The John W. Davies Memorial Award was created in 1985 in memory of the recently deceased SNAME Arctic Section Chair at that time, Mr. John Wilfred Davies, in appreciation of his contributions to the section and ICETECH Conferences. It was due to the success of the ICETECH conferences that surplus finances were accumulated, making possible the creation of this scholarship fund.
Mr. Davies was born April 2, 1934 in the United Kingdom and obtained a B.A. degree and an M.A. degree in mechanical sciences from Cambridge University, England.
He was active in the United Kingdom in the development and testing of naval gas turbines, working for Associated Electrical Industries and Yarrow Admiralty Research Department, Ltd. where he was involved in nuclear submarine and undersea engineering projects. After emigrating to Canada in 1970 he was involved in various engineering projects with Montreal Engineering Co., Ltd.
Mr. Davies joined the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers in 1981 and was instrumental in the creation of the Society’s Arctic Section. He is remembered by other members as a very friendly person, a ready volunteer at every SNAME event, and a very enthusiastic Chair with a lot of drive.
John Wilfred Davies died accidentally on October 14, 1985 pursuing his other hobby and passion – air gliding.