Tristram Foster Spence
Tristram Foster Spence (c1912-1941)
1942 Obituary [1]
LIEUT. TRISTRAM FOSTER SPENCE, B.Sc., R.N., received his education at Felsted School and Armstrong College, Newcastle upon Tyne, graduating B.Sc. at Durham University. After serving his apprenticeship from 1929 to 1934 with Messrs. Swan, Hunter and Wigham Richardson and Company, Ltd., where he gained experience in the general construction of marine engines and engine rooms, he was appointed engineer and designer to the Internal Heating Company at Wingate, Co. Durham, where he was engaged on the investigation of the Morgan process of low-temperature coal carbonization, and on the design, construction, and erection of all plant connected therewith.
Mr. Spence remained with this firm from 1934 until 1940 and during that period he was also responsible for the design and construction of a 7-ton per diem Morgan low-temperature coal carbonizing retort and for the erection of all gas-washing and cooling equipment. He was elected a Graduate of the Institution in 1938 and was transferred to Associate Membership in the same year.
In 1940 he obtained a commission as sub-lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Subsequently he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, R.N. His death in action on HMS Hood, on 24th May 1941, cut short a career of great promise.