Extracts from “The First Day on the Somme” by Martin Middlebrook, 1971) Also from his great-grandson, Henry Reid, Et. Al. Another member of staff, Robert Gooch suggested to Leo that he might find a niche for himself in the new sport of Greyhound Racing and persuaded him to apply for the post of Greyhound Editor of the Star, a position he held for twenty years under the pseudonym ‘Leveret’. In amongst all this, Leo still found time to judge occasionally, breed and show several types of dogs and contribute feature articles to the doggy press, primarily to Our Dogs as well as secretaryship of the Wembley Society, in conjunction with which he organised a National Dog Tournament in September, 1935. Campbell, Sir Malcolm. World Land & water speed record holder. Born Chislehurst March 11, 1885, where his father William (born 1846 in St Pancras) was a “Jeweller, Gold” in 1891. In 1901 Malcolm was at a boarding school at Uppingham, Rutland. Later he lived in Hookwood then Headly then moved to Gatton in 1946 and died there in 1948.

Desoutter, Marcel. Born London 1894. His father was Louis, a watchmaker & jeweller, born in France, his mother was Philomen?, also born in France according to the 1901 census when the family were living at 1 Maddox Square, in the Parish of St. George, Hanover Sq. London. This is a very silly book, even more so than Horvath's first about the bunnies, "Mr. and Mrs. Bunny - Detectives Extraordinaire!" This time Mrs. Bunny develops a burning desire to be queen, so they're off to England to somehow make that happen. What a coincidence! Madeline's parents have received word that they've inherited a candy shop, so Madeline, her parents, and her friend Katherine are also sailing to England. They plan to run the shop just long enough to make the money necessary for Madeline's mom to buy a 30-acre plot of land on which to grow organic vegetables. The people and rabbits meet up on the ship where Madeline rescues her furry friends from being thrown overboard. And late in the book, the rabbits return the favor by solving the problem of Madeline's nonexistent college fund. He served with an infantry division until the final surrender of the German war machine. In spite of everything, Danny enjoyed his days in the army and the many experiences shared with his comrades brought them very close. He loved to reminisce about his army days with hilarious tales of the exploits of himself and his friends, so much so that his family grew to know all the stories off by heart. After leaving school Derek eventually became a sub-editor of the Champion group of papers as well as writing some of the Colwyn Dane detective stories. After serving 6 years in the Royal Signals Corps overseas during WW2 he wrote a number of children’s short stories and in 1952 he became editor of Champion when the successful adventure comic “Lion” was launched. In 1954 a companion sports comic called “Tiger” was conceived and Derek took over the writing of the famous strip of the day “Roy of the Rovers”, supposedly based on Bobby Charlton’s ability on the football pitch. In 1963 he was in charge of 5 different annuals: Lion, Tiger, Valiant, Buster and Look and Learn books for Boys”.Blunden Shadbolt had qualified both as an Architect and a Structural Engineer, so that during WWII, his time was almost entirely taken up in London where he was advising on the structural repair or demolition of buildings damaged by bombing, and when the war ended in 1945, he finally retired.

Stedall, Henry. It is believed that Henry Stedall came from Godstone in 1715 when his mother died. She was the owner of “Bolters” (now the “Chequers” in Horley). At that time it was probably little more than and alehouse part of which remains today as the “Chequers Bar”. Henry probably inherited the establishment and owned it until he died in 1753. Again it is not certain whether he came to Horley to live there as he also owned property at Gibells that is known to have been part of today’s “Fishers Farm” off Limes Avenue, so he could have resided there as the licence was let to a Thomas Holder. Henry’s influence on Horley’s history came about around 1722 when he decided to change: the name from “Bolters” to the “Chequers”, a name that remained for about 300 years. The reason for this change can only be surmised. For example: Long before this period the De Warenne family who owned Reigate was granted a warrant that gave them a monopoly to issue ale house licenses. Their family crest consisted of a chequered type shield. According to the Horley Tithe Apportionment 1846, he owned vast amounts of land in the Horley area including, the land where Albert Road, Southlands Avenue and Crawley Sewage Works are built, also much of Meath Green area and Nutley Deane Farm. [Henry Smith’s and Lord Amherst’s estates: enabling the trustees of Henry Smith to accept a rentcharge out of property belonging to Lord Amherst at Horley (Surrey), in exchange for land at Sevenoaks (Kent). Dated 1793] (Wikipedia et al. )Burbridge, George. (2) Born Horley c 1894. (son of George Burbridge 1) Corn chandler with a shop in Victoria Road and a yard in the railway goods yard. The Burbridges were also land owners. Marcel soon became instrumental in obtaining the finance and planning for the new airport with its advanced circular terminal building known as the “Beehive” that remains there today as a listed building. It was opened on 6 June 1936. In 1946 he returned to civilian life and in 1947 opened a practice at “Carlton” Bonehurst Rd. Horley. After this, he built up a flourishing surgery in Massetts Road, Horley, and only retired at the age of seventy-six, when his daughter, Nikolia, took over. Maple, John. John (born 1815 in Thakenham, Sussex, died? March 1890 and buried at Highgate Cemetery) was an apprentice to James Constable who owned the Stores at Horley Mill in Mill Lane. He married Emily Blundell who was governess to the miller, Charles Constable’s daughters. In 1841 with James Cook, he was running a drapery, upholstery and furnishing business in Tottenham Court Road, Marylebone, London. Shortly afterwards he appears to have taken over the business. His son was Sir John Blundell Maple M. P. who became a man of wealth owning, in addition to his father’s Stores in London, he owned much land in Horley, he also paid for the building of the Horley & District Constitutional Club. Also he helped to enlarge Salfords Church. Brown, William. A vicar of Horley Church for 52 years. He was inducted in 1561. He died 14th November, 1613 aged 80. His wife was Magdalena, and they had sons, Joseph, and Benjamin, and daughters, Phoebe and Sara. Joseph became rector of Rusper and Benjamin vicar of Ifield. William Brown owned Russell’s Farm from which Russell Crescent takes its name. He was also left Rowels Farm (which is where Crawley Sewerage Works is now) and other lands in the Horley area.

Batchellor, William Henry. Born in Horley c 1862. In 1871 William was working as a draper’s assistant in a large shop in Eastbourne. In 1891 he was a grocer, draper, furnisher they also made blankets, furniture and boots & shoes as well as undertakers with a shop in Station Road on the corner of Station Approach in 1901. Monson supported Parliament during the civil wars, serving on the county committee for Surrey during the First Civil War, and defending Reigate Castle against the Earl of Holland’s Royalist uprising during the Second Civil War. In January 1649, Monson was appointed to the High Court of Justice. He attended the opening sessions of the King’s trial, but withdrew from the proceedings and did not sign the death warrant. Phyllis E Mudford was born in Wallington, Surrey in August 1905 and died in January 2006. After marrying Maurice King they lived at Merstham before they came to Oak Lea, Meath Green Lane in 1944 where she lived for the rest of her life. Maurice died in 1959. For years after many Horley residents and others from elsewhere enquired about the cheerful chappy who slept under tree. Baker, George. George was in partnership with his brother Arthur, (above). They were surveyors and valuers and had an estate office in the store building in the High Street. Later they had their office in the new building on the corner of Massetts Road and Victoria Road (charity shop). They also ran the Horley Market in Smallfield Road.Great quote from p. 9: "This was the same school of thought that came up with the idea that when children read books, they should summarize each chapter when they were finished with it. Nothing had done so much to kill a generation's love of reading." Apps, George. (1) Born Burstow c 1871. He became a steam tractor driver and lived at Ringley Oak Farm, where the Town’s annual sports meetings were held. (2) His son, George, born Horley 1894 was also a Coal Merchant who operated from Horley Railway Yard and had an office in the High Street.(3) His son Anthony George, Lived at Charlwood, where he built the coal yard, and had offices all over Surrey. Early in 1990 he joined Horley Local History Society and became co-author of two notable publications, one on “Horley in Wartime” and another on the history of the “Chequers”.

Notes: Furnace Withy; on its formation the company owned 18 vessels and they took over several other companies and by 1916 they owned 215 ships, and over the subsequent years the group has owned in excess of a thousand ships. At times during the company’s history the total owned fleet was one of the largest in the world. First, Webber applied to the War Office, offering to serve ‘in any capacity’ but his offer was rejected. Next, he recruited a company of ‘Rough riders’ fellow-horsemen like himself and offered this unit complete to the Army, but again he was rejected. He never gave up and, possibly to rid themselves of this persistent old gentleman, the War Office eventually gave him a commission. After a very short training period, Henry Webber went to France as a battalion transport officer at the ripe old age of sixty-seven, a remarkable achievement for perseverance. Burberry, William. A yeoman. He lived in Harrowsley Manor Farm from 1660, married to Eleanor Shoe on 22 September 1658 in Horley, Died 1684. William was an ancestor of Thomas Burberry the founder of the clothing chain. He was educated at a Boy’s School in Karlshamm, Blekinge, Sweden, then University of Lund in Agriculture at Trelleborg. Sweden

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In 1898, Blunden, moved with his mother and two elder sisters from Sudbury, Suffolk to Horley in Surrey where he was articled to architect and surveyor, Arthur Kelway Bamber, who had recently moved to Horley from Chelmsford. However, having become disenchanted with architecture, Bamber left Horley in the following year, later becoming an expert in the field of cement. Abandoned by Bamber, Blunden was forced to travel to London to complete his training with George A. Hall, a Fellow of the British Institute of Architects whose office was in Victoria Street, London. By the end of 1899, he had returned to Horley ready to accept commissions and by 1901, he had completed work on several houses, the designs of which were typical of the period. Mallinson, Edgar. Born in Westminster c1896. Lived in Albert Rd. 1901. His father was a house decorator. His brother Thomas started by selling papers at station newsagent, shop in Station Road. Changed name of shop during WW2 from “Mallinson of Horley” to “Mallinson of Britain” Stapley, Thomas. Thomas born in Herstmonceaux, Sussex c1849 was a grocer & draper living with his family in Albion House, Station Road in 1901. His wife was Mary Jane Avery. Thomas’ son George had a business at Grosvenor House in Station Road and his other son, Aubrey ran a gentlemen’s outfitter shop also in Station Road (now known as High Street.) September 30, 1909, he married his secretary! Miss Emma Louise Pearce, daughter of William and Emma Pearce (1885 – 1978) of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.