George Simpson Pitcairn died at his residence in Glasgow on December 28th, 1931, at the age of 61.
He went through a course of engineering and science at Hamilton Academy, Scotland, at the same time being intimately connected with coalmining through his father, who was general manager of coal
mines in Lanarkshire. In 1889 he went to Freiberg, where he received training in mining and metallurgy, and on completion of his course entered the employment of the late C. Luhrig, a specialist in coal and ore-dressing, of Dresden. In the course of this engagement, which extended over eight years, he was directly concerned in the erection of metallurgical plants in various parts of the world, including England, Scotland, Germany, Italy, and the United States.
In 1897 he was appointed superintendent of the Tasmanian Gold Mining Co.’s reduction works at Beaconsfield, Tasmania, and three year’s later occupied a similar position in the reduction works of the Broken Hill Proprietary, Ltd., in New South Wales. In 1900 he joined the staff of the Tharsis Sulphur and Copper Co., which involved trips to the continent, the United States, and Mexico.
His next engagement was to take charge of the Mazaruni diamond mines in British Guiana, whence unfortunately after four years he was invalided home a physical wreck. On recovery, he went to Turkey and became interested in manganese, iron and gold properties on behalf of the Levant Syndicate, Ltd., and others.
He joined H.M. Forces at the outbreak of war and served on the General Staff for some time, obtaining the C.M.G., and afterwards served in the Royal Engineers, in which he attained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. After the war, he resumed his professional activities, and was for several years with the Cyprus Magnesite, Ltd., at Paphos.
Lieut-Colonel Pitcairn was elected an Associate of the Institution in 1911.
Vol. 42, Trans I.M.M., 1932-3, pp.613-14
