FT (Freddie) Henry 1910-1997

Freddie was born on the 7^th of September 1910 and from an early age showed a keen interest in motoring. At the age of 12, in 1922, he had a ride in one of the first Austin Sevens produced. In 1926 at the age of 16, Freddie commenced a six year apprenticeship with Austin. Freddie developed a life long interest in motor racing. During his apprenticeship he became close friends with Charles Goodacre, Ralph Secretan and many others associated with the racing effort at the Austin works (see the racing section for addition information in this area).

Freddie was also involved, as an apprentice, in the development of the Hayes variable transmission - a project headed by Arthur Waite. This design formed the basis of the transmission used in the Harrier Jump Jet.

Freddie was one of the racing team’s timekeepers, a task that gave him great pleasure.

During the war Freddie was employed re-tooling the works for the production of military vehicles. During the war he met and married his wife Jenny. He was later transferred to the Ministry of Defence where he remained until his retirement.

He was an active member of the 750 Motor Club for many years. At the time of his death, he was the Vice President of the Club. He was also a keen member of the Ex-Austin Apprentices Association and reportedly attended every Association dinner since 1927. Freddie was highly respected in the motor industry and in 1995 was presented, by the Duke of Kent, with a special award the "Services to the Motor Industry" award at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Centenary Dinner.

Freddie kept a vast collection of Austin memorabilia and was a prolific writer in later years. Many of these written articles have now become part of the documented Austin history.

Freddie died on the 27^th of February,1997, at the age of 86.

The Austin Seven Motoring Pages