Albert Brinley Powell
Albert Brinley Powell (c1896-1948)
1949 Obituary [1]
"ALBERT BRINLEY POWELL was associated with the electrical side of mechanical engineering during the whole of his professional career. The war of 1914-18, however, prevented him from making a start in his profession until 1919. During the war he obtained a commission in the Royal Garrison Artillery and was on active service overseas for two and a half years. On demobilization he studied electrical engineering at the University College, Cardiff, where he graduated B.Sc. (Wales), in 1922.
After serving a brief apprenticeship with the Tredegar Iron and Coal Company, Ltd., he joined the staff of the English Electric Co as a junior engineer at the Dick Kerr Works in Preston and later was made outside engineer in charge of erection. On his return in 1928 from South America, where he had been engaged as resident engineer on the electrification of the La Guaira and Caracas Railway, he again took up his previous appointment at Preston and subsequently acted for a brief period as assistant works manager.
In 1930 he became outside manager of the Diesel traction department of Messrs. Sir W. G. Armstrong-Whitworth and Company, Ltd., of Newcastle upon Tyne, with responsibility for the erection, testing, and servicing of Diesel-electric locomotives. Since 1939, Mr. Powell was employed as a mechanical and electrical engineer in the office of the Directorate-General of Works, Air Ministry; he held this position up to the time of his death, which occurred on 23rd April 1948 in his fifty-second year. He was elected an Associate Member of the Institution in 1934, and he was also an Associate Member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers."