CHARTERED MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND MEMBER OF BEAMISH MUSEUM TRAMWAY GROUP
Situated in the Unconsecrated/East Section of Jesmond Old Cemetery
Anthony James (Tony) Wickens was born in 1926 in Romsey, Hampshire and spent his childhood in the south of England, latterly at Downside School in Somerset. Tony’s first venture north was when the school was temporarily evacuated to Ravenstonedale in Cumbria at the beginning of WW2.
After completing his schooling Tony studied Mechanical Engineering at Southampton University and his long association with Hawthorn Leslie shipbuilders began. With the war over Tony relocated to Newcastle to become an adopted Geordie and he would happily remain so thereafter.
In the North East Tony could indulge his great interests in railways, trams, and trolleybuses. He spent much time exploring the region and as a keen photographer captured many transport sights and scenes, in doing so providing an extensive library for future generations.
Relying on public transport ensured Tony maintained a good exercise regime as demonstrated in running to catch departing trains, trams and buses. When Tony applied this practice to a mid-Tyne ferry, overconfidence got the better of him, nevertheless he was able to demonstrate his skills in treading water and swimming whilst fully clothed, although mouthfuls of the River Tyne in the 1950s probably weren’t too tasty or healthy!
In Spring 1956 Tony met Christine in Newcastle, they began courting soon after, the New Theatre Coffee Rooms (now the Tyneside Cinema) being a favoured meeting place. The relationship blossomed that August when Christine was on holiday with friends in Austria, as Tony romantically appeared and proposed on bended knee. Christine and Tony married in April 1957 in Liverpool and after honeymooning in Ireland they returned to Newcastle, setting up the marital home in Jesmond.
Tony and Christine.
In the early 1960s when the general manager of Newcastle Corporation Transport – Frank S Taylor – decided to scrap the city trolleybuses Tony launched a campaign to save them. Justin and Rupert were recruited as activists for the campaign – launching into a chorus of ‘Down with Frankie Taylor’ each time they boarded a bus – much to Christine’s embarrassment.
Tony had many interests and through a passionately belief in sustainability he was very active in Tyneside Environmental Concern (TEC) in the 1970s, long before environmental issues achieved the prominence they have today.
In his professional life Tony developed a wealth of practical experience with his hands on approach to engineering and combined this with extensive technical knowledge to great effect. Tony was a brilliant and talented engineer held in high esteem by peers and colleagues. He was immensely proud of his Chartered Engineer (CEng) status and remained a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) throughout his career and into retirement.
The 1970s were turbulent times for UK shipbuilding and marine engineering with dwindling order books and increasing competition. Despite valiant efforts this eventually led to the closure of the Hawthorn Leslie works in Newcastle and subsequently to merger with other residual elements of British Shipbuilders. Tony’s commitment and professionalism through this difficult period was formally recognised by the industry head, Robert Atkinson. As a consequence of the winding down of British Shipbuilders Tony retired from the marine engineering industry in 1988. The story was not over though as Tony retained more than a passing interest through membership of the Doxford Engine Friends Association.
Far from being the end of his involvement in engineering this gave Tony the opportunity to concentrate on another of his great passions, namely the Beamish Museum Tramway Group in which he had been active since the mid 1970s. Tony maintained this interest well into the 21st Century and has been instrumental in many of the group’s achievements. In 2015 Beamish Museum honoured Tony’s outstanding commitment for his leading role in the exemplary restoration of Sunderland tram no. 16, with the unveiling of a plaque in his memory.
Tony’s obituary from Beamish Transport Online can be found here.
Jesmond Old Cemetery in Newcastle is a fitting resting place for Tony, as a proud adopted son of this great city he would be honoured to justly lie with so many of its creative, innovative and constructive souls.
In early 2025, Christine passed away peacefully at the age of 93. In her Will, she very kindly left us a legacy donation, part of which has funded our lovely new flower bed, not far from Tony’s final resting place. We hope it is a fitting tribute to both of their lives.
Biography and images provided by Mr. Tim Wickens (Son) – June 2025