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BW192/3/1/28

T W Millner photograph collection

Description

Series of black and white photographs taken by T W Millner showing various scenes on the Grand Junction Canal.

Date

1895-early 20th century

Reference code

BW192/3/1/28

Creator

Millner, T W (Mr)

Administrative / Biographical history

Thomas William Millner was born in 1859 in West Bromwich, Staffordshire. At the beginning of his career he worked for the Grand Junction Canal Company in the offices at their Bulbourne Workshops near Tring. He was promoted to manager of the Northern District in 1895 when he was 36. Millner spent the majority of his time travelling the district meeting various foremen, inspectors and contractors, and surveying the canal to see the progression of maintenance and to plan ahead. He did a lot of engineering drawing work and had a keen interest in photography which became a vital part of his working life. As it grew, he had a brick-built lean-to darkroom constructed next to his office, and the Company began to rely on his expertise. He supplied photos of works in hand and even provided back-up evidence in court cases involving the Company. Millner was acknowledged as the expert in Grand Junction Canal Company matters. He retired in 1929 with the take over of the Grand Junction Canal by the Grand Union Canal Company, and died in 1943. In this collection are some of the photographs that Millner took during his time working for the Grand Junction Canal Company, they date largely from the early 20th century.