Francis Allen (1852-1926)
1926 Obituary [1]
FRANCIS ALLEN was born on 9th May 1852, at Stoke Newington, and received his early education at the Friends' School, York.
He was entered as a premium apprentice at the Tees-Side Works of Messrs. Hopkins, Gilkes and Co., Middlesbrough, where he remained for four years, proceeding afterwards to Messrs. Ruston, Proctor and Co., Lincoln, where he gained further experience in the drawing office.
After two years at Lincoln he went to Alexandria, where he joined the firm of Allen, Alderson and Co., engineers and contractors, and soon afterwards became a partner. He was responsible for various improvements in the machinery employed in Egyptian agriculture and irrigation, and became connected with many important engineering undertakings in Egypt, the work of his firm embracing a wide range of enterprises.
He and his partner, Sir George B. Alderson, were amongst the principal promoters of the project to acquire the fleet of steamers which formerly belonged to the late Khedive, Ismail Paella, and which was reorganized and enlarged under the title of the Khedevial Mail Steamship and Graving Dock Co., Ltd. Of this Company, Mr. Allen was a director and he retained this connexion - eventually becoming vice-president - until his death, which occurred on 26th April 1926, at his residence Cockley Cley Hall, Swaffham.
He became a Graduate of this Institution in 1874 and a Member in 1894.