Rhys Probert was born 28 May 1921, the son of the Reverend Thomas and Margaret Jane Probert. He was educated firstly at Jones' West Monmouth School, then at St Catharine's College, Cambridge.

From 1942-1944, Probert worked at the Royal Aircraft Establishment. He moved to Power Jets (Research and Development) Ltd in 1944, staying until 1946, when he spent a brief time at the Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, from 1946-1947. Probert joined the National Gas Turbine Establishment in 1947 and remained there until 1963 (as Deputy Director after 1957). Between 1963 and 1968 he worked as Director-General of Scientific Research/Air, Ministry of Aviation, then from 1968-1972 was Deputy Controller of Aircraft A, at the Ministry of Technology, later the Ministry of Defence. Probert ended his career by returning to the Royal Aircraft Establishment, firstly as Director, from 1973, and then as President from 1979-1980.

In 1947 he married Carolyn Cleasby, of Lancaster, NH, USA; they had three sons and one daughter.

Awards: CB 1972. FEng 1978.

Publications: contributions to various scientific and technical journals.