Chapter 8: I Leave the Bureau

The problem was that the 277 was a shipboard gun-laying radar which would require considerable modification for use as a land-based wind-finding radar. Apart from the technical problems there was the requirement to devise operating procedures and train people to operate it.

I wrote Warren a minute explaining the difficulties as I saw them. He interpreted my minute as reflecting an over-pessimistic attitude and critical of his decision to acquire the radars. He said he wanted my minute removed from the file. I indicated that the minute only explained the nature of the problems as I saw them and refused to remove the minute from the file.

After an animated discussion with Warren I decided I had no future in the Bureau. This was emphasised by Warren's decision to promote Harry Ashton as head of the Training Section of the Bureau although I was senior to him. I leamt later that Bill Priestley, who CSIRO had brought from the UK to head the newly formed Section of Meteorological Physics, was eager to have me on his staff but Warren had opposed that appointment.

Bureau of Meteorology