Alfred Tomlinson
Tomlinson, Alfred MSc(Eng) MStructE AMICE MIEAust MCIE (1884-1925)
Alfred Tomlinson was born in Clitheroe in Lancashire on February 16, 1884, the only son of technical school teacher, Frederick Walter Tomlinson and his wife Selina Tomlinson (née Walker). Alfred grew up in Little Bolton and Pendleton and was educated at the Royal Technical College at Salford. He obtained a scholarship to study at Owens College and graduated with a Master of Science in Engineering with honours from the Victoria University, Manchester.
From 1904 to 1907, Alfred worked as an engineering cadet for the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company, and from 1907 to 1911 he worked as an assistant civil engineer for the company. From 1904 to 1911 he also worked as an evening lecturer in engineering at the Royal Technical Institute in Manchester. At the time of the 1911 Census he was still living in Pendleton.
On September 19, 1911 Alfred married Dorothy Walker at St Luke’s Church, Weaste, near Salford in Greater Manchester.
Tomlinson was recruited in England to work as an engineering assistant on the WA Government Railways. He arrived in Fremantle on the “Bremen” on November 6, 1911, and immediately started work in Perth. He resigned on May 16, 1913 having secured a position as a Lecturer in Mathematics at the Kalgoorlie School of Mines, where he also assisted in lecturing on engineering subjects. In the same year, on November 17, he was appointed Lecturer in Engineering at the University of Western Australia.
Alfred's family was expanding with the birth of Selina (1912), Frederick (1914), Richard (1915) and James (1918).
By 1916 Alfred was acting as Professor of Mining and Engineering and Dean of Engineering, with Professor Whitfeld seconded to war duties. He was also a founding member of the Town Planning Association of WA, in 1916.
Tomlinson was a prolific publisher of papers on topics such as retaining walls, kiln drying of jarrah, ventilation, engineering education, structural engineering, wind forces and submarines. In 1916 he was admitted as a Member to the Concrete Institute of England, showing his early interest in reinforced concrete. In 1920 he was involved with establishing the Good Roads Association of WA and was elected as its Vice President.
Alfred was appointed Assistant Professor in 1920 and Associate Professor of Civil Engineering in 1922 at the University of Western Australia.
Tomlinson was also heavily involved with the WA Institution of Engineers, being on its committee from 1917 to 1920 and becoming its Secretary in 1920. He was a Foundation member of the Institution of Engineers from 1919 and was the inaugural Honorary Secretary of the WA Division Committee of the Institution of Engineers, a position he held from 1920 until he was appointed Chairman in 1923. He was also a National Councillor in 1924 and 1925.
Alfred died on May 17, 1925, at Nedlands, having been unwell for twelve months, aged 41. He was survived by his wife Dorothy and their four children.
References:
Cumming Papers
West Australian, 31.5.1913, p11
The Sun (Kalgoorlie), 16.7.1916, p3
Daily News, 27.11.1920, p9
Daily News, 4.12.1920, p9
Daily News, 19.5.1925, p4
