25 Facts About Leonard Hussey

Leonard Hussey's father was a machine operator in the stationery printing industry.

On 6 October 1909, Leonard Hussey entered the University of London, taking as course in psychology and gaining a Bachelor of Science second class at King's College London, as well as degrees in meteorology and anthropology.

From 1913, Leonard Hussey had undertaken employment as an anthropologist and archaeologist at a dig in Jebel Moya, Sudan as part of Henry Wellcome's Expedition.

Leonard Hussey wrote to Shackleton expressing his interest in joining the project.

Shackleton replied telling Leonard Hussey to call on him when he returned to London.

Leonard Hussey was a popular member of the group due to his humour and perpetual playing of his five-string banjo, in company with Dr James McIlroy's imitations of the trombone and bagpipes.

On 24 April 1916, while Shackleton took five other men from camp on South Georgia on the James Caird to find help, Leonard Hussey was one of the 22 men left behind on Elephant Island to await rescue, and continued to use his banjo to improve morale.

Leonard Hussey initially joined the London University contingent of the Officers' Training Corps, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the cadets on 13 November 1912.

Leonard Hussey progressed to the full armed forces in the later years of the First World War, and was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant in the Royal Garrison Artillery on 19 January 1917, serving in France, as well as operating with Shackleton on operations at Murmansk in northern Russia as part of the Polar Bear Expedition.

Leonard Hussey was promoted to temporary lieutenant on 19 July 1918, and to the temporary rank of captain on 8 October.

Leonard Hussey was demobilised on 14 May 1919, retaining the rank of captain.

Leonard Hussey was asked by Frank Wild, following Shackleton's death in harbour in South Georgia, to escort the body to England while Wild himself assumed command of the Quest.

Leonard Hussey arrived in South America and cabled England with news of the explorer's passing.

Shackleton's widow responded that the explorer should be buried at Grytviken in South Georgia, and Leonard Hussey carried out these instructions.

Leonard Hussey had become a member of the Royal College of Surgeons and a Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians, while residing at 328 Clapham Road, in London.

Leonard Hussey joined the RAF as a medical officer during the Second World War, with the rank of flight lieutenant and the serial number 87314.

Leonard Hussey served in Iceland as First Senior Medical Officer in the temporary rank of squadron leader, to which he was promoted on 1 July 1943 and then at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire.

Leonard Hussey was Mentioned in Despatches on two occasions in 1945, on 1 January and 14 May Appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1946 New Year Honours, Hussey retained his links to the RAF for a time after the end of the war, serving in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve as a squadron leader, until his retirement on 10 February 1954.

Leonard Hussey was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1946 New Year Honours for his war service, and in 1949 he served on the SS Clan Macauley as a ship's surgeon, sailing from England to South Africa and Australia.

Leonard Hussey was involved in the re-formation of the London Banjo Club and served for several years as president despite often being abroad for his work as ship's surgeon.

Leonard Hussey published his account of the Trans-Antarctic expedition entitled South with Endurance.

In 1960, Leonard Hussey retired to Worthing, and was forced to curtail his lecturing career due to poor health.

Leonard Hussey died in London in 1964 at the age of 72, and was survived by his wife, who died in 1980.

Leonard Hussey published a number of works throughout his life, including editing the records of both of Shackleton's expeditions, and a number of articles in partnership with other expedition members.

Leonard Hussey was the recipient of a number of decorations for his work in both world wars and as a member of Shackleton's expeditions.