Although he died in 1894, examples of William Affleck's Work can still be seen on the streets of Swindon today. William was born in Gateshead in 1816, the son of engineer Robert Affleck. He served his apprenticeship at Hawkes & Son, a large engineering works and iron foundry at Gateshead before joining the prestigious Lambeth based engineering firm of Maudsley & Field. He left Maudsley's to take up an appointment with the GWR in Paddington and in 1842 moved to 33 Exeter Street and a job at the Swindon Works. In 1853 William struck out on his own, establishing a foundry and engineering works in Prospect, Old Swindon on land previously owned by James Strange. The business flourished and the 1861 census records William 45, a machinist and coal merchant, employing 17 men and 3 boys. William and his wife lived alongside the works in Prospect Place with their growing family - Ann 16, Robert 15, William J. 6, Frederick 2 and four month old Frank. Willi...