By 1909, this was the second biggest explosives factory in the world. Quinan proposed that the company also manufacture
glycerine, an essential ingredient in the explosives process. This plant was completed as the First World War started, assuring the mining industry and the South African economy, which largely depended on the output of the mines, would continue to be viable during the war.[1]
Outbreak of First World War
With the outbreak of the war, Britain required to build up its own supply of explosives for munitions.
Lord Moulton, chairman of the committee on high explosives, determined that two new factories should be built. As all the British experts were already employed, he requested that an expert from South Africa be found. Quinan was selected and immediately left for Britain. He was later followed by several other senior staff from the South African factory.[1]
During the war, Quinan was responsible for the design, construction and proper operation of a number of large munitions and explosives ingredient factories in Britain. He also wrote many technical reports and even oversaw the activities of the South Africa works.[1]
In 1917, he was one of the first recipients of the
House of Commons
and commented:
It would be hard to point to anyone who did more to win the war than Kenneth Bingham Quinan.[1][2]
Return to South Africa
After the end of the war, Quinan returned to South Africa where he continued his work for De Beers at the Somerset West complex. He also became the first vice-president of the
grapes. Despite his retirement he kept in contact with many of his former employees and colleagues. In 1939, with the outbreak of World War II, his expertise was again sought by the British and South African governments as an advisor on chemical defence matters and to oversee ordnance factories built in South Africa.[1]
Death
He died at his desk at his farm on January 26, 1948.
References
^ abcdefghiThe Chemical Engineer", No. 431, December 1986, "Famous Men Remembered", Dick Dent
