Oral history of British science
Higton, Dennis (Part 1 of 24). An Oral History of British Science.
- Add a note
Log in to add a note at the bottom of this page.
- All notes
- My notes
- Hide notes
- Add to playlist
Log in to add this item to one of your personal lists.
- Add to favourites
Log in to add and display this item in your personal list of favourites on the right hand side of this page.
The British Library Board acknowledges the intellectual property rights of those named as contributors to this recording and the rights of those not identified.
Legal and ethical usage »
Type
sound
Duration
00:49:53
Shelf mark
C1379/41
Subjects
Aeronautical Engineering
Recording date
2011-02-10
Recording locations
Interviewee’s home, Shrewton, Salisbury
Interviewees
Higton, Dennis, 1921-2012 (speaker, male)
Interviewers
Lean, Thomas (speaker, male)
Abstract
Part 1: Dennis Higton [DH], born 15 July 1921 Aldershot. Remarks on: father Jack W Higton: coach body builder, served in World War 1, eventually became production designer; mother, from Arundel, Sussex, one of seven sisters, died of pneumonia aged around 30 leaving DH, brother and sister; 1930s depression; father's remarriage and move of home, meaning DH missed the chance on a scholarship and had to attend a basic state school; DH attending technical school on Guildford until 14, when he began work at the Mid Wessex Water Company in Frimley Green as a drawing office junior. [04:55] Remarks on: DH at 15, rough diamond, no tact; Mr Sawyer at the waterworks taking DH under his wing; stepmother giving him an advert for a Royal Aircraft Establishment [RAE] Farnborough engineering apprenticeship, which he won; dedicating himself to his work because he knew he wouldn't have another chance; attending night school; skills gained in apprenticeship, both practical and academic; finishing apprenticeship at 21 in 1942 and joining RAE aerodynamics department as a Junior Scientific Assistant. [10:10] Story about being named Dennis in preference to Swithin. [pause phone] [11:10] Description of father: farming background in Wetton Derbyshire; hard background; limited schooling, but DH suspects he was bright; hard father, with demanding job; smoked heavily, died of lung cancer in 70s; DH worshipped him because of practical skills and morals; played organ in Farnham Church; hard personality; argued with DH's mother; anecdote about DH being told how unpopular his father was, when he began at the RAE; DH's brother Ken having more difficult relationship with father than DH or sister Brenda; [17:33] DH admiring his father's integrity; details of father's job building car coach bodies for pre-build chassis; observant, such as birdwatching, which he passed on to children; [20:20] a period DH and siblings were cared for by guardians before father remarried; attending mother's funeral in Arundel; father's remarriage; father's dedication to work; good relationship between father and stepmother. Remarks on: being children expected to do gardening; becoming one-track in his outlook; moving house after remarriage, meaning he went to technical school in Guildford rather than Grammer school; step-siblings and mother's attitude toward them. [25:15] Remarks on: stepmother, clerk, with accurate mindset; DH expected to do chores; Father working for E D Abbott; step-brother Derrick recently brining family photos round; father's interest in cars, smoking and money; DH staying with neighbours when parents went on holiday. [28:50] Story about DH and brother Ken staying with neighbour Mrs Coal during an air raid, which damaged their empty home and killed a horse. [30:00] Remarks on: wartime food shortages leaving him hungry; stepmother Olive Gwendolin's influence on DH's education and insistence of chores. [32:25] Comments on mother: one of family of girls; higher class to father; regular churchgoer, who enjoyed music; mother pushing him for education at East End Boys School Aldershot; encouraging DH to play piano, until they couldn't afford it; DH and Ken sent to relations in Peterborough after her death, whilst sister sent to Ross-on-Wye. [35:15] Remarks on: staying with higher class auntie at Peterborough, better conditions, helpful cousins, watching trains; personalities of siblings Ken and Brenda; being restricted to kitchen at home; DH loving drawing; gardening at school in Farnham, where the headmaster also helped his maths. [39:45] Comments on schooldays: East End Boys School Aldershot, and better conditions at East Street School Farnham; favourite subjects including maths; corporal punishment; anecdote about teacher Mr Barrett singeing his suit on a fireplace; music, especially at East End School; playing football with jackets for goal posts at Farnham Park. [45:29] Remarks on: freinds, sometimes guardian’s families, friend Dick Harden; food, mainly sandwiches; walking to school with friends; sisters friends; conditions in Farnham.
Description
Interview with aeronautical engineer Dennis Higton.
Related transcripts
Dennis Higton interviewed by Dr Thomas Lean: full transcript of the interview
Metadata record:
Higton, Dennis (Part 1 of 24). An Oral History of British Science.
Please log in to update your playlists.
Can you tell us more about the context of the recording? Or can you share information on its content - timings of key sections or important details? Please add your notes. Uninformative entries may not be retained.
Please log in to leave notes.