Thomas Leith
Encyclopedia
Thomas Orr Leith OBE
, FRAE (23 March 1926 - 7 November 2005) was a leading Scottish mechanical engineer and industrialist.
, Glasgow
, Scotland
, youngest son in a family with seven brothers and sisters.
He attended Holmlea Primary School in Cathcart (now closed) before being evacuated to Troon
in 1939 at the start of the World War II
. In 1942 he returned to Glasgow to join Weir Pumps Ltd in Cathcart, Glasgow (then called G. and J. Weir Ltd) as an Apprentice Marine Engineer. While an apprentice he also studied for the Higher National Certificate
exams at Langside College
in Mount Florida
and, following this, left Weirs to study full-time at the Royal Technical College, Glasgow (now the University of Strathclyde
). He graduated with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering
in 1950, and was winner of the Montgomerie Neilson Gold Medal and Prize (awarded to the first ranked graduating student in Mechanical Engineering).
He rejoined Weir Pumps and in 1954 he became Head of Steam Turbine and Gearing Design, in 1962 was made Chief Designer and in 1966 Director and General Manager of the Pump and Turbine Division (later renamed the Energy Division). In 1980 he became Director, Contracts Division at Weir Pumps before moving in 1988 to take up the Managing Director role at Weir Westgarth Ltd until his retirement in 1991. He was Chairman of Clairmont Plc from 1992-1994.
He was a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, President of the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland
from 1987-89, Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
and Fellow of the Institution of Marine Engineers.
Thomas Leith was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE
in the 1988 New Year's Honours for Services to Export.
Thomas Leith was active in the local community. He was Chairman of the Community Council in Newton Mearns
and, following a move to Strathaven
in Lanarkshire
on his retirement in 1991, was actively involved in the Avondale Civic Society of which he was Chairman from 1998-2004. A plaque near Strathaven Castle
was raised by Avondale Civic Society to commemorate his contribution.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, FRAE (23 March 1926 - 7 November 2005) was a leading Scottish mechanical engineer and industrialist.
Biography
Thomas Leith was born on 23 March 1926 in CathcartCathcart
Cathcart is an area of Glasgow between Mount Florida, King's Park, Muirend and Newlands. The White Cart Water flows through Cathcart, downstream from Linn Park....
, Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, youngest son in a family with seven brothers and sisters.
He attended Holmlea Primary School in Cathcart (now closed) before being evacuated to Troon
Troon
Troon is a town in South Ayrshire. It is situated on the west coast of Scotland, about eight miles north of Ayr and three miles northwest of Glasgow Prestwick International Airport. Lying across the Firth of Clyde, the Isle of Arran can be seen. Troon is also a port with freight and ferry services...
in 1939 at the start of the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In 1942 he returned to Glasgow to join Weir Pumps Ltd in Cathcart, Glasgow (then called G. and J. Weir Ltd) as an Apprentice Marine Engineer. While an apprentice he also studied for the Higher National Certificate
Higher National Certificate
A Higher National Certificate is a higher education qualification in the United Kingdom.In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the HNC is a BTEC qualification awarded by Edexcel, and in Scotland, an HNC is a Higher National awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority...
exams at Langside College
Langside College
Langside College is a further and higher education college located in the Mount Florida / Battlefield region of Glasgow.It was established in 1947 and enrols over 10,000 students every year of whom over 1,500 are from countries outwith the European Union, the college currently operates in four main...
in Mount Florida
Mount Florida
Mount Florida is an area in the southeastern corner of the Scottish city of Glasgow.- Details :The origins of the name are uncertain. It has been stated that it derives from Mount Florida House, owned by a family from Florida, USA...
and, following this, left Weirs to study full-time at the Royal Technical College, Glasgow (now the University of Strathclyde
University of Strathclyde
The University of Strathclyde , Glasgow, Scotland, is Glasgow's second university by age, founded in 1796, and receiving its Royal Charter in 1964 as the UK's first technological university...
). He graduated with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
in 1950, and was winner of the Montgomerie Neilson Gold Medal and Prize (awarded to the first ranked graduating student in Mechanical Engineering).
He rejoined Weir Pumps and in 1954 he became Head of Steam Turbine and Gearing Design, in 1962 was made Chief Designer and in 1966 Director and General Manager of the Pump and Turbine Division (later renamed the Energy Division). In 1980 he became Director, Contracts Division at Weir Pumps before moving in 1988 to take up the Managing Director role at Weir Westgarth Ltd until his retirement in 1991. He was Chairman of Clairmont Plc from 1992-1994.
He was a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, President of the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland
Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland
The Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland is a professional body for engineers and shipbuilders in Scotland.-Founding:The inaugural meeting of the Institution of Engineers in Scotland was held on 1 May 1857...
from 1987-89, Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers is the British engineering society based in central London, representing mechanical engineering. It is licensed by the Engineering Council UK to assess candidates for inclusion on ECUK's Register of professional Engineers...
and Fellow of the Institution of Marine Engineers.
Thomas Leith was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in the 1988 New Year's Honours for Services to Export.
Thomas Leith was active in the local community. He was Chairman of the Community Council in Newton Mearns
Newton Mearns
Newton Mearns is a suburban town in East Renfrewshire, Scotland. It lies southwest of Glasgow City Centre on the main road to Ayrshire, above sea level. It has a population of approximately 22,637.The town is part of the Greater Glasgow conurbation...
and, following a move to Strathaven
Strathaven
Strathaven is a historic market town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The town was granted a Royal Charter in 1450, making the Town of Strathaven a burgh of barony. The town's principal industry was primarily weaving in the 19th and early 20th centuries, however this declined when faced by...
in Lanarkshire
Lanarkshire
Lanarkshire or the County of Lanark ) is a Lieutenancy area, registration county and former local government county in the central Lowlands of Scotland...
on his retirement in 1991, was actively involved in the Avondale Civic Society of which he was Chairman from 1998-2004. A plaque near Strathaven Castle
Strathaven Castle
Gavler's Castle is located in the centre of the small town of Strathaven, in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The ruin is publicly accessible, and can be found at grid reference...
was raised by Avondale Civic Society to commemorate his contribution.