George William Arthur Trimmer
Sir George William Arthur Trimmer M.I.C.E., M.I.M.E., M.Inst.T. | |
|---|---|
Trimmer in 1939 | |
| Born | 12 February 1882 |
| Died | 16 October 1972 (aged 90) |
| Education | Harrogate College |
| Occupation | Civil engineer |
Sir George William Arthur Trimmer (12 February 1882 – 16 October 1972) was a British civil engineer who served as Chief Engineer and Chairman of the Penang and Singapore Harbour Boards, Straits Settlements from 1923 to 1939.
Ealry life and education
Trimmer was born on 12 February 1882, the eldest son of Rev. G. J. Trimmer, Ceylon, and Caroline Elizabeth née Bestall. He was educated at Harrogate College, Yorkshire and Kingswood School, Bath.[1]
Career
Trimmer received his training at Pulsometer Engineering Co., Reading, and started his engineering career on the staff of the Bakerloo underground railway in London. After serving in various parts of England, he went to India in 1904 where he was engineer in charge of irrigation construction at Diamond Harbour, Bengal, and later irrigation construction engineer at Mon Canals, Maymo district, Burma.[1][2]
In 1911, Trimmer joined Topham Jones and Railton Ltd in Singapore, and worked on the construction of the Empire Dock and the reconstruction of the wharves of the Singapore Harbour Board. In 1918, he was involved in the construction of the Prai wharves at Penang.[3] Later that year, he left the firm to take up the role of assistant to the general manager and local chairman of Singapore Harbour Board.[1][2]
In 1923, he was appointed Chairman, General Manager and Chief Engineer Singapore and Penang Harbour Boards, Straits Settlements, by the Governor of the Straits Settlements,[4] serving until 1939.[1][5] It was largely due to his skill and expertise in engineering, finance and business organisation that the ports of Singapore and Penang grew in importance during the inter-war years, and were able to cope with the rapid growth of shipping.[2] His ability to carry out large engineering projects was demonstrated as engineer-in-chief of the £900,000 wharf extension project.[6]
When he resigned in 1939, the traffic at the port of Singapore had increased to 3,300 ships and two million tons of cargo each year,[7] and by 1941, had the largest commercial dock in the British Empire east of Suez.[8] On his retirement, the governor of the Straits Settlements, Sir Shenton Thomas paid tribute to his work describing him as: "the man, who more than any other, has made the port of Singapore what it is today".[9]
After returning to England, Trimmer served as Director and Controller of Building Construction at the Ministry of Supply from 1940 to 1947, and was involved in laying out armaments factory sites throughout Britain. From 1947, he continued in service in various capacities at the Ministry before retiring in 1956.[1][10]
Personal life and death
Trimmer married Phyllis Primrose, widow of Colonel B. H. Beaumont-Checkland in 1939.[1]
Trimmer died on 16 October 1972, aged 90.[1]
Honours
Trimmer was created a Knight Bachelor in the 1937 Coronation Honours.[11]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g A. & C. Black (Publishers) Ltd. (1981). Who was who, 1971-1980 : a companion to Who's who. Internet Archive. London : A. & C. Black. p. 805. ISBN 978-0-7136-2176-1.
- ^ a b c "Well-known Malayans to retire shortly". Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. 7 June 1938. p. 5.
- ^ "Singapore Harbour Board". The Straits Times. 12 April 1919. p. 8.
- ^ "Mr. G. W. A. Trimmer". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. 31 December 1923. p. 6.
- ^ The Far Eastern Review, Engineering, Finance, Commerce. 1937. p. 349.
- ^ "Sir George Trimmer post At Ministry Of Supply". The Straits Budget1. 30 May 1940. p. 13.
- ^ "Sir George Trimmer". The Straits Budget. 4 August 1938. p. 2.
- ^ "Sir George Trimmer at work". Malaya Tribune. 15 May 1941. p. 12.
- ^ "Tribute to work of Sir George Trimmer". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. 29 July 1938. p. 9.
- ^ "Sir George Trimmer". The Straits Times. 7 March 1941. p. 10.
- ^ "Supplement 34396, 11 May 1937 | London Gazette | The Gazette". www.thegazette.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-05-04.