Wilfred Dudley Charles Huskisson
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Wilfred Dudley Charles
Huskisson (my Father) was born June 29, 1923 at 11 New Trinity
Road, Finchley. He was named after Wilfred and Dudley Rendell, bosses of
Rendell's (the chemists and contraceptive pioneers). Wilfred's mother May and
some of her sisters had worked for the firm and May had great respect for her
employers. (The third name, 'Charles', came from May's brother Charles Henry
Binks).
Since Wilfred wrote an autobiography ('Among My Souvenirs' - see above) there seems little point in repeating information here. However, the facts include his occupation as a Production Engineer C.Eng. M.I. Prod.E., and his marriage to Mary Joan Rutland (born October 19, 1925) on July 28, 1950 at the Parish Church, Eastwood, Essex. This is approximately where 'Among My Souvenirs' ends. Wilfred (also known as 'Bill') and Mary had four children, David, Rosemary, Timothy (myself) and Alice.
A life long Socialist with many controversial philosophies, Wilfred was a very sentimental person who among other things enjoyed 1930s Hollywood musicals and in later life, collecting old books. Much of his character was built by his witnessing the years of the great depression and the very loving and stable family that he was brought up within.
He 'designed tools for production' and worked for the Ekco and Aladdin companies as well as starting his own businesses. He claimed to have been the first to think of the idea of artificial ski-slopes and we know that he was very much involved in the design and production of the first Scaletrix racing car track.
In later life, Wilfred & Mary enjoyed regular visits to Malta where they bought a flat. The address was:
flat 4
Seabreeze Court
Triq it-turisti
Bugibba
St Paul's bay
Malta
After the death of his wife, Mary (my mother) on January 4, 1999 from Motor-Neurone disease, Wilfred took a great interest in the preparation of this family tree, supplying much of the information found within these pages.
Wilfred died on November 14, 2000 in Southend General Hospital as a result of a brain tumour and complications arising from contracting MRSA within the hospital.
Mary Joan (nee Rutland) - My Mother
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Photo Album See also Henry William John Huskisson's Page (Click on the thumbnails to view the pictures) |
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Wilfred in August 2000 standing outside his place of birth, 11 New Trinity Road, Finchley |
Wilfred's school in Finchley (picture taken in 2000) |
Wilfred with model airplane |
Wilfred's swimming certificate (Finchley - Sept. 1935) |
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Wilfred performing in a talent show |
Newspaper cutting showing Wilfred ('Bill') working at Southend-On-Sea Municipal College |
Letter of recommendation from C. T. Opperman for who's company Wilfred worked |
Wilfred showing off his new accordion (circa 1939) |
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Wilfred playing the piano |
The EKCO company in Southend-On-Sea where Wilfred worked. The family had moved from Finchley to Southend in 1939 |
Wilfred at work |
Wilfred in dinner-suit |
 Wilfred's National Registration Identity Card; issued in 1943. Note that the card(s) were officially abolished on February 21, 1952. |
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Wilfred's self-portrait (1943) |
....and a drawing of his idol, Lenin (1943) |
Wilfred's entertainments headed note paper. It was common for celebrity British accordion players to 'Italianize' their names. Thus Wilfred became 'Wilfredi' |
Wilfred was a fine accordion player and worked regularly throughout the 1940s on a semi-pro basis |
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Wilfred was also a keen amateur actor. This is Wilfred in one of his 'roles' |
.....And with full company |
Recommendation reference from EKCO's |
Recommendation reference from 'Lacrinoid' |
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A Sixtieth birthday card complete with poem to his Mum, May |
'Dallens' dance studio, in Alexandra Street, Southend, where Wilfred first met his future wife, Mary, |
Mary (Rutland) |
Wilfred and Mary also attended music and harmony lessons at the Southend Municipal College |
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Mary |
The Arlington Hall where Wilfred and Mary first agreed to go out together with Mary's proviso: "As long as you don't get serious" |
'Bill' and Mary (Mary always called Wilfred by that name) |
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A note from Mary to 'Bill' on the 1st anniversary of their meeting |
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Letter of confirmation that Wilfred had become a graduate of the 'Institute Of Production Engineers' |
The Certificate |
Congratulatory note from Wilfred's parents |
Newspaper announcement of Wilfred and Mary's engagement to be married |
