Joan Elizabeth Wellesley Whyte (1913-2002)

Joan Elizabeth Wellesley Longridge née Whyte was born on 7 April 1913 in Durban, South Africa. She was the daughter of Percy Whyte Esq of Cape Town, South Africa and Eleanor Whyte née Buckland. She was the mother of David John Ernle Longridge and Rosemary Anne Hunt née Longridge. She was very little, her family lost the majority of their money, as her father was economically irresponsible and would bet money on horse races. She and her family had immigrated from South Africa to England. She and her siblings were brought up in Bedford, England, being one of 9 children. Her brother, Gerald, was head of the Gurkhas. The Gurkhas are Nepali soldiers who serve in the British Army and are regarded as some of the most elite and fearless fighting forces in the world.

One of the most unique aspects of Joan’s life was her conversion to Catholicism. Being raised within the Anglican church, when around age 16 she grew close with a Catholic English family. Within the family, there was a priest. She eventually converted to Catholicism and despite marrying an Anglican husband, raised their 2 children David and Rosemary Catholic. Joan married Theodore Longridge on 31 August 1935.