William Glanville

Sir William Henry Glanville CB CBE FRS (1 February 1900 – 30 June 1976) was a British civil engineer. During World War II he and the Road Research Laboratory were involved in important war work, developing temporary runways, beach analysis, and tank and aircraft design. He also worked on the explosives calculations and scale models used to develop the bouncing bombs used in the Dam Busters Raid. He was widely recognised for his contributions to engineering and, amongst a string of professional awards, was appointed as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), as a Companion of the Order of the Bath and knighted. Early life William Glanville was born on 1 February 1900 in Willesden, Middlesex, the second child, and only son, of Amelia and William Glanville. His father was originally from Cornwall and worked as a builder. Known to his friends as Bill, he was educated at Kilburn Grammar School from 1911 to 1918. His did not distinguish himself at the school except in his ability in shooting, at which he represented the school in competitions at the National Rifle Association's ranges in Bisley, Surrey and won several prizes. Whilst at school he taught himself shorthand, on his own initiative. Glanville served briefly in the British Army during the final stages of the First World War. After demobilisation he applied to study civil engineering at East London College (now Queen Mary, University of London) in 1919 making use of a grant provided for the education of former servicemen. He excelled at university and graduated top of his year, with first class honours in 1922. One of his classmates was Caleb Grafton Roberts, who became chairman of the Country Roads Board in Australia. Building Research Station