The English Electric company was formed in the 1920’s, by amalgamating five different companies who had made munitions, armaments and aeroplanes during The Great War. One of the five, Dick, Kerr & Co, of Preston were manufacturing narrow gauge railway locomotives for the War Office and were asked by the Admiralty to build sea planes designed by The Seaplane Experimental Establishment at Felixstowe.

At their Preston works the Company started sub-contract work for Handley page, manufacturing both the Hampden and Halifax Bombers. After the Second World War ended they switched to making aircraft of their own design. Initially the iconic Canberra Bomber, then the lightning fighter. Both gave yeoman service around the world.