William Patterson Dunbar

(1887.02.11 – 1957.10.14)
B.Sc., BCLS, DLS, SLS
Commission #088
(1937.03.09)

William was born to Thomas Scott and Elizabeth Dunbar in February 11, 1887 in Broughty Ferry, Dundee, Scotland.

William was educated for two years at Harris Academy, Technical School in Dundee, Broughty Ferry; two years at Grove Academy, Broughty Ferry and graduated with B.Sc. Eng. with distinction from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. After graduating he was an apprentice in the machine shops & drawing office at Urquhart, Lindsay & Co. Ltd. in Dundee.

William arrived in Canada in 1911. He worked in the surveying and engineering field until he obtained his commission as a BCLS in 1914. When WW1 started, William headed to England to join the Black Watch of the British Imperial Army. At the end of his service (1919) he attained the rank of Captain.

William then returns to Canada and not far behind is his future wife, Marie Jean Gordon. They married on the 28th of January, 1920.

In 1920, William became the superintendent of Forest Products Laboratory, University of B.C. While in this position, he was listed in the Engineers’ Who’s Who in Engineering.

From 1925 until he retired in the early 1950’s, William worked with the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company. During this period, he is listed as civil engineer/draftsman/surveyor. He obtained his DLS commission in 1933 and his SLS commission in 1937. It appears that he obtained those commissions solely for the purposes of projects that his company was involved with.

William passed away on October 14, 1957. William and Marie had one son, Donald Gordon.

Prepared by M. L. J. Waschuk, SLS, P. Surv., 2018