It is a signal honour to be invited to give this particular lecture; for me personally, it is especially significant, since for a brief period, 12 months in 1937/38, I held at A&AEE, then based at Martlesham Heath, the equivalent of the post originally held by Tizard in 1916/17, when A&AEE was first formed. At an earlier period, 1926/29, I had been on the staff of A&AEE as a Technical Officer, one of the most enjoyable and fruitful periods of my career. Hence it gives me special pleasure to be here this evening, and a great sense of fulfilment.

Sir Henry Tizard was not only a great man, a great man of science, an inspired leader; he was also a great patriot. He spent himself in the service of the country he loved. His anxiety, always, was to see this country forge ahead, to realise her leadership in research and so stride ahead in industry.