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Dear Bo (Liz),

From the research that I have done, I get the feeling that WH was actually rather a good egg (although there is not much info other than on his achievements ii the coal industry).  Sadly his diary, which was around in the 20th century has disappeared.  'Complete and utter Bastard' was a much-used phrase by Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmonson during the 1980s and an much over-used phrase by me in the early 21st century.

I am eternally grateful for all WH's endeavour as it led to a prosperity for his progeny which has filtered down to this day.  I have a rather splendid oil portrait of him which you can see on my Ancestry.co.uk tree.

All the best,

Mark

 

Hello All,

Just to add my penny's worth, I am one of only two living descendants of William Hedley the inventor (other than by marriage, where two are also extant).  I have long corresponded with Pat Barnes and Jessie Pitt, the latter being the real 'Hedley guru'.  My public member tree on Ancestry has a few pictures of said WH the bastard.

According to Deuteronomy my Grandchildren, should I be so blessed, will be the first of the line permitted to enter the Kingdom of Heaven - bummer for me!

All the best, distant cousins,

Mark Beattie