Amos Ayre

[1][2] Born at South Shields, Ayre grew up surrounded by shipbuilding and seafaring activity.

He served an apprenticeship as a draughtsman with Wood, Skinner and Co in Newcastle-on-Tyne and graduated from Armstrong College, Newcastle in 1904.

He was in charge of fleet coaling operations on the River Forth during the First World War, and promoted to the post of Admiralty District Director for shipyard labour in Scotland.

He and his brother, Sir Wilfrid Ayre, founded the Burntisland Shipbuilding Company at Fife.

In 1936, in recognition of his eminence in public service, Ayre was offered the position of Chairman of the Shipbuilding Conference, effectively placing him in charge of the entire industry.