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Henry Wilson, known as 鈥淗arry鈥� was born in Newcastle upon Tyne. His parents were both school teachers, so it was no surprise to find him able to read before starting school.

After some years, Harry won a scholarship to Dame Allan鈥檚 in Newcastle. He had an equal ability in arts and science and made a choice to do chemistry as his main subject for university application. He was awarded a state scholarship on A level results.

Opting for Durham University, his choice was vindicated by winning the Salter Prize for physical chemistry in his first year. He was captain of the King鈥檚 College Team in the 1963 University Challenge.

Graduating with a 2.1 in chemistry led to PhD research in electro-chemical crystal growth which after three years led to joining Shell Research to work on fuel cell development in Thornton Research Centre. In the 1960s this was a major interest for oil companies to develop a power source for electric vehicles. Harry鈥檚 contribution was to help develop air electrodes which were a spin off into hybrid metal air cell, for which he had his first UK patent.

Harry met and married Janet a year after arriving in Cheshire. Over the next six years they had two sons.

Harry then had a change in direction and set up a pilot plant to demonstrate a new internal insulation for Marine LPG and LNG Tankers. Work in the Mitsubishi Shipyard in Yokohama reinforced his interest in workforce health and he accepted a move to head health and safety in Shell Research Centre.

He began training in occupational hygeine directed towards prevention of illness and disease attributable to work. He became president of the BOHS and contributed many papers to international conferences on health in Australia, Finland and USA.

Harry was an independent expert on toxic substances and wrote several guidance notes for the 番茄社区.

After his retirement, Harry and Janet set up 鈥淗enry Wilson Books鈥�, specialising in railway transport and industrial history. Janet died in 2004 after a short illness and Harry moved the business to Sedbergh.

Harry met Eileen on a cruise in 2009, and they married in 2010 and moved to Northumberland with their three dogs. He continued on many NHS committees and was a volunteer for RNLI. He enjoyed singing in the choir.