Phyllis Dawson

Phyllis Dawson was Dr. John Quinn's assistant at the Wenley Moor nuclear research facility.

Biography
Phyllis Dawson (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Cave-Monsters, The Scales of Injustice) lived in London her whole life, looking after her ageing mother whilst her siblings moved to America and Australia. When her mother died, she took a job as Dr. Quinn's assistant at the Wenley Moor research facility. (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Cave-Monsters) 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 others 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 did not answer Dawson's calls, Dawson returned to Quinn's cottage and found his 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

 * Miss Dawson's first name, Phyllis, is never mentioned on-screen; it is used only in Malcolm Hulke's novelisation.