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Joe Airey

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Joseph Enoch Airey
OBE
Born(1894-08-25)25 August 1894
Died10 February 1976(1976-02-10) (aged 81)
Poole
NationalityEnglish
OccupationEngineer

Joseph Enoch Airey MBE (25 August 1894 – 10 February 1976) was a Senior Technical Officer for the Telecommunications Research Establishment.

Airey was born in Oldham, Lancashire on 25 August 1894. He joined Robert Watson-Watt in 1924, and was an original member of the radar team,[1] responsible for masts and support equipment. He was Senior Technical Officer at Telecommunications Research Establishment. Alongside Arnold Wilkins, Airey is credited with having discovered Bawdsey Manor, Ordfordnessas a site for the Air Ministry department that was significant in the history of radar.[2] In his book "Three Steps to Victory" Robert Watson-Watt proclaims Joe Airey's greatest constructional achievement as the installation of a mast atop the Great Pyramid at Cheops.[3] During World War I, Airey was a member of the Dunsterforce in the Persia and the Middle East. By the time of his retirement, he was Station Engineer at the Royal Radar Establishment. He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services by King George VI in his Birthday Honours on 14 June 1945.[4] Airey died in Poole Dorset on 10 February 1976.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Penley, Bill. "Purbeck Radar". Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  2. ^ Three Steps to Victory. Odhams Press. 1957. p. 140.
  3. ^ Three Steps to Victory. Odhams Press. 1957. p. 55.
  4. ^ The London Gazette. The Stationery Office. 8 June 1945. p. 3049. Retrieved 22 October 2018.