William Henry Harris, London’s Oldest Man.
He Invented “Tinsel”
1837-1939
A short stroll from Ladywell chapel, just past grave of Edward Ernest Dowson. lies the family grave of William Henry Harris.
William was born in Deptford, on the 3rd of February 1837. His parents were John Harris (a coal porter) and Martha (nee Bartley). He was baptised at St. Paul, Deptford on the 2nd July 1837, being born in the reign of William the IV, and just four months before Queen Victoria’s Coronation, he married Angela Wynn, at St Alfege Church, Greenwich on Christmas Day 1859.
William went to work when only six years old, labouring a 12-hour day as a child from 6am until 6pm, receiving half a crown a week. He served an apprenticeship as an engineer at New Cross, and was with the Lewisham silk mills for more than 50 years. Rising to be a Chief Engineer there (1911 census, Gold Lace Mills), it was whilst working there he 'invented Tinsel' which revolutionised Christmas decorations.
He was in his 40s, when a lucky accident led to William’s discovery of the secret of making tinsel garlands. His boss wanted to produce a thread that sparkled, but it was not until William picked up a silk thread with metal shavings adhering to it, that the idea became a practical possibility. Tinsel was born as he held it up and it sparkled so prettily in the light, William recalled. The idea was adopted by his manager and shavings were fixed to the silk.
(That gay glittering stuff whose sparkle puts paper streamers to shame)
Another of his inventions was a tube for tracheotomy, an operation on the windpipe, used in the treatment of diphtheria. William always claimed that one of his tubes was used to treat the German Emperor father of Kaiser Wilhelm II, who died of an infection of the throat.
William was a pioneer of the cycle industry, making his own machine and cycling until he was over 80, which was when his bike was stolen.
After his retirement in 1914, he did not become idle, for apart from working in his garden, he worked with his sons building a garage on Loampit vale.
At the age of 84, he went up in an aeroplane, and was annoyed because he could not have a second trip
Birmingham Mail-24 February 1939
Being a keen gardener, William celebrated his 100th birthday, by planting an apple tree in his garden. He kept himself fit by eating three loaves of bread a day, he said “If I hadn’t kept fit by eating plain simple food I would have been dead long ago”, until he was 75, he lived on bread and cheese, grilled meat and beer, since substituting the beer for milk. Every morning, he got up at 7.3, light the fires and made his breakfast, composed of a glass of hot water, bread and milk and some toast and marmalade.
But for his birthday dinner he had grilled steak, half a loaf of 24-hour old bread and fruit.
On his 101st Birthday, he spent most of the morning gardening, and later vividly told of things that had occurred during his long life, recalling the days of the Crimean War, and was then able to sing a song, 'Listen you sons of the nation, the glorious achievement is done, the great heights of Alma and Victory and Alice are won.' (He served as a Bandsman in the Kent Artillery Volunteers)
On his 102nd Birthday, he not only gave evidence of all his cheeriness and good spirits, but was able to read a newspaper without glasses.
Sadly, after only one illness in his life. William Henry Harris, the oldest man in London at the age of 102, died at his home at 85 Algernon Road, on Saturday the 15th April 1939, his death was ascribed to old age.
In the presence of about 200 of his Family, friends and neighbours, the internment took place at Lewisham (Ladywell) Cemetery on Thursday afternoon of the 20th April 1939.
Remains of other centenarians’ repose in the cemetery but at the time William was said to be the oldest person buried there?
Chester Chronicle-22 April 1939
The Family Grave of William Henry Harris with his wife Angelina (Dear Grandma Harris)
Also, sons and daughters and reference to their grandchildren
Ladywell Cemetery Plot No. E/213
Put together by Phill Barnes. Committee Member FoBLC.
Researched using Ancestry, Find My Past. also, newspapers and Deceased online.
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