Woodhouse, Stan

Born in South Shields, County Durham and deaf at age 6 from measles. Attended the North Counties School for the Deaf at Newcastle-upon-Tyne beginning age 9 1/2. After leaving school, worked for a shipbuilding company as a welder but had to leave after a few years due to chest pains from the welding fumes. Retrained as a draftsman, going to work for one company for 37 years until 1980 retirement. Married Vera Hunter, deaf. Instrumental in the building of a new deaf center (club) in Slough, which opened 1968. Received a Medal of the British Empire for his efforts. Served as first president of the National Union of the Deaf, 1976 until failing health from lung problems, aggravated by his heavy smoking, caused his death.