George McCulloch

McCULLOCH, Philip George Page, MIME (1877-1935)

Philip George Page McCulloch was born in London on January 20, 1877 the son of George McCulloch of Kirkcaldy, Scotland. He was educated at Cowper Street School, Islington, London. He studied mechanical engineering at Edinburgh University and served an apprenticeship with Douglas and Grant in Kirkcaldy. After four years working as a draughtsman with Richard Moreland and Sons, he moved to London where he was employed by James Simpson and Company, the manufacturers of water supply pumps and associated equipment.

McCullogh arrived in Western Australia in 1899 to take up the position of mechanical engineer at Kanowna Consolidated Goldmining Co., where he was responsible for the installation and operation of the company’s mechanical plant for two years. In 1901 he was appointed chief engineer for Great Boulder Gold Mines Pty Ltd, the foremost mine in Kalgoorlie Boulder. In 1901 its production of 152 thousand bullion ounces was the third highest of any mine in the state.

McCullogh held the position at Great Boulder until 1906 when he was appointed Government Inspector of Machinery for the North Coolgardie and Mount Margaret Goldfields. This was a significant appointment from the point of view of mine safety as previous mechanical inspections had been required for boilers only.

On June 30, 1904, McCulloch married Bertha Elizabeth Brockman at Guildford. They had three daughters, Margaret Susan (born 1905), Bertha Enid (Betty) (born 1909) and Nancy Edith (born 1912). The marriage ended in divorce in 1922 and it appears that McCulloch later returned to London. He died at St Pancras, London, in 1935. He was survived by his three daughters and estranged wife.

McCullogh was a foundation member of the Western Australian Institution of Engineers in 1910, but did not renew his membership in later years, probably because of his departmental duties in the goldfields.

His published works include:

• with C. Futers, 'Winding engines and appliances', Arnold, London, 1897;
• 'Condensation of steam and the relative economy of various types of condensers' JCMWA 1, 1902, pp.403 14;
• 'The economy of condensation, a reply’ JCMWA 2, 1903, pp.198 202;
• 'An improved method of signalling in mines' JCMWA 2, 1903, pp.355 61.

References:
Battye 2, p.361;
ProcWAIE 1 1 1910, p.i, 2 1 1911, p.i;
Spillman p.143;
RH.Kalg tb 4.1.