1956: Thomas Arkle Crowe

1956: Thomas Arkle Crowe

 

Thomas Arkle Crowe (1896-1972)

71st President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Crowe was born in Bothal, Northumberland, England, in 1896. He attended Durham School, then Armstrong College. He graduated with BSc in 1920 and MSc in 1922. He served a premium apprenticeship with R & W Hawthorn, Leslie and Co, Ltd., Newcastle upon Tyne.

From 1917 to 1919 he served in the Royal Navy as Temporary Engineer Sub-Lieutenant and was subsequently promoted to Engineer Lieutenant Commander, Special Reserve, Royal Navy.

He returned to R & W Hawthorn, Leslie and Co, Ltd. from 1921 to 1934. He began in the drawing office and was then promoted to the position of Assistant Outside Manager, then General Manager. In 1935, he moved to John Brown and Co. Ltd., Clydebank, in 1935. He remained in this position until 1951. During his time there he was responsible for the design and construction of the machinery for Queen Elizabeth and Caronia liners, Duke of York and Vanguard battleships and the air carrier, Indefatigable.

In 1951, Crowe joined the North British Locomotive Co Ltd as Chief Managing Director. In 1955, he became Chairman of the company, as well as of Carntyne Steel Castings Co. Ltd., and Henry Pels and Co., Ltd., and Director of Rail Traction Supplies, Ltd.

He died in 1972.

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