Professor Brian Wilshire OBE FREng
Professor Brian Wilshire (George to his friends and colleagues) was a larger than life
character who confounded his critics when his outrageous claims and schemes were
successfully fulfilled. He himself carried out World leading research encompassing the f ields
of metallurgy, materials science and materials engineering. He is particularly recognised,
however for his major contributions in the field of high temperature creep and fracture
which have been of major benefit to the power generation and aerospace industries. In that
work he developed novel models for the processes involved and numerical models to
quantify the associated deformation and failure mechanisms. This work continued until
recent years leading to the development and publication of the ‘Wils hire Equation’.
Particular achievements include the Theta projection concept for creep life prediction,
remnant life assessment and magnetic flake fingerprint technology. He was particularly
successful in developing strong collaborative programmes with industry and to the end of
his life he continued to keep a close watch on the first industrial doctorate
programme which he established in the UK.
Born in 1937, Brian was educated at Rhondda County Grammar School before entering,
what was then called, the University of Wales, Swansea where he attained a First Class
Honours degree in Metallurgy, a PhD and eventually, in recognition of his outstanding
contributions, a D.Sc. in 1983. His exceptional abilities were recognised at an early stage
through his appointment to the lecturing staff before he had completed his PhD studies. He
rapidly climbed the academic ladder before attaining a Personal Chair in 1982. Taking over
the Headship of the Materials Engineering Department at time when like other such
Departments across the country it was struggling to attract good students he set in motion a
series of steps which were to surprise us all in their effectiveness. In the 80s and 90s, leading
by example, and coupled with a brave and aggressive recruitment policy, Brian transformed
a department that was in decline into one of the most successful departments in the
university. As this strong base grew so the other initiatives could flourish.
His passion for cultivating excellence in both research and teaching led to the Materials
Engineering department achieving a coveted 5* rating in the national Research Assessment
Exercise in the 90s and the award of the Queen’s Anniversary Medal for Teaching in 1998.
Throughout this time Brian always remained true to a founding principle of Swansea
University - to work with and support industry. Brian strengthened existing industrial links
with large companies such as Rolls-Royce while at the same time developing new
relationships, most notably with the Steel industry. Brian was also instrumental in setting up
new research themes in Materials (e.g. corrosion and process modelling) thereby laying the
foundations for future successes. All of these activities continue to flourish.
His exceptional leadership abilities meant that he held this position until 1999 when he
voluntarily stepped down. During that period Materials Engineering grew substantially in
strength and capability with the award of an EPSRC Interdisciplinary Research Centre, an
EPSRC Engineering Doctorate Centre in Steel Technology of which Brian was Director and a
Rolls Royce University Technology Centre. He was also a Pro-Vice Chancellor at the
University between 1996 and 1999.
It was as a result of these successes that Brian received an OBE, was made a Fellow of the
Royal Academy of Engineering in 1993 and presented with the Institute of Materials
Platinum Medal in 1995. His research expertise was also recognised through his
appointment as an Acta Metallurgica lecturer in 1991. That expertise led to over 200 peer
reviewed publications and several books. The books included ‘Technological and Economic
Trends in the steel industries’, ‘Creep of Metals and Alloys’ and ‘Introduction to Creep’.
Away from his research and management activities, Brian was an excellent lecturer whi ch
was widely recognised by all the students he came into contact with. This was also
appreciated by Rolls Royce (aerospace) for whom he presented a series of technology
courses on Creep, Manufacturing Technology and Materials over a 25 year period. He als o
lectured extensively to students undertaking the Engineering Doctorate in Steels. Outside
his academic work, Brian was a keen sportsman having represented Wales and the
University of Wales in basketball in his younger days and then a keen football supporter
later in life.
After official retirement Prof Wilshire continued to be active in the Department giving time
to his ‘baby’ - the Engineering Doctorate students and some industrial contacts.
Unfortunately this winding down was brought to a sudden end by a tragic accident which
left him in a coma for many weeks. On arousing he was left physically handicapped.
Brian leaves behind his wife Marian and two sons Neville and Ralph plus several
grandchildren and great grandchildren. They are a very close knit family and have been very
supportive through all the successes and the sorrows they have experienced including the
death of Brian and Marian’s eldest son, Keith, at a tragically young age.
This colourful character, loyal friend and high profile Academy Fellow will long be
remembered and sadly missed by everyone who knew him.