William Leslie Wildish (1883-1963)
'Northsyde', East Molesey
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Grandson of Robert Mercer (1802-1888)
Born: 16 December 1883 in Frittenden, Kent Father: William Wildish (1830-1922) Mother: Jane Mercer (1836-1929) Married: 9 August 1911 in Lynsted, Kent Spouse: Annie Louise Filmer (1881-1969) Relationship: Jessie Tivey (1910-1977) Children: Patrick George (1932) Occupation: dairy farmer, grazier, master butcher, meat contractor, purveyor of meats, fruiterer, greengrocer, gown specialist, ladies outfitter, draper, costumier, hosier Died: 7 March 1963 at the Sunbury Nursing Home, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex (aged 79) |
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Biographical notes
- He was known almost exclusively by his middle name of Leslie, although he did sign his name in full, and is referred to in business records as W. L. Wildish.
- Leslie attended a small private school in Rye, Sussex specialising in the performing arts.
- Leslie was a trooper in the Rye Troop Imperial Yeomanry around the turn of the century.
- He worked as a dairy farmer and owned Ivy House Farm in Ore, near Hastings, Sussex, and was an active member of the Rye Farmers' Club as a young man.
- He later established a business as a master butcher and purveyor of meats, operating in Walton Road, East Molesey for many years.
- Leslie initially gained an exemption from active service in WWI, investing in a substantial war bond. However, his exemption was later appealed by the military representative and, despite Leslie's solicitor's argument that he had "very large responsibilities, with three businesses to control", Leslie had no choice but to join the war effort.
- Leslie received training at Crystal Palace and joined the Royal Navy. During this time, his eldest brother Mercer moved to East Molesey to operate his businesses.
- After a year in the navy, Leslie joined the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918. By January 1919 he had been promoted to Leading Aircraftman and was based at Blandford Camp in Dorset. His final promotion was to Corporal. He was then placed on the RAF Reserve, and his class was discharged on 30 April 1920.
- Leslie was a freemason initiated to the Lewis Lodge of the United Grand Lodge of England on 17 July 1920.
- Leslie later operated a ladies' outfitters' firm on the High Street in Guildford. The premises is now a Massimo Dutti outlet.
- Leslie lived for many years with his wife and their housekeeper at 'Northsyde' in Arnison Road in East Molesey. This was a large house and garden with an enormous walnut tree.
- Leslie's wife Ann was known to be very glamorous and often wore stylish fox stoles. She was remembered as being a kind and gentle aunt who sat her younger relatives on her lap and read to them by the fireside.
- Leslie was a very keen tennis player. He played at his local courts in East Molesey every Sunday without fail for decades. He often played with his nephew Richard Conway Wildish. Leslie played until he was seventy. Leslie also had an interest in theatre. He was remembered as a strict man who demanded that children be on their best behaviour.
- Leslie suffered from hemiplegia and heart issues in his final years, and died at the Sunbury Nursing Home aged 79.
The 3 women in Leslie's life
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Louisa Welfare
(1884-1956) |
Annie Louise Filmer (1881-1969)
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Jessie Tivey
(1910-1977) |
Last updated 18 July 2024