Andrew K. McCosh

Andrew Kirkwood McCosh, J.P., D.L. (31 August 1880 - 27 September 1967) was an administrator in the coal and steel industries, born in Ayrshire, Scotland.

Education

McCosh was educated at Fettes and Trinity College, Cambridge. He was awarded a B.A., Mechanical Science Tripos, in 1902.^[1]

Career

He was the Chairman of the Scottish Iron Masters' Association from 1917 to 1939; of the Lanarkshire Coal Masters' Association from 1934 to 1937; and of the Scottish Colliery Owners from 1939. He was the President of the British Iron and Steel Federation in 1936–37. He was Deputy Controller, Raw Materials, Iron and Steel Control, at the Ministry of Supply from 1939–42. He was the President of the Mining Association of Great Britain from 1944–45 and a Governor of the Scottish Mining Disasters Relief Fund.^[2] He was the President of the British Employers' Confederation from 1945–46.^[3] He was Chairman of William Baird & Co. Ltd.,^[4] and Bairds & Scottish Steel Ltd.^[5] He was the Director of Bairds & Dalmellington Ltd., and Provident Mutual Life Association. He was Deputy Lieutenant for Lanarkshire.^[6]

Authorship of Government Documentation

He was one of the authors of the report by the Committee on Co-operative Selling in the Coal Mining Industry, which was a secret memorandum by the President of the Board of Trade^[7]

Steam Locomotive

The steam locomotive 4-6-2 A4 class BR 60003, originally named 'Osprey' was re-named 'Andrew K. McCosh' after him in October 1942. He was Chairman of the LNER Locomotive Committee, coming to the LNER Board from that of the NBR.^[8] The locomotive was built in 1938, based at King's Cross, and withdrawn in 1962.^[9]

Portrait

A portrait of McCosh, by George Henry was painted in 1912. It is in the collection of North Lanarkshire Council Museums and Heritage Service.^[10]

References

2. HANSARD 23 June 1936 HC Deb 23 June 1936 vol 313 cc1578-80
3. The Engineer 13 December 1946 p.545 Column 3 Final paragraph
4. J.B. McLachlan: A Biography: The Story of a Legendary Labour Leader and the Cape Breton Coal Miners p.28
5. The Engineer 27 July 1945 Column 3 Paragraph 2
6. 1950 Colliery Year Book and Coal Trades Directory. Published by The Louis Cassier Co. Ltd., from a copy held in the National Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian.
7. The National Archives: Report by the Committee on Co-operative Selling in the Coal Mining Industry, p.40
9. Classic British Steam Locos.
10. http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/paintings/mr-andrew-kirkwood-mccosh-managing-director-bairds-of-gar189689