Fonds RC0098 - Harold Brownlee Stuart fonds

Harold Brownlee Stuart, draughtsman, field engineer and soldier, was born in Mitchell, Ontario on 31 January 1889. He was educated at the University of Toronto where he trained in Practical Science and received his B.Sc. Degree in 1909. Stuart was employed as a surveyor, fire ranger, and road diversions designer before becoming a draughtsman and eventually designer for Hamilton Bridge Works in 1912.

In 1913 he joined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders as a Private. He transferred from the 1st Field Troop to the 2nd Canadian Pioneers as a Lieutenant on active service in 1915 and served in France and Belgium, attaining the rank of Captain in 1916 and Major in 1918. Stuart returned to Hamilton in 1919 and rejoined Hamilton Bridge Works as an expert in the construction of bascule bridges. He assisted in designing the Burlington Beach Ship Canal and also designed numerous railway bridges, overpasses, public buildings and factories in Western Ontario.

Stuart served in England from 1941 to 1944 as consulting engineer and officer, commanding the 7th Canadian Construction Company Royal Canadian Engineers. His civilian experience in bridge design allowed him to design bridges and similar structures that could be quickly constructed and readily transported. He was awarded the Member of the British Empire in 1943. In 1944 Stuart returned to Canada where he was affiliated with the Directorate of Works and Construction in Ottawa. Stuart died in Ottawa on 14 October 1946 and was posthumously appointed an Officer of the British Empire.