Lunchtime Speaker- Kevin Flude

Kevin Flude recently gave an insightful talk about his father, Ben Flude, titled A Boy from Haggerston. Kevin, a published author, has edited a book of the same name, which offers a vivid glimpse into life in London and Essex during the 1920s and 1930s, as well as Guildford and Woking in the 1940s. The book is richly illustrated with photographs of Ben and his family.

The Flude family descends from French Huguenots who fled France after Protestantism was outlawed in 1685. Many Huguenots settled in London, particularly around Shoreditch. A notable ancestor, John Flude, a broker from Cornhill, London, donated a gold and silver medallion to Dartmouth College, USA, in 1785.

Ben Flude was born on Lee Street, Haggerston. His father, Benjamin, worked as a mechanic for the Royal Flying Corps during World War I and later for Imperial Airways. Tragically, he passed away from a burst ulcer shortly after Ben was born. Ben’s mother, Ada (née Prosser), one of eight sisters, initially worked as a cook at the Bovril Factory but returned to work there as an office cleaner after her husband’s death. She left Ben in the care of her parents, ensuring he had simple meals like bread, dripping, and an egg for lunch.

In 1935, Ada remarried Ernest Mosley, known as “Pop,” who worked as a warehouse manager at Smithfield meat market. The family moved to Leyton, Essex, where Ben had his own room and attended the local primary school. In 1938, at age 11, Ben passed a scholarship exam and joined Chingford County High School. The family expanded with the birth of Ben’s sister Patricia in 1939. Later that year, his school was evacuated to Hockley, Essex, and subsequently to Coleford in the Forest of Dean as World War II loomed.

Kevin’s talk ended with this first installment of Ben’s story, with more details promised in future chapters.