In May 2024, The Malling Society received an email from the Granddaughter of John and Alice Bates: Dear Malling Society, I am the granddaughter of Dr. J. V.…
Read more Dr John Vincent Bates MC MD of Wisteria HouseThe plaques you will find around West Malling commemorate but a few of our notable citizens, and their stories are not yet fully revealed. Further research and information…
Read more West Malling Blue PlaquesGladys Frances Miriam Wright Pioneer of Physical Education, founder of English Gymnastic Society, life-saving hero, competitive and long distance open water swimmer. Gladys Wright went from grocer’s assistant…
Read more Gladys Frances Miriam WrightRosalind was born in 1858, the daughter of Hon Rev Edward Vesey Bligh JP and Lady Isabel. See footnote. She married Cecil Vernon Wingfield-Stratford in 1881. He was…
Read more Rosalind Isabel Wingfield-StratfordSir THOMAS TWISDEN presided at the trials of the executioners of Charles I in 1660. Born 1602 at Roydon, East Peckham he attended Emmanuel College Cambridge in 1614. He…
Read more Sir Thomas TwisdenFRANCIS TRESS Children of West Malling have been educated on this site for over three hundred years. The plaque in this photograph is in St Mary’s Church. It…
Read more Francis TressPETER WOOLRIDGE TOWNSEND joined the Royal Air Force in 1933. He was one of three pilots that shot down the first enemy aircraft over England at the start of…
Read more Peter Woolridge TownsendWILLIAM PERFECT was probably born in Bicester in 1737. His father became vicar of East Malling in 1742. From 1756 the family was resident in West Malling High Street. …
Read more William PerfectGEORGE ORWELL was the pen name used by Eric Arthur Blair. He was born 25th June 1903 in Motihari in British India. His ancestral home there has been declared…
Read more George OrwellSILAS NORTON and his business partner Thomas Selby were solicitors and both from ancient Kentish families. Selby was part of a very ancient Kentish family of worldwide influence who…
Read more Silas Norton