John Chamberlain (c1858-1940)
Assistant Engineer, Gas Light and Coke Co's Tar and Liquor Works, Beckton, London, E.
1941 Obituary [1]
JOHN CHAMBERLAIN served his apprenticeship from 1874 to 1876 with Messrs. J. and A. Blyth, marine and mechanical engineers, of Limehouse, E., and was then employed as improver in the shops and drawing office of Messrs. Brown, Lenox and Company until 1877 when he became draughtsman, and later chief of works, for Messrs. S. Cutler and Sons, gas engineers, of Millwall.
From 1880 to 1888 he was engineering assistant at the Beckton works of the Gas Light and Coke Company, where he was engaged in designing and superintending the erection of gas and chemical plant. He then went to Australia as assistant engineer to the Metropolitan Gas Company of Melbourne and subsequently carried out extensions for gas-works in Victoria and Queensland.
In 1892 he was appointed assistant supervising engineer for bridges for the New South Wales Government and held that position until his return to England in 1893. He was subsequently employed by the Admiralty as an assistant in the Director of Works Department. During the war of 1914-18 he was engaged on work for the Ministry of Munitions, but was transferred to the Admiralty, on account of his special knowledge of gas, to act as specialist and adviser on hydrogen plant, to report on explosions, and to advise necessary preventive measures. Mr. Chamberlain, whose death occurred on 28th July 1940, in his eighty-second year, was re-elected a Member of the Institution in 1901, having previously been a Member from 1884 to 1894.