Life Story Part 1 :: 1916 - 1938
Eric William Classey was born on 2nd November 1916 to father Reginald and mother Lydia. They lived in Paddington, London. together with his brother, David.
Eric was educated at Essendine Road School, Maida Vale in London until the age of 14. He was a keen entomologist and collector from boyhood and earned his nickname - "Bugs".
After leaving school, Eric worked as a laboratory assistant at St Mary's Hospital Medical School in Paddington, the start of a lifetime's interest in science. In 1934 at the age of 18, he obtained a post as a preparator in the "Setting Room" in the Department of Entomology, British Museum (Natural History), later specialising in the Coleoptera section.
At this time, met and fell in love with the beautiful Ivy Ash - seen below strutting their stuff at the New Year's Eve Ball in Earls Court in 1933. Eric and Ivy developed a passion for dancing which flourished throughout their married life - even leading to setting up a balloom dancing school where they encouraged and coached other couples in the art of foxtrot, waltz and tango!
