Frederick James Tonks died early in April, 1939, at the age of 57.
His training was obtained at the Wolverhampton Technical School, where he was student demonstrator in the metallurgical laboratories, and at the Royal College of Science, South Kensington. In 1906 he was engaged as metallurgical chemist in the firm of Steinhart, Vogel and Cloud; in 1908 he was appointed assistant metallurgical chemist in the laboratory of South Crofty Mine, and in 1910 he became chemist to the Dolcoath Mine. Finally, in 1914, he joined the staff of the High Speed Steel Alloys, Ltd., first as chief chemist and afterwards as chief metallurgist, and he was still occupying that position at the time of his death.
Mr. Tonks was admitted to Studentship of the Institution in 1907; he was elected an Associate in 1913 and was transferred to Membership in 1916.
Vol. 49, Trans IMM 1939-40, p.740
