Geoffrey Pittock-Buss was born in Croydon in 1919, the son of civil servant James John Adam Pittock-Buss (1885–1962) and Marion May Battishall (1881–1961), who was a professional singer. He attended Whitgift School in South Croydon between 1931-35, before starting a career in journalism and publishing.
He set up the New Vision Publishing Company and in 1944 published Vera Brittain’s “Seeds of Chaos: What Mass Bombing Really Means” for the Bombing Restriction Committee. He edited or worked on local newspapers in Kent and south London as well as The Illustrated London News.
He married Ilse Eva Gross in March 1941, below is their married entry in the Bromley & District Times. It seems that their married did not last very long, with both re-marrying later in that decade.
It also appears that at some point Geoffrey Pittock-Buss changed his name to Howard Kent, and became an advocate for Yoga, creating a number of TV shows and writing numerous books on thesubject. Howard Kent (Geoffrey Pittock-Buss) died on 15 February 2005 aged 85.
Weddings
Refugee Bride
Mr G. Pittock-Buss and Miss Gross
Mr Geoffrey Pittock-Buss, younger son of Mr and Mrs J. J. Pittock-Buss, of 50 Langley Way, West Wickham, was married at West Wickham Parish Church on Saturday to Miss Ilse Eva Gross, younger daughter of Mr and Mrs Karl Gross.
Miss Gross is a refugee from Nazi oppression. She left Germany shortly after Hitler’s accession to power, and after three years in Switzerland came to England over two and a half years ago. She has been living in Wickham since.
Many friends of the bride and bridegroom attended the ceremony, which was performed by the Rev. H.K. Percival Smith, B.A., Vicar of St. Mary of Nazareth Church, West Wickham.
The bride, who was escorted by the Rev. Vincent Long, Minister of Elmers End Free Church, wore a pink dress, trimmed with navy blue, with navy hat and accessories. She carried a Prayer Book.
Mr A. J. Pittock-Buss, brother of the bridegroom, was best man.
Afterwards a reception was held at 50 Langley Way, and later Mr an Mrs G Pittock-Buss left for Northwood, Middlesex. They are to live in West Wickham.
Mr G. Pittock-Buss is editor and proprietor of “New Vision,” an international youth review.
Sources:
Bromley & District Times, March 1941
Howard Kent, Everybody Wiki
Articles on Howard Kent, Old Whitgiftian News – 2019, pages 23-24
