Posted on Sep 21, 2025
The Rt. Hon. CHARLES KENNETH DAIN C.B.E. (centre of picture) and his wife bought 58 and 56 Town Hill in 1923, this being one property. It was their home until 1956. Before retirement he was Treasurer of Uganda at Entebbe, President of the Tender Board and Controller of Savings. He was awarded a C.B.E. in 1927. He was responsible for advising the British Government on all financial matters related to the British Protectorate of Uganda. After independence, Dictator Idi Amin expelled 60,000 Asians. Many thousands of people were killed in ethnic cleansing. West Malling housed many Ugandan Asians. Town Hill Cottage 58 and Top Hill House 56, Town Hill are Grade 2 Listed Buildings. Town Hill Cottage (No 58) was originally a detached, 16th century half-hipped house, of earlier origin with considerable surrounding land and outbuildings. In the late 18th century Top Hill House (No 56) was built as an extension to No 58 by the Martin family. Circa 1900 the property was bought by the Nevill (Earl Abergavenny) family becoming part of their Lantern Estate opposite, with Lady Agnew in residence until c.1920. Dain and his wife bought 58 and 56 Town Hill in 1923 this being one property. It was their home until 1956. The Hon. Dain, before retirement, was Treasurer, Controller of Savings and President of the Tender Board of Uganda at Entebbe. Responsibilities included the acquisition and disposal of Government assets. He was awarded a CBE in 1927. JH Speke explored Uganda in 1862 it came under British Protection in 1894. Competing factions were eventually stabilised by skilful diplomacy, successful social improvements and a new Maxim Gun. The white population in 1909 was 507 with 3000 mainly British Asians. Native peoples comprised mainly three ethnic groups. The native states had home rule. Good roads, a railway, schools and medical facilities were built. An agricultural economy was successfully developed. From 1904 cotton was grown by the native peoples and processed by Indians. In 1958 Internal self-government was established, and in 1962 Uganda was given independence with Milton Obote as Prime Minister. In 1971 Milton Obote, then president, was toppled by a military Coup led by Dictator Idi Amin. In 1972 Amin ordered 60,000 Asians to leave. During the violent ethnic cleansing and Africanisation many thousands of people died. Many Ugandan Asians came to Britain. A large group were housed in West Malling on the site of the Old Workhouse. Town Hill Cottage 58 and Top Hill House 56 Town Hill. Grade 2 Listed Buildings. Town Hill Cottage (No 58) was originally a detached, 16th century. half-hipped house of earlier origin with considerable surrounding land and outbuildings. In 1789 Edward Martin and his French wife bought the house and land from Alexander Puxty who inherited from his grandfather (also called Alexander Puxty). The Martin family had leased it for a considerable time. Prior to this, records show ownership by Staples...
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Posted on Sep 21, 2025
JOHN CUNNINGHAM was born in the middle of World War I and joined the Royal Air Force in 1935. He flew many types of aircraft and became known as a test pilot. In 1940 when he was flying Bristol Blenheims, his squadron took up night flying activities, and developed the use of the new airborne radar. In September of that year, he became a Squadron Leader, and two years later a Wing Commander. Whilst flying night fighters, his squadron shot down twice the number of enemy aircraft as any other. In order to keep the advent of radar secret, the story was told that this was due to a diet of carrots to improve his night vision. This led to him becoming known as “Cats Eyes” – and it also helped to promote the value of vegetables in the diet of a population of a country at war. In 1943 he continued night flying in command of 85 Squadron based at West Malling. Douce’s Manor was used as accommodation, and also served as the headquarters for RAF West Malling and the officers’ mess. After the war Cunningham continued flying as a test pilot and flew the world’s first jet airliner, the Comet. He never married and retired in 1980. Also stationed at RAF West Malling between April and December 1941 was Guy Gibson, then acting Squadron Leader of 29 squadron of Bristol Beaufighters. Later Wing Commander Gibson went on to lead the famous Dam Busters raid in 1943 for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest military award for bravery. For more information, click here. ...
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Posted on Sep 21, 2025
THE BEATLES are generally recognised as comprising John Lennon (1940 – 1980), Paul McCartney (1942 – ), George Harrison (1943 – 2001) and Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey, 1940 – ). The rock band was formed in 1960, although the individuals started playing skiffle in the late fifties. The original line-up did not include Starr, who joined in 1962. The Beatles continued as one of the foremost rock bands in the world until their break up which started in 1970. During their existence they published 12 albums in the UK and the Magical Mystery Tour in America. In 1970 their song Let it be won an Oscar for the best original song score. Amongst their many other awards were 15 Ivor Novello awards. As well as being an album, the Magical Mystery Tour was also released as a 52 minute film. It was first shown on BBC1 on 26 December 1967 and was largely filmed at West Malling airfield, at the time a de-commissioned RAF airfield and now Kings Hill. Shortly after the beginning of the film, Ringo Starr went into a newsagent and bought tickets for the Magical Mystery Tour for himself and his “Aunt Jessie” from John Lennon. That newsagent was the Town Newsagency, then at 90 High Street, West Malling. For more information, click here....
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Posted on Sep 21, 2025
Ellen Esther HILL was born in 1867 and married Fred BARTON in 1891. Living with his widowed mother in West Malling, Freda and her husband moved to Hadlow in 1893 and became interested in professional photography. In 1903 she became a firm friend of the notable London photographer, Henry Snowden WARD. An early member of the Royal Photographic Society, he was her mentor and instrumental in the improvement of her photography. Between 1898-1905, Freda took many photographs of her family and friends, and in the Hadlow area. Being in demand and needing a larger property to work from, she moved, with her husband and three sons, to this house in 1905 which they rented. She set herself up as a commercial photographer under the name of Mrs Fred BARTON until her husband died in 1927, then as Freda BARTON Photographer until her death in 1940. Her photographs include local gentry, their houses and a wide variety of subjects of exceptional quality in and around West Malling. The Freda Barton Collection is one of the very best portfolios of commercial photographs between the late 1890’s and late 1930’s providing a record of the social history of West MaIling for future generations. For more information,...
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