Papers of Sir Frank Ewart Smith

This material is held atInstitution of Mechanical Engineers Archive

Reference
- GB 381 FES
Dates of Creation
- 1922 - 1995
Name of Creator
- Smith Sir Frank Ewart 1897-1995 Manufacturing and process engineer
Language of Material
- English
Physical Description
- 1 box; 1 vol(s); 42 files; 38 items

Scope and Content

Collected papers including material on his career with Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) Limited and his wartime work.

Administrative / Biographical History

Smith was educated at Uckfield Grammar, and later won a scholarship to Christ's Hospital. He then gained a scholarship to Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge in 1915 to read Natural Sciences (he took up his place in 1919 after the First World War during which he served at both Messines and Ypres). He went on to gain a first in Mechanical Engineering and stayed on as a postgraduate to study phase changes in iron, for which he was awarded the John Wimbolt prize.

By 1931, Smith was Technical Director of ICI's chemical plant at Billingham, County Durham. In the lead up to the Second World War, ICI had planned for the production of fuel and explosives, with which Smith assisted. During wartime he served in the Government appointed role of Chief Engineer & Superintendent of Armament Design (CEAD) for the Ministry of Supply at Fort Halstead, where he had a leading role in the design of PIAT, for armour piercing (British equivalent to the American Bazooka). In 1943 he predicted the development and deployment of long range rockets by Germany; this directly led to the targeting of V-2 launch sites.

After the war he returned to his career at ICI, rising to Deputy Chairman (retired 1959). Upon his retirement Smith went to work with the NHS, as Chairman of the Advisory Council for Management and Efficiency. He was active throughout his life, giving lectures and writing articles to a/for a number of bodies.

Smith was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1957.