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Name: WHIDDETT, Henry William 'Harry'
Birth Date: 6 Dec 1913 Sheppey, Kent
First Date: 1937
Profession: Primary Schoolmaster in 1939, appointed 1937. Originally Primary Educ. Officer 1937. Headmaster, Nakuru School 1944
Area: Nakuru
Married: 1949 Mrs Helen McLeod Anderson née Caie b. 29 Nov 1910, d. 1994, teacher (prev. m. to James Anderson 1908-1989, div. 1949)
Book Reference: Staff 39, Hut, Colonial, Women in Kenya, Childhood
War Service: Military service 1939-42, Capt.
School: Borden Grammar School, Univ. of London and Goldsmith's College
General Information:
Women in Kenya - Helen Whiddett - It was said at the Memorial Service for Helen that she had always done everything just right, a truth that was shown throughout her life. Helen was born in Scotland in 1910 and met her first husband whilst she was a student of Modern Languages at Edinburgh University. This was Jim Anderson, the renowned vet who developed Artificial Insemination, so necessary in this country. It was in the early 30s when Helen came to Kenya to marry Jim at the Mombasa Cathedral, and they later moved up-country.
Helen and Jim had 3 children, Jenny (now Preston), Euan, a vet like his father but now specialising in wildlife work in Zimbabwe, and Liz (now Chater). Old pupils of Nakuru Primary School may remember Helen teaching there almost 50 years ago. Helen then married Harry Whiddett and later moved to Nairobi and taught at the Kenya High School.
Childhood - Adam Edmondson - "I went to Nakuru School with mixed emotions. The regime was harsh under a sadistic Headmaster, Harry Whidett [sic], who was feared by most. Cross Country runs usually ended up with a compulsory dip in the swimming pool. Those unable to swim (me) were thrown in at the deep end and told "swim".
Colonial - Prin. Nakuru School 1944