Ernest William Moir

The son of Alexander Mitchell Moir and of Scottish descent, he was born in London and was educated at University College School.

He studied engineering at University College London before joining the firm of William Arrol in Glasgow where he started in the drawing office.

Moir became contractor’s agent (for S. Pearson & Son) in January 1890, working there until British engineering efforts were suspended in 1891.

[5][6] While in New York from May 1890 Moir invented an airlock chamber for treating decompression sickness[5] when he noticed that about 25% of the workforce digging the Hudson River Tunnel were dying and was surprised to note that "nobody has seemed to care anything about it."

During World War I Moir served on the Council of the Minister of Munitions for which service he was decorated with the award of Officer in the Legion of Honour.

[citation needed] Described by David Lloyd George as "a man of exceptional ability and tact", initially Moir was responsible to Eric Geddes for machine gun production.

[13] The Moir Baronetcy, of Whitehanger in the parish of Fernhurst in the County of Sussex, was created in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom on 11 July 1916 for him.

[20] Ernest William Moir died in 1933 aged 71 and is buried in the family plot at Brookwood Cemetery under a monument which is Grade II listed.