Florence Desmond

Florence Desmond (31 May 1905 - 16 January 1993) was the stage name of Florence Dawson, an English actress, comedienne and impersonator.

Born In London in 1905, Desmond was educated at the Dame Alice Owen's School, Islington. Her brother Fred Desmond was a comedy acrobat from the "Desmond and Marks" double act.

She began her stage career at age 10. Upon leaving school in 1920, she embarked on a long and successful career in the theatre, especially as an impersonator of famous stars. She appeared extensively in radio, theatre and occasionally in the cinema. She died in Guildford, Surrey in 1993 aged 87, where a Ward was named for her at St.Luke's Hospital.

She was married twice, first to the aviator Tom Campbell Black from 1935–1936, then to aviator and insurance broker Charles Hughesdon from 1937 who she lived with at Dunsborough Park House in Ripley, Surrey.