Names on the buses

309 Sir Diarmuid Downs

Connections with Brighton and Hove : Sir Diarmuid Downs, who lived for many years in Hove, was one of Britain’s foremost engineers. Born in 1922, he grew up in London. His father was an engineer who made equipment for the oil industry. After a brilliant academic start, he gained a first class degree from a London college. He won a postgraduate bursary for research and study and took this up with Ricardo, a company based in Shoreham. Joining the company, he became head of the petrol engine department. He produced a study of combustion problems. This gave all involved a clear understanding of knock and pre-ignition in petrol engines. Ricardo made him a director in 1957 and managing director ten years later. He was chairman for 22 years before retiring in 1987. He received many honours and awards including a knighthood and was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society. A devoted family man, he and his wife Carmel had four children. He died in 2014.

309 Alexander Dennis Enviro - carried name since September 2019.