[1] Born in Paris, France to British parents, he was the eldest son[note 1] of a well to do newspaper correspondent working there.

With his brother Henry, who was also trained as an engineer, he set up Paris's largest automobile agency, the Palais de l'Automobile, dealing in Delaunay-Bellevilles, Panhard-Levassors, and Renaults.

He was an author of many technical works on engines, also an aviator in 1914 to 1918, and was a director of an aircraft factory in Lyon.

Dick concentrated on the business side of manufacture at Société Anonyme des Usines Farman and their airline,[note 3] which became part of Air France in 1933.

[4] At the age of 65 Dick retired, after the French nationalization of its aircraft industry in 1937 ended their independence, the brothers refusing to remain as employees.