John Allen Northfield
John Allen Northfied (1892-1944)
1946 Obituary [1]
JOHN ALLEN NORTHFIELD was born in 1892 and received his education at March Grammar School, this being followed by his technical education at the Ipswich Technical School. He received his practical training as a premium apprentice with Messrs. Reavell and Company, of Ipswich from 1908 to 1911, in whose employment he continued as a draughtsman for another year. For the next three years he gained further experience in a similar capacity with various engineering firms engaged on the construction of oil engines, including Messrs. Willans and Robinson, of Rugby.
Later he was engaged on experimental and research work in connection with the "Still" engine for the Engine Development Company, Westminster. In 1916 he joined Messrs. W. H. Allen Son and Company, of Bedford, where for three years he was chiefly concerned with the design of aero-engines. On the conclusion of an appointment as assistant to the chief designer in the crude oil engine department of Messrs. William Beardmore and Company, at Coatbridge, in 1921, he returned to Ipswich to resume his former association with Messrs. Reavell and Company and acted as their technical and sales assistant for twenty-one years.
During 1926-7 he was in America, and for a time was associated with the Gardener Denver Rock Drill Company, Quincy, III. From 1942 up to the time of his death, which occurred on 28th June 1944, he held the appointment of technical manager to the Key Engineering Company, in London. Mr. Northfield had been an Associate Member of the Institution since 1920.