James Gooch died in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, on 30th January, 1961, at the age of 60.
Mr. Gooch was educated in Sunderland and Durham, and, after two years at Metcalfe College, trained at Cambridge University and Armstrong College, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, from 1921 until 1924, when he obtained the B.Sc. (Eng.) degree. As an engineering student at university he worked for Messrs. William Doxford and Sons (Engineers), Ltd., and Sunderland Forge and Engineering Co., Ltd., and in 1925 continued his technical training with Metropolitan-Vickers Co., Ltd. Mr. Gooch was appointed test engineer at Metropolitan-Vickers in 1927 and held that position for thirteen years.
He went to West Africa in 1940 to take up the post of assistant chief engineer with Konongo Gold Mines, Ltd., Ashanti-Akim. Promoted resident chief engineer (mechanical) in 1956, Mr. Gooch served in that capacity until illness forced him to return to England in 1960.
He was elected an Affiliate of the Institution in 1950.
Vol. 71 Trans IMM 1961-62, p.284
