William Frank Grace died at Hove, Brighton, on January 13th, 1917, of cancer in the throat, at the age of 51 years.
He studied at the Royal School of Mines, and in 1884, was bracketed first for the ‘Bessemer’ medal, which was awarded for the highest position in metallurgy. After a year as assistant in the laboratories of the Rio Tinto Co., in London, Mr. Grace went to Mexico, and from 1886 to 1869, held the position of metallurgist to the Trojes United Mining and Smelting Co. He then spent two years in Swaziland, as manager of Acton’s Swaziland Concessions, Ltd., and a further two years in Mexico as metallurgist to a mining and railway company.
He afterwards proceeded-to Australia, and for nearly nine years followed his profession in that country. For two years he was manager of some mines in Queensland, and for five years he managed mines in the Kalgoorlie District of Western Australia. During the latter part of his stay in Australia he practised as a consulting engineer in Victoria and Western Australia.
After spending some years in England, Mr. Grace was appointed manager of the Waihi Grand Junction Gold Mines, Ltd., Auckland, New Zealand, a position which he held from 1909 until the end of 1916, when the serious condition of his health compelled him to resign and return home.
Mr. Grace was elected an Associate of the Institution in 1892, and was transferred to Membership in 1902.
Vol. 26 Trans IMM 1916-17, pp.265-66
