Click the image above to see in more detail.
1956-1957: John Furze Bancroft Vidal
John Furze Bancroft Vidal (b. 1892)
President of the Institution of Locomotive Engineers
Educated at Tonbridge School, Vidal was trained as an engineer at Crompton and Co. Ltd., Chelmsford, and became particularly interested in the railway mechanical and electrical branches.
His first appointment, in 1911, was with the Patent Lighting Company which brought him into close touch with the Furness, Highland and North British railways and also with the London and South Western and Midland in connection with the installation and maintenance of the Grob constant voltage system of train lighting.
He was temporarily commissioned in the Royal Engineers in January 1915, and as a brigade signal officer attached to the Ninth Division, he assisted during the battle of Loos in the first experimental use of trench wireless signalling. Soon afterwards he transferred to the first Wireless Signal Company taking an active part in the early development of Army wireless field signalling equipment. In 1918 he transferred to the Royal Air Force Signals Experimental Establishment, then at Biggin Hill.
Returning to civilian life, Vidal joined J. Stone and Co. Ltd., Deptford, in 1920, being responsible for the design and sale of some of this company’s railway specialities. He is a director of its subsidiaries Stone-Wallwork, Ltd., the Coleman-Wallwork Co. Ltd., and Mead McLean and Co. Ltd.
He was elected a Member of the Institution of Locomotive Engineers in 1932 and was a Member of its Council and of the Finance and General Purposes Committee. He also served on the Visits Committee for over 20 years including as Chair.
Image Details
| Title | |
|---|---|
| Creator | Unknown |
| Date of Creation | Unknown |
| Description | |
| Archive Reference | |
| Media | |
| Dimensions | N/A |
