Cyril Beardmore Background

Here's some more background on Cyril written by Tom Croton 

"There is a bit to add/correct in your profile of Cyril. He was not Chief Engineer for Avery Applied Research Unit but the Engineer that built equipment prototypes. This involved great skill and application expertise. 

In my work with a Special Steels manufacturer, I was lucky enough to be involved  with some of the projects being worked upon. It  was pure chance, by the way that we became professionally involved, despite me being his son-in-law! His talents with just a file in his hand had to be seen to be believed. His teacher, of many years before, as a watch and clock maker, commented upon his enormous talent and said that Cyril had been born a hundred years too late. He won a prize for excellence upon training completion.

Upon leaving the world of horology behind he applied for a position with Clark Chapmans. His first job here was to build a press tool for the manufacture of lorry chassis. He was presented this challenge when interviewed. He had taken along items that he had made, which were on the miniature side; e.g. hand-made watch movements. The interviewer disputed his ability to work in such radically different dimensions. Cyril won the challenge, declaring ' a thou' is a thou', overall size being of no importance.

As a hobbyist engineer he continued with many projects simultaneously, these including an electric clock to a unique operational design capable of pretty good pre-quartz accuracy;( I particularly liked the mechanism for automated calendar correction), musical instruments built from scratch (classical guitars and even a lute), and refurbishment of other instruments including a piano and saxophone, amongst others.

All of his life he built and repaired things besides his professional activities, his life-long interest and enthusiasm in all things 'Engineering' sustained him until the onset of blindness. Even at this point he rebuilt a Chronometric speedometer for me, including the making of parts. He could also play classical guitar and other instruments, but for me, his skill with a mandolin was exquisite. His musical interests waned upon the loss of Inga, his wife, who was a  trained pianist.

His only downfall was his perfectionism. As you noted, his frustration with items not too his standard could get in the way. He was , however generous of spirit and gave many a young apprentice engineer a great start in their professional life. Life is certainly richer for having known him.

We look forward to seeing the loco running!"