Frank Hucks
Frank Hucks (1877-1934)
1877 Born in London son of William Hucks
1934 Obituary [1]
Eng. Lt.-Commr. FRANK HUCKS, R.N., was one of the pioneers of commercial flying in this country. He obtained an air pilot's certificate and founded the Frank Hucks Waterplane Company, Ltd., at Eastbourne in 1911.
He was born in London in 1877 and received his technical education from 1894 to 1898 at Regent Street Polytechnic, London. He served his apprenticeship with Messrs. William Hucks and Company, Camden Town, from 1893 to 1898, after which he spent a year at Messrs. Yarrow's works at Poplar.
He then went to sea in steamships run by Messrs. Cagier and Company and in due course obtained a Board of Trade chief engineer's certificate.
In 1904 he went into business on his own account and established under his name an electrical and mechanical engineering and contracting firm in London. He subsequently became interested in flying, and established his Eastbourne business.
During the War he served as an engineer officer in the Navy, and later was appointed commander of the coastal motor boat services.
He retired in 1922, and lived at Hampton Court.
In 1931 he laid cables under the Thames from Hampton ferry to Molesey for the new Hampton telephone exchange.
His death occurred at Hampton Court on 1st November 1934.
He had been an Associate Member of the Institution since 1920 and was also a Member of the Institution of Naval Architects.