Phyllis Dawson

Phyllis Dawson was Dr John Quinn's assistant at the Wenley Moor nuclear research facility. She had a close relationship with Quinn and openly admired him.

After Quinn made first contact with the Silurians under Wenley Moor while he was exploring the nearby caves, he told only Dawson of his find. When the Silurians began tapping into the centre's nuclear reactor she urged Quinn to talk, but he refused. This refusal went on when UNIT arrived and she became more fearful. Dawson covered for Quinn when other asked to speak to him. She warned Quinn about the Third Doctor when she found the Doctor was searching Quinn's office. Quinn told Dawson about the Silurian the knowledge he intended to get from it, and ignored Dawson's warnings that it might kill him.

When Quinn didn't answer Dawson's calls, Dawson returned to Quinn's cottage and found body. She advocated UNIT to attack the Silurians in force and later caught the Silurian virus. (TV: Doctor Who and the Silurians)

Behind the scenes
Dawson's first name Phyllis is only given in the novelisation, and is reused in the novel The Scales of Injustice.