Thomas Percy Hilditch, 1886-1965

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Thomas Percy Hilditch was born at Tollington Park, North Islington, London, on 22 April 1886. His father, Thom as Hilditch and his m other ( née Priscilla Hall) came from near Newcastle-under-Lyme, N orth Staffordshire. His paternal grandfather, Jo h n Hilditch, was a shopkeeper and tradesm an in boots and shoes at Audley and his m aternal grandfather, Frederick Hall, was cashier and office m anager at Apedale Colliery, Chesterton, until 1883 when he moved to London to become the London agent of Edwards and Company, Tile M anufacturers, of R uabon in N orth Wales. Hilditch described Frederick H all as successful in his business and a m an of culture and wide reading who before moving to London had organized and conducted am ateur brass and string orchestras in N orth Staffordshire. He played the ’cello and, in his early days, other instruments. Hilditch was always conscious how much he owed to Frederick H all’s example and encouragement. His m other was also musical and played the pianoforte competently. H ilditch’s secondary education began in 1900 at Owen’s School, N orth Islington, an establishment supported by The Worshipful Company of Brewers as Governors. His interest in science was first aroused in his prim ary school by F. R. Guglielmo, an enthusiastic young teacher, but his great debt was to A. E. D unstan who joined the Staff of Owen’s School in January 1901 soon after graduating from the Royal College of Science. D r Dunstan later became Chief Chemist to the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company Ltd. At Owen’s School Dunstan took a great interest in those boys who showed an interest in science and a particular aptitude for chemistry. He piloted them skilfully towards the type of university education which seemed best suited to their individual needs. Hilditch records that he, and some of his contemporaries, kept in touch with Dunstan long after they had left school.

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