Class of 1952 BSc Agriculture graduate Andrew Erskine Dawson’s life is a remarkable story of dedication, resilience, and the pursuit of knowledge in the field of agriculture. Born in Drumchapel, Dumbartonshire on 6 December 1928, Andrew was the youngest of five children, although only just, with identical twin Frederick Charles born one hour earlier. Frederick’s untimely death at the age of just three from diphtheria left a lasting impression on Andrew, but surrounded by family love, his formative experiences laid the foundation for a life of devoted public service.
Andrew’s father, Captain James Tweedie Dawson, fought in World War I, but after being invalided out and sent to convalesce in Bournemouth, he met and fell in love with Elsie Cooper, a Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse. James and Elsie married in London in 1920 and the family later settled in Glasgow where James was a distinguished mechanical engineer with Babcock & Wilcox before being recruited by the British Army during World War II to undertake secret missions to buy military equipment.
Starting his education at prep school, Andrew went on to attend Glasgow Academy Junior School. With the outbreak of WWII in 1939, he and his brothers, Ebenezer and Hamish, were swiftly enrolled at Strathallan School in Perthshire, a decision driven by his parents’ foresight about the dangers facing Glasgow. Sister Joy had already left school and was attending college in Glasgow, but she soon joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) in London, the women's branch of the British Army during WWII, before serving in North Africa and Italy.
Strathallan, nestled in the countryside, provided a safe haven and a rigorous education for the boys. Andrew’s time there was marked by leadership and academic excellence, culminating in his appointment as School Vice-Captain, House Captain and Head Librarian, where his lifelong love of books was nurtured. He also excelled in sports and in particular rugby, cricket and swimming.
Andrew’s wartime experiences while at Strathallan included helping harvest potatoes on local Perthshire farms and enduring air raid threats, including six hours sheltering in the school basement during a bombing attempt on a nearby railway tunnel. These formative experiences instilled in him a deep sense of duty, adaptability, and appreciation for agricultural labour which resulted in his decision to study Agriculture at the University of Aberdeen.
Before entering university, Andrew undertook practical training on farms in Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire. At Shethin Farm, then part of Lord Aberdeen’s estate, he kept a meticulous daily diary - a requirement for prospective agricultural students. His work at Holehouse Farm in Ayrshire involved dairy operations and experimental trials. These experiences not only honed his practical skills but also deepened his understanding of agricultural science.
A brief stint in the Royal Engineers for his National Service in 1948/49 was curtailed by a severe ankle injury sustained during a 25-mile route march. A misdiagnosed foot deformity led to his discharge and a small pension which enabled him to enrol at the University in 1949 with a renewed commitment to agricultural advancement.
Andrew’s time at Aberdeen was intellectually enriching and socially active. He was a committee member of The Agricultural Society which met regularly at Marischal College, and he became Vice-President of the newly formed Aberdeen University Unionist Society. In 1952, he felt “privileged” to attend the memorial service for King George VI in King’s College Chapel.
Andrew graduated in 1952 and spent two months at the Rowett Research Institute as a temporary postgraduate employee recording milk yield from sows which he described as “great fun”.
After graduation, Andrew kept regular contact with his friends from The Agricultural Society, meeting both socially and at the annual Farmer’s Society Meeting in London. To this day, he keeps in touch with Dr Jock Findlay who was a medical student at Aberdeen. The two met while staying at the same private lodgings and Andrew was best man at Jock’s wedding.
Aberdeen itself left a lasting impression on him. He described the city as “superb” and full of cultural and academic richness.
To gain further practical experience, his summers were spent working as a potato inspector for the Department of Agriculture, which helped ensure the integrity of Scotland’s seed potato exports, a vital trade with England and with countries such as Egypt and South Africa.
In 1953, a return to Holehouse Farm in Ayrshire was followed by Andrew’s recruitment to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food (MAFF) to join the National Agricultural Advisory Service (NAAS) as a Trainee District Agricultural Advisor and a distinguished career followed. Over the next three decades, he rose through the ranks of NAAS, later known as the Agricultural Development Advisory Service (ADAS). His postings included Shepton Mallet, Yeovil, Bakewell, Cardiff, Nottingham, and Gloucester. In each role, Andrew demonstrated strategic vision, collaborative leadership, and a commitment to improving agricultural productivity.
His work was transformative. Andrew played a key role in promoting self-sufficiency in staple crops such as barley, oats, potatoes, and milk. He championed horticultural innovations, including the development of tunnel greenhouses, and supported marketing groups that enabled farmers to sell directly to buyers, bypassing commercial markets. His leadership extended to organising exhibitions, advising on land use, and fostering regional agricultural development.
In 1962, Andrew was seconded to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris, where he collaborated with international consultants on agricultural development projects. His diplomatic acumen was evident during a speech in Jerusalem, where he represented the OECD at a high-profile conference attended by Israeli dignitaries and UK MPs. His guided tour of Israel included visits to agricultural innovation projects, and desert irrigation systems - experiences that broadened his global perspective.
Andrew was asked to stay in Paris, but he was very keen to get back to the UK and the girl he would later marry. Andrew and Anne had met at Scottish Country Dancing classes in Shepton Mallet and married at St Andrew’s Church in Banwell in 1969 with son William arriving three years later.
A study tour in France in 1968 focused on crop drying cooperatives, particularly the production of lucerne (alfalfa). His detailed report highlighted democratic governance, financial structures, and technological innovations, and his ability to engage with farmers, engineers, and policymakers underscored his collaborative spirit and analytical rigour.
Following the UK’s entry into the EU, 1972 saw Andrew visit France again where he served as interpreter for ADAS Regional Directors on a diplomatic visit to Normandy and the Jura region. His linguistic skills and cultural sensitivity facilitated knowledge exchange on dairy and cheese production. The same year also saw him invited to become a Member of the Society of Biology and being promoted to Grade 1, becoming the first ADAS Publications Officer at Westminster. While there, he oversaw the production of over 1,100 titles and his commitment to quality, innovation, and accessibility ensured that ADAS publications reached a wide audience and supported evidence-based farming practices.
Andrew’s illustrated lecture on “England’s Agriculture” at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich in 1974 was a career highlight. Delivered in the historic Painted Hall, with the future King Charles III in attendance, the lecture blended scholarship with public engagement. Andrew’s eloquence and humour made the event memorable, and his interactions with naval officers reflected his ability to connect across disciplines.
As ADAS Divisional Head in Nottingham and later Gloucester, Andrew managed large teams and oversaw agricultural development across multiple counties. His leadership in Gloucestershire’s Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group and his governorship at Wiltshire Agricultural College reflected his commitment to both sustainable farming and education.
Under Andrew’s guidance, the south-west region achieved remarkable productivity, contributing 40% of regional output from just 20% of the land area. His strategic vision and collaborative approach left a lasting impact on regional agriculture. His ability to balance technical expertise with interpersonal skills made him a respected figure among colleagues and farmers alike.
Retiring in 1988, Andrew continued to contribute to the field of agriculture. He was elected a Life Member of the Royal Society of Biology in 1989 and became a Fellow in 2020. Outside of agriculture, his co-authorship of This Far-Off Wild Land: The Upper Missouri Letters of Andrew Dawson with Lesley Wischmann added a historical dimension to his legacy. The book, praised by scholars, highlighted his great-great uncle’s American frontier exploits with the American Fur Company between 1844 and 1861. At the age of 96, Andrew has recently completed his final illustrated book.
Andrew’s life is a rich tapestry of personal resilience, professional excellence, and intellectual curiosity. From the threat of danger during World War II to the lecture halls of the University of Aberdeen and the diplomatic corridors of Westminster, Paris and Jerusalem, Andrew’s story reflects the values of integrity, service, and lifelong learning.
His contributions to agriculture, education, and international collaboration have left an indelible mark on the institutions and communities he served. His story is not only a chronicle of achievement but also an inspiration to future generations of scholars, civil servants, and agricultural innovators.
