following year he was employed in the drawing office of Messrs. Oswald Mordaunt and Co., engineers and shipbuilders, of Southampton; and from 1883 to 1885 he acted as engineer to Messrs. Tatham and Co., shipowners of London.
In 1885 he received an appointment in the drawing office of the Royal Gun Factory, Woolwich, being chiefly engaged on the design of breech mechanism of the large naval guns.
In 1891 he was appointed principal foreman of the engine branch, with charge of the power plant; and when the authorities decided to equip the Royal Gun Factory with motors for electric driving, his branch was made responsible for the installation and maintenance of the plant.
In 1903 he was promoted to the tank of Assistant Manager, and held this position at the time of his death, which took place, after a short illness, on 19th February 1906, in his forty-sixth year.
He became a Member of this Institution in 1904.