Arthur Williamson
WILLIAMSON, Arthur Frederick, (1865-1941)
Arthur was born on December 17, 1865, in Durham, England, the son of Darlington Wagon Company partner, John Williamson and his wife Martha Williamson nee Hutchinson. His older brother, John Richard Hutchinson Williamson, was educated at the Durham College of Science and became an electrical engineer. It is likely that Arthur also attended the Durham College of Science.
Between 1892 and 1893, Arthur worked in his brother’s business in Sydney as well as consulting in his own name. His brother, John Richard Hutchinson Williamson, AMICE, had been the Managing Director and Superintending Engineer of the Edison – Swan Electric Company of Manchester and had established Williamson Electrical and Engineering Company based at 15 Pitt Street, Sydney, in March 1890.
In June 1892, Arthur was elected as a Member of the Engineering Association of New South Wales. Following his brother John’s death in NSW on December 8, 1892 and the demise of the company in March 1893, Arthur returned to England.
Arthur travelled to Western Australia from London on the “RMS Britannia” arriving in May 1895. He immediately set about publicising his engineering agency and seeking electricity generation, town electricity supplies and network projects, from both local governments and the private sector. He advertised himself as a mechanical and electrical engineer and it is thought that he gained these qualifications through pupillage at the Darlington Wagon Company.
In 1895 he approached local governments including Geraldton, Perth and Fremantle to establish lighting plants. In January 1896 he obtained agreement to operate an electric lighting system in Fremantle with the Fremantle City Council. The intention was to then extend the network to Cottesloe, East Fremantle and North Fremantle. In November 1896, an extension of twelve months was granted to commence works.
In November 1896 he formally established the Williamson Electrical Company based at 159 Hay Street, Perth. In 1898 he presented a proposal to the City of Fremantle to construct and run an electric tram service in Fremantle. By 1899 he was in substantial premises at 84 William Street, Perth, and was given the contract to provide lighting for the Coolgardie Exhibition.
Arthur was a keen photographer and he was able to undertake magnesium flash photography in caves. He visited Mammoth Cave in February 1901 and the photographs he took of the cave’s interior were presented to the Duke of Cornwall and York in July 1901.
Arthur overextended himself and was made bankrupt in 1902. He was able to discharge himself from bankruptcy in June 1904. He undertook paid employment including being Manager of the Bunbury Electric Light Company from 1905 to 1910. He was very well regarded in his field and from 1905 to 1931 he was Chairman of the WA Board for Licensing Electrical Installers. He returned to Perth in May 1910.
He then joined the PWD in December 1912, and by 1918 he was Assistant Government Electrician. He was involved with many rural projects including the supervision of the installation of electric lighting at the No 1 Sawmill at Bridgetown in 1914.
On March 2, 1914 he married Kate Berkleman Taylor who died February 25, 1927.
On April 1, 1922 he was appointed State Electrical Engineer when Dr W J Hancock retired due to ill health. On July 6, 1928 he married Lillian Mary Campbell (Mollie) McLeod.
Arthur retired from the PWD in March 1931 and commenced consulting work. In August 1931, he was appointed to the Rottnest Island Board. In 1935 he was the Chairman of H C Little and Company who were agents for Siemens.
Arthur died on November 27, 1941, at West Perth, aged 76, being survived by his wife Mollie.
References:
Illustrated Sydney News, 16.8.1890, p. 20.
Daily Telegraph, 10.6.1892, p. 6.
The Messenger, 30.8.1895, p. 9.
Western Mail, 27.12.1895, p. 39.
Daily News, 17.5.1901, p. 3.
Eastern Recorder, 9.9.1932, p. 1.
Gillian Lilleyman (editor), Pioneer Daughter, The Diary of Frances Louisa (Fanny) Brockman (nee Bussell), Gillian Lilleyman, Claremont, 2018
