Ann Louise Hudson arrived in Kenya in 1899, one of those intrepid Victorians, whose high standards and tough self-reliance were typical of many early colonial pioneers. One of 12 children born to a Welsh labourer, she was no stranger to hard work. Her husband John was employed on the construction of the Uganda Railway and their first home was a tent at Kilindini, furnished with packing cases. Their first child, Sophia was born in Nairobi in 1902 and was reportedly, the first white baby to be born in the new township.

Shortly after this the family moved to India where her two other children, Sylvia and Jack, were born. They returned to Kenya about 1910, John Hudson again under contract to the Railways, and Ann Louise experiencing her first foray into the retailing trade with Whiteaway Laidlaw.

In 1919 John died and after a brief, but disastrous second marriage Ann Louise found herself almost destitute. Her 3 children were with relatives in England at this time, but still needed financial support to complete their education. She was a talented seamstress and milliner and set to work from a small room in Government Road. Initially, she undertook such menial jobs as repairs, alterations and curtain making, as well as creating hats and it was from these humble beginnings that Hudson's Ltd was born. The first shop occupied premises on Government Road between May & Co., the sports shop, and David Lyall the jewellers. Her creativity paid off and her ever expanding work room now began to produce beautiful hand embroidered lingerie. She also began to import a range of bras and corsetry, both 'cosmetic' and surgical. The business flourished and by 1928 she was able to build her first home in Muthaiga. This house was taken over by the Army during WW2 and it was here that the Earl of Erroll was working at the time of his murder - the infamous 'White Mischief' affair. The house was demolished in the 60s and a petrol station and shopping complex now stands on the site at the junction of the Muthaiga and Limuru Roads. Hudson's clientele included such famous Kenya names as Karen Blixen and Beryl Markham and Ann Louise could tell many tales about her early days in Kenya, particularly when she travelled "up the line" with her husband. On one occasion they attended some sort of social function at Makindu, where she danced with a Mr Ryall, the Superintendent of Police. It was very hot and the gallant Ryall offered her his handkerchief to mop her "glowing brow" (remember ladies did not perspire in those days!) She accepted and promised to launder the handkerchief before returning it to him. Sadly Ryall never returned to claim his handkerchief. The following night as he slept in his railway carriage further up the line at Kima, one of the notorious man-eating lions made a most daring attack, entered the carriage and hauled Ryall out of the window and off into the night. His remains were found about quarter of a mile away from the station the following day.

When Barclays Bank was built in Government Road, at the junction of what was then Delamere Avenue, Hudson's had to move and a suitable home was found in the newly constructed Mansion House. Decorated in a sophisticated theme of dove grey and plum, Hudson's continued to supply a range of glamorous undies and the business progressed, very logically, into the making of maternity dresses and eventually uniforms for the Kenya High School. By this time Ann Louise was a very old lady and although she continued to take an interest in the business, the day to day running of the shop was in the hands of her two daughters Sylvia Johnston and Soph Suffield.

She died in 1953 and was buried alongside her first husband in the Forest Rd. Cemetery. Hudson's continued in business until the early 60s when it was sold and soon afterwards both Sylvia and Soph emigrated to Australia. Sylvia died in 1977, but Soph lived to celebrate her 90th birthday. She died peacefully shortly before Christmas 1992 in a nursing home in Sydney. Jack followed in his father's footsteps and became a railway man, ending his career as Chief Mechanical Engineer of the EAR&H. He died in Cape Town in 1984. As for the business, it changed hands a few times, becoming progressively more down-market, but now seems to have faded completely from the Nairobi scene. A small chapter in Kenya's colonial past, but one which will probably be remembered with affection by many women. Source - Mrs Christine Hart
Nairobi Forest Road cemetery - Ann Louise Sharp Hudson, British, age 82, died 30/9/53 Inscription: John Hudson / 1869 - 1919 / and Ann Louisa Hudson / 1871 - 1953 / in loving memory

SKP - 1938 - Society of Kenya Pioneers - over 30 years in Colony - arrived Aug 1899

Christine Hart (granddaughter): John Hudson died in 1919 and left her almost destitute.   George Sharp was a friend of her husband and she must have married him on the rebound.    He had a house in Forest Road where they lived.   She had returned to Britain, I think to buy stock for her embryo business, and whilst she was away there was a fire and the house was completely destroyed.   George Sharp vanished with any insurance money he was able to collect and was never heard of again!