I Originally Joined for Marshall's of Cambridge Engineering For Six Months, Leaving After 48 years and 1 Month Yesterday (30th September 2024) was my very last day at Marshall’s, after originally joining the company on 31st August 1976 for an intended 6-month stint, I’m finally leaving after only 48 years and 1 month. Marshall's recently agreed to my voluntary redundancy, where I was one of notionally 300 at risk. As Marshall were offering to pay me more than I would have earnt before my notional retirement date, next July, it was an offer I felt I could not refuse. I’ve been very privileged in my time at Marshall’s and guess this explains why I’ve slightly overshot my originally intended 6-month stint. In my time at Marshall's, mostly in my role as aerodynamicist and flight test engineer, I’ve worked on some really amazing projects with many very talented people, a few example projects that I think notable, and have particularly enjoyed personally, are as follows: C130 Legacy: RAF C Mk 1 MAROC, IRCM, HEVS RNLAF Wing Pods SAAF Avionic Update including a new digital autopilot L1011: Queens Flight Infra-Red Jammer Pods RAF K/KC Mk 1 & C Mk 2/2A AAR Tanker & Receiver OSC Pegasus, WIRE & X-34 RAF K/KC Mk 1 & C Mk 2/2A DIRCM/LAIRCM RAF K Mk 1 MMR 125: RAF Dominie Avionic Update including moving the weather radar radome forward by several inches RAF -700 DIRCM Global Express: Various differing customers Completions UAE AERS I was also involved in lots of interesting bid activities, at Marshall's, which unfortunately did not evolve any further with the company, those listed above all being real projects that actually flew, even if certain of them got cancelled part way through. These halcyon days are becoming a distant memory, and although I’m sad to be leaving Marshall's, very sadly, with the current work situation, I think I would feel sadder if I wasn’t (leaving). I do have another part time job lined up for the new year, which I'm hoping will fit in with my new work/life style. During October to the end of the year, I’m looking forward to having more leisure time, and I hope to be spending more time with my wife, also known as the ‘Supreme Commander’. When I’m not tinkering with RC model planes or motorbikes etc., I suspect that my Supreme Commander will also have a small list of DIY tasks to pick from. After nearly fifty years of continuous employment with the company, I’m sincerely hoping that under the right direction, Marshall's will be able to overcome the current ongoing crisis, and start to thrive once again. Regards and best wishes to my former colleagues, Steve Rolph CEng FRAeS
Good luck Steve, Marshall's certainly offered us all a varying and interesting set of projects over the years, I've still got fond memories of those MMR flights. Having chosen to move on a few years ago, it's sad to hear of so many former colleagues who are having to leave not of their own accord. However, you've certainly had a distinguished career, and I hope you enjoy your new challenges ahead, whatever the Supreme Commander has in store for you.
Steve. I wish you all the best for you retirement. You have certainly earned it. As one who has shared with you many of those memorable flight test programmes I am in a good position to say you are the best. I hope Marshall realise just how difficult you will be to replace. We did have some unique experience over the years and some fun in the process. I am sure you can keep the fun going in retirement. Hope to catch up with you sometime.
Steve it was always a great pleasure to work with you and I always admired your quiet professional approach to the many project challenges we encountered (SB**S 😳 for instance). I thoroughly recommend retirement, I wonder how I managed to fit the work stuff in. I do sometimes miss the friends and colleagues I worked with and the memories remain of the 'good times' at MA. All the best for the future.
Steve, It was a privilege working with you, I was, and still am, in awe of your knowledge. It’s been 7 weeks since I finished and following your use of the word, sadly (and also a little surprisingly) I haven’t missed it and suspect you will be exactly the same. With respect to DIY tasks I find that ‘not having the right tool or material’ can buy time to do something else! Enjoy yourselves.
Steve A fantastic career. I remember all those projects mostly with fond memories despite the traumas that accompanied many of them. Eith best wishes for a long happy and successful semi retirement. Martin Broadhurst
What an amazing time you have had at Marshalls. Something you should be very proud of. There aren’t many people who could say they have been involved in so many amazing projects in their whole career never mind one at the same company (with a few projects that I recognise and remember fondly myself). Enjoy the time you have coming up to relax and reflect on a such a stellar and impactful career! 👏🏻
Have a long and wonderful retirement Steve. We had a lot of goods times, and some not so! but we certainly had the best of it. It was an honour and pleasure working with you for all those years. Good luck my friend. Julie
Steve, it has been a pleasure working with you, all the best for the future.
All the very best Steve. It was a long time ago, but I still fondly remember working on the RNLAF C-130 Pods, MWS etc and OSC Pegasus among many others. Sorry to hear there's a crisis at MA.
Resting
3moGood luck for the future Steve, it was good working with you for all those years. I’m writing this in Italy and the sun is beaming down - retirement has its pleasures as you will find. Hope to bump into you at some point