Defence Archives - Archives of IT

Peter Campbell Burns

Peter worked as a computer programmer for University College London, in the Department of Physics and Astronomy’s high-profile experiments in collaboration with the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN). His knowledge of DEC machines and VAX/VMS (Virtual Memory Systems) meant he went on to become a Defence contractor.

7 April 2025

Ken Senior

Ken began his IT career as an electronics technician for the Navy, and after he left, joined Honeywell where he worked on the first computers taking commands from a keyboard. His next job was at DEC as a Field Engineer, becoming the first European Field Service manager in 1965. he worked up the ranks at DEC to Secretary to the Executive Board at DEC, working closely with founder Ken Olsen.

4 April 2025

Gerald Marsh

Gerald’s introduction to IT was via the Control Data Institute (CDI) and an intensive course in computer operating called TOPS, covering IBM and ICL mainframes. He went straight to working with Ferranti computer systems in Cwmbran as a computer operator on military grade systems, then to work at Plessey Defence Systems as a software engineer.During his work as a contractor, Gerald worked with DEC systems and was a part of the Digital Equipment Company User Group (DECUS).

21 March 2025

Dave Lawrence

After leaving the Navy, Dave’s first IT job was at Mullards in Surrey, who made magnetic cores for computer memory. Dave moved to Fylingdales where he was trained on the IBM 790 and worked on the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System on the Whitby Moors. Dave moved to DEC as a magnetic memory tester engineer, then moved into management, managing Digital’s plant in Ayr and others in Europe.

18 March 2025

Julia Sutcliffe

Professor Julia Sutcliffe, was appointed Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department for Business and Trade in February 2023. Previously, she spent 26 years at BAE Systems where she focused on innovation, aerospace, defence and security. Here she talks about what has inspired and driven her career. This includes the great feats of engineering she saw as a child, the huge potential of the explosion in computer power, and the ability to collaborate with leading experts across many technologies.

14 July 2023

Judith Scott

After taking a postgraduate diploma in computer science at Cambridge University, Judith started her IT career in Canada as a systems engineer. She later joined Gandalf Systems, eventually managing the UK subsidiary until 1995 when she became Chief Executive of the British Computer Society.

26 March 2019

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