Arthur Anthony Bowery FIET, 4 October 1935 - 14 July 2020
Published: Fri 31 Jul 2020
A true East Ender, Arthur was born within the sound of the Bow Bells, in Mile End, Bow, London on the 4 October 1935. Briefly evacuated from the area during the Blitz to Thetford, Suffolk – he grew up in Bethnal Green with his parents and elder sister Alice, before the family moved to Chingford, Essex in May 1946. Early schoolboy diaries tell of his great love for sport, including football and boxing. A natural athlete, he excelled at running and swimming.
Upon completing his secondary education at Chingford County High School, his father suggested he apply to a local advertisement - for an apprenticeship with British Telecom. With his son’s future in mind, he realised it would provide good prospects and long term security.
In October 1952 Arthur began his two-year apprenticeship, starting with installations. He had a strong recollection of being given a notebook with the Royal Crown on the front: his first entry being “block terminals” where the telephone wires terminated. He also attended college during this time, passing all exams easily. In 1955 Arthur began two years National Service with the Royal Signal Corps stationed at Wahn, near Cologne, West Germany where he further expanded his skills, learning about code cyphers, line work, and teleprinters.
He returned to civilian life at BT in1957 as ‘Technical Officer in Training’ under the guidance of Jim Taylor. Arthur’s diligence was rewarded by being one of the youngest to be promoted to Technical Officer at the age of 25. Arthur and Jim were good friends and would spend their lunchtimes at ‘Ernie’s Caff’ in Bow Lane – always full of camaraderie and good humoured banter - the cafe formed the background for many hilarious stories repeated over the years!
Ambitious and keen to gain promotion, Arthur spent many weeks on various courses at BT Training School at Yarnfield, near Stone, Staffs, the town where he met his first wife Carole. They married in August 1965, relocating to Epsom, Surrey. Each working day began with a deliberate run to the station, always giving a joyful wave as he got into his energetic stride. He was very interested in horse-racing, studying form and breeding. During that first year of marriage, sometimes the young couple would walk to the nearby racecourse – where he would sprint the last half furlong of that famous turf, getting Carole to time him!
Less than a year later, a routine minor nasal operation caused the sudden onset of crippling asthma, seemingly a reaction to anaesthesia. The consequences changed everything, but despite the severity, Arthur still persevered with further studies for exams whenever possible, even when hospitalised. A brief and very welcome medical respite gave hope, and led to a move to East Sussex and the arrival of their daughter Dawn in September 1967.
As an Assistant Executive Engineer, Arthur was in charge of the PABX installation in the City with a staff of 40. Responsible, as Clerk of Works, for installing a large incoming trunk unit in London with a contract value of over £5,000,000 - an enormous amount in 1967! He worked on the TXE4 exchanges which were at the cutting edge of technology in the1960s. In January 1970 he became an Associate Member of The Institute of Electronic and Radio Engineers.
Despite continual health struggles, in 1972 Arthur’s hard work and determination was rewarded by becoming one of the youngest BT Executive Engineers, a very senior position at 37 years old. To be at the forefront of technology, managing the team responsible for designing and installing the first fully electronic exchange at Shell in London – was something he was immensely proud of.
Open and generous with his knowledge and recognising potential in his teenage nephew Wayne, Arthur patiently encouraged and mentored him. Guiding and helping him achieve a successful and lucrative career.
Regrettably, in November 1976, due to persistent ill health Arthur had to accept medical retirement after 24 years’ service. Despite this setback Arthur invented and developed a switch matrix tester which was way ahead of its time, setting up a company to develop and sell the idea.
From 1978-1983 Arthur was a part-time lecturer at Harlow Technical College teaching ONC electrical and electronic principles and took great pride in teaching his students.
Elected to be a Fellow of The Institute of Electronic and Radio Engineers in April 1990 he was a member for 52 years.
In his personal life, Arthur was a lifelong supporter of his football team, Tottenham Hotspur and a student of Iyengar Yoga, attending local weekly classes for several decades. He was a highly knowledgeable stamp collector, and fan of traditional jazz. With his second wife Pauline he discovered golf and made a lifelong friendship with his instructor David - who also shared his love of horse racing. Royal Ascot and the Epsom Derby were highlights of the year and we would all enjoy days out at the races.
Arthur loved classic black and white comedy. Favourites included Laurel and Hardy, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore and Sgt. Bilko which he would watch repeatedly - never tiring of the humour. Also, a big fan of ‘Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em’, his physical appearance resembled Frank Spencer. When things didn’t go quite to plan Arthur would instinctively become ‘him’. Another regular impersonation was of Stan Laurel when for no particular reason Arthur would suddenly scratch his head and look puzzled!
Always loving the sunshine Arthur enjoyed spending time in the Spanish Costa Blanca. In the late 90s, he would visit his daughter Dawn in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles where he easily fitted into the California outdoors lifestyle, enjoying meals out by the beach and road trips along the coastline.
He found Dawn’s movie visual effects career fascinating and was a regular visitor to the studios. Much loved by her Californian work family he was a popular guest at all the social events. One of the highlights was when he proudly attended Hollywood movie premieres with his daughter.
Born and raised in his beloved London, he became a significant thread in the fabric of history. To have been such an integral part of the telecommunications infrastructure of England’s Capital City gave him much satisfaction and pride.
Unassuming, modest and charming, with a keen sense of humour, he was much respected and loved. It is admirable that, despite ill health since 1966 - Arthur never complained.
Always missed, he lives on in our hearts
He leaves his daughter Dawn, first wife Carole, and Pauline, his second wife.