Memories of Eric Dickson - Dowty Fuel Systems

Memories of Eric Dickson – Dowty Fuel Systems

I recently came across the Dowty Heritage page while trying to research some of my late father’s memorabilia.

He left the RAF in 1956, joining Dowty Fuel Systems at Arle Court the same year and retiring in 1982.

His name was Eric DICKSON.

25 Years Presentation Award 1981

He started as a technical author, becoming Section Lead and eventually Head of Publications.

My father left the RAF in June 1956 but was interviewed and offered a job as “Technical Author” with Rotol Ltd in January 1956.

I’m not sure when the job was relocated to Arle Court but it would appear that he started with DFS, still as a Technical Author on June 11 1956.  What interested me is that the original offer of £12 per week in that January was by December 1956 increased to £14 “plus half yearly bonus”.

There is a separate folder of correspondence at the time of his retirement in June 1982.

There are other associated files – dad’s desk name label, his 20 year service pin and information about other colleagues – the death of draughtsman Derek Banks, the beautiful handwriting of draughtsman Len Cogswell and some of the artwork of draughtsman Reg Ruffell.

One of my enduring memories is of the annual Dowty Children’s Christmas Parties held at Arle Court – and I still have one or two of the ‘presents’ from Father Christmas!

Kind regards

Robin D B DICKSON