Henry Winterbottom Broadbent
Henry Winterbottom Broadbent (1895-1950)
1939 M.Sc., A.M.I.Mech.E., F.I.I.A. Headmaster, Acton Tech. School, High Street, Acton, W.3 • Private Address: 96 Cavendish Avenue, Harrow, Mddx. Age: 43 • Career: Victoria Univ., Manchester. Research Fellow of the Univ. (1st Class Hons. B.Sc.); Asst. Chief Tech. Engr., Mather & Platt Ltd.; Stretford Tech. Coll., 1930; Acton Tech. Coll., 1933.
1951 Obituary [1]
"HENRY WINTERBOTTOM BROADBENT, M.SC., was identified with technical education for many years and at the time of his death, which occurred on 20th March 1950, was the Principal of Enfield Technical College. He was born in 1895 and began his career as a clerk in the office of the Hartford Spinning Company, Ltd., Oldham, which was followed by a three years' pupilage in the drawing office of Messrs. Taylor and Simpson, architects and civil engineers, of the same town. His technical education, which extended from 1909 to 1922, was obtained at the Oldham Municipal Technical College and at the Victoria University of Manchester where he graduated B.Sc. with first-class honours in engineering in 1922, proceeding later to the degree of M.Sc. Meanwhile he received further practical training as an apprentice in the shops and drawing office of Messrs. Royce, Ltd., Manchester. Thus equipped he was placed in charge of the drawing office of Messrs. Cleworth Wheal and Company, Ltd., Castleton, and he remained there until 1923 when he became assistant designer and technical engineer to Messrs. Mather and Platt, Ltd., Manchester. After occupying various positions, including those of test, maintenance, and research engineer, he was subsequently appointed chief draughtsman with responsibility for the running of the pump department. In 1931, however, Mr. Broadbent's thoughts turned towards teaching, his initial experience in this direction being that of assistant head of instruction centres for the Manchester Education Committee. Later he was appointed assistant master with responsibility for the electrical engineering department of the Stretford (Manchester) education committee. In 1933 he became an assistant master at Acton Technical College (Middlesex), and two years later he was made head master of the junior technical school with control of a large staff of assistants. In 1938 he became vice-principal, the duties of which office included all technical and administrative matters in addition to the provision of equipment and the supervision of maintenance. His transference to Enfield as Principal of the Technical College there took place in May 1941. Mr. Broadbent was elected a Graduate of the Institution in 1922, he became an Associate Member in 1923 and a Member in 1939."