Home Bright Sparcs
Biographical entry

Home | Browse | Search | Previous | Next
Be a Bright Sparcs Supporter

Butement, William Alan Stewart (1904 - 1990)

FTSE
Online SourcesArchival/Heritage SourcesPublished Sources
Physicist
Born: 18 August 1904  Masterton, New Zealand.  Died: 25 January 1990  Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
William Alan S. Butement was Chief Scientist with the Commonwealth Department of Supply and in executive charge of Australian Defence Scientific Research and Development 1949-67 which included the Rocket Range at Woomera.

Earlier in his career his work on radar earned him the title "Mr Searchligh Radar". However, he regarded the proximity fuse as his greatest achivevement.


Career Highlights
Born Masterton, New Zealand, 18 August 1904. Died Melbourne, 25 January 1990. CBE 1959. Educated University College London (BSc). Scientific Officer, Signals Experimental Establishment War Office outstation Woolwich, United Kindom 1928-38; senior scientific officer, Radar Research and Development Establishment, United Kingdom Ministry of Supply 1938-39; principal scientific officer and assistant director of scientific research, United Kingdom Ministry of Supply HQ London 1940-46; deputy chief scientific officer of party to Australia under Sir John Evetts to set up Rocket Range; first chief superintendent, Long Range Weapons Establishment Australia 1947-49; chief scientist, Department of Supply 1949-67, responsible for the newly created Australian Defence Scientific Service (ADSS); Research director, Plessey Pacific Pty Ltd 1967-72. Co-founder and Foundation Fellow, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences 1975. Commemorated by the High Frequency Radar Division Butement Laboratory at Salisbury in South Australia.
 
Online SourcesPublished Sources
See Also

Google
Structure based on ISAAR(CPF) - click here for an explanation of the fields.Prepared by: McCarthy, G.J.
Created: 20 October 1993
Modified: 16 September 2004

Published by The University of Melbourne eScholarship Research Centre on ASAPWeb, 1994 - 2007
Originally published 1994-1999 by Australian Science Archives Project, 1999-2006 by the Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre
Disclaimer, Copyright and Privacy Policy
Submit any comments, questions, corrections and additions
Prepared by: Acknowledgements
Updated: 26 February 2007
http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/bsparcs/biogs/P002084b.htm

[ Foundation Supporter - Committee to Review Australian Studies in Tertiary Education ]
[ Top of page | Bright Sparcs Home | Browse | Search ]