Leonard was born at Norman House. Norman Road. Leytonestone. London. He was one of three sons born to James and Eliza Hussey (nee Aitken ). They also had five daughters. His father was employed in the stationery printing industry as a Machine Ruler, and at the turn of the century they were all living at 342 Kingsland Road. Leytonstone.
He was educated at the Strand School and Hackney P.T. Centre. and enrolled at the London University on 6th October 1909. In 1912 he gained a B.Sc. (second class) in Psychology from Kings College. London.
Leonard Hussey was one of the many people who wrote to Shackleton in the hope of joining his expedition.Hussey graduated from King’s College and had obtained degrees in Meteorology, Anthropology and Psychology. At the time of applying he had just finished expeditionary work in the Sudan,where he was engaged as an Anthropologist on the 1913 Wellcome Expedition and had received a salary of £8 per month !.
He had read that Shackleton was about to start recruiting for his intended Antarctic Expedition from an old newspaper he came across.
Shackleton granted Hussey an interview on his return home to England. M & J Fisher quote Hussey’s recollection of the interview in their 1957 book “Shackleton”…..
“He called for me, looked me up and down, walked up and down when he was talking to me , didn’t seem to take any notice. Finally he said, “Yes, I like you, I’ll take you.” He told me afterwards he took me because he thought I looked funny!”
Hussey was the smallest man on the expedition and probably the wittiest. During the expedition his banjo playing and his home made one-string violin, combined with his jovial character, proved crucial in helping to raise the moral of his fellow crewmen, particularly during the long days on the Ice and on Elephant Island.
Leonard arrived back in England from South America aboard the Nelson Line’s “Highland Laddie” on 26th October 1916.
In WW1 he was commissioned on 19th January 1917 as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Garrison Artillery and saw much battle action in France, including St.Quentin and Dixmunde and also on the North Russia front. Shackleton had met up with Hussey and a number of other expedition members in London who all were to serve in the North Russia Expeditionary force. Hussey served with Shackleton on Operation Syren. By the time the war ended he held the rank of Captain.
Hussey assisted Shackleton with his famous book “South” and did the final editing.
In 1921 he and Dr.Macklin jointly wrote an article “ Scurvy in Polar Regions” which was published in the “Lancet Journal”. Later that same year he was invited to join Shackleton’s last expedition and was appointed meteorologist and assistant surgeon on the “Quest”.
It was Hussey who was given the duty of escorting Shackleton’s body back to England from South Georgia. The plan was to change when Emily Shackleton requested that Sir Ernest be laid to rest on South Georgia, and it was Hussey who again made the necessary arrangements.
Once the war ended he resumed his career, which by now had changed direction into the medical profession .The General Medical Register of 1923 shows that he was a member of the Royal College of Surgeons and a Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians. He was in general medical practice in London up until around the outbreak of WW11.
During WW11 he joined the Royal Air Force and in 1940 became a medical officer. He was posted to Iceland as First Senior Medical Officer to the R.A.F. with the rank of a Squadron Leader. Later he was to be stationed at R.A.F.Benson.London. His distinguished war record included the military O.B.E. (01/01/1946) and he was twice mentioned in despatches. (01/01/1945 and 14/05/1945)
In 1949 Hussey’s book “South with Endurance” was published which told his own version of the 1914 -16 expedition. That same year he served as ship surgeon on the S.S.Clan Macauley which sailed from England to South Africa and Australia.
He continued in practice as a G.P. in Hertfordshire up until around 1957. Also that year he became president of the Antarctic Club. Over the years he gave many lectures about his Antarctic adventures, and in 1959 donated his famous Banjo with the British Maritime Museum (estimated to now be worth well in excess of £150,000 ! ).
He became involved with the Boy Scout movement through his friend Ralph Gullett a local Scout Leader, and was President of the Chorleywood Scout pack.
Hussey retired to Worthing in 1960 , and when ill health prevented him giving lectures on the Endurance expedition he passes his notes and lantern slides over to Ralph Gullett who continued to give lectures for charitable causes.
He was married for many years to Grace Muriel Hellstrom .The marriage produced no children. Leonard died in 1964 aged 72. His wife Grace, died in 1980.
Leonard Hussey, presenting his Shackleton / Hussey trophy shield to the Chorleywood Scouts sometime in the early 1960’s.
Hussey’s Medals : O.B.E. (Military). British War Medal.
Mercantile Marine War Medal. Victory Medal. Defence Medal.
1939-45 War Medal ( with Oak leaf for mention in despatches)
Polar Medal (Bar Antarctic 1914-16) Along with his authority to wear medals for the Mercantile Marine.
The Medals and document are in Private Hands.
With grateful thanks to Dianne Young and Glenn Stein
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Endurance Obituaries
