Stanley Johnson
JOHNSON, Stanley, DFH AMIMechE(London) MIEAust (1888-1967)
Stanley was born in St Petersburg, Russia, on August 9,1888. He was the son of the mechanical engineer Joseph Johnson and his second wife Matilda Johnson nee Farquharson. His half-brother Douglas was also a mechanical engineer.
In 1901, Stanley was at the Hillside School in Godalming, Surrey. He then attended the prestigious Tonbridge School, in Kent, from 1903 to 1906. His engineering education was through the Electrical Engineering College at Faraday House London, which he attended from 1906 to 1910. The four year course included an eight month placement at a mechanical engineering works and another placement as a graduate apprentice at an electrical engineering works. As part of the course he was apprenticed to steam engine manufacturer, John Musgrave and Sons, in Bolton. He graduated with the qualification of Diploma of Faraday House.
By 1911, Stanley was working as Assistant Works Manager, in Rugby, Warwickshire with Willans and Robinson Limited, who produced steam turbines, diesel engines and condensing plants.
Willans and Robinson were the successful tenderers to supply generating equipment for the new power station at East Perth. Stanley came to Western Australia, around 1914, to supervise the installation of the three Turbo-Alternators units and condensers.
On December 10, 1915, Stanley enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, in Sydney. He embarked for England on June 6, 1916, from Melbourne. He served in France, with the 3rd Pioneer Unit, being wounded and being recommended for a Military Cross. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant.
He was demobilised in England on March 6, 1919. He requested being demobilised in England to spend time updating his knowledge on mechanical and electrical innovations and to progress his ambition to be an Australian representative for English equipment companies. In 1919, he resumed employment with Willans and Robinson Limited, in Rugby.
In 1916, before embarking for England, he had married Ellen Mary (Nellie) Smith, in Perth.
Stanley and his wife left London on the “Ormonde” on November 15, 1919, arriving in Fremantle on December 19, 1919.
By 1923, Stanley had joined with fellow ex-servicemen, Cyril Cecil Flower and Mervyn Davies, to form the partnership Flower, Davies and Johnson. In November 1927, the partnership became Flower, Davies and Johnson Limited with Stanley as a Director. Stanley continued to be active as an engineer with the company with skills in electrical and mechanical engineering and was regarded as an expert in hydroelectric power.
After the death of his wife, Nellie, in 1937, Stanley married Emily Kathleen Heaney, In Perth, in 1939.
In September 1915, Stanley became an Associate Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (London). He became an Associate Member of the Institution of Engineers, Australia in 1923, becoming a full Member in 1927. He was WA Division Chairman in 1947.
By 1954, Stanley was living at 2 Mira Mar Road, Albany. He lived in Albany until the 1960’s.
Stanley was a Director of Flower, Davies and Johnson Limited from 1927 until January 1967.
Stanley died on January 6, 1967, aged 78, at Mount Henry, Perth. He was predeceased by his first wife Nellie in 1937. He was survived by his second wife Emily.
References:
West Australian, 14.12.1916, p. 8.
Sunday Times, 6.11.1927, p. 15.
Western Mail, 1.11.1934, p. 41.
West Australian, 29.3.1947, p. 11.
Flower Davies and Johnson Limited Directors Reports 1960 to 1972.
Lenore Layman, Powering Perth – A History of the East Perth Power Station, Black Swan Press, Perth, 2011.
Fitzhardinge, Chris, Flower, Davies and Johnson Limited, 2025.
Compiled by Chris Fitzhardinge, January 20, 2025
