Posted on Sep 21, 2025
WILLIAM LOCKER (1731-1800) Locker lived in Went House, West Malling between 1783 and 1786. By the end of the Napoleonic wars it was said that “[The British] are lords of the sea, and neither in this dominion nor in world trade have they any rivals left to fear”, and for the first and last time in history a single navy possessed half the world’s warships. Many factors contributed to this, including money, the provisioning of ships, seasoned timber and coppering. Alongside these, a hugely important factor was the professionalization of ship’s crews – William Locker’s career epitomised this professionalization. Coming from an academic and cultured family, he entered the Navy at the age of 15, serving on various ships during the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-48), then with the East India Company after post-war decommissioning (sailing to India and China). He rejoined the Navy just before the Seven Years’ War (1757-63), and he was on board HMS Sapphire at the Battle of Quiberon Bay (1759). By 1777 he rose to command HMS Lowestoffe, sailing her to the West Indies. For a fifteen month period during this command Horatio Nelson was one of his lieutenants, and this proved to be the start of a lifelong friendship. Locker lived in Went House, West Malling between 1781 and 1786. He ended his career as Lieutenant-Governor of Greenwich Hospital and suggested the creation there of a national gallery of maritime art, subsequently realised by his son, Edward Hawke Locker. Nelson corresponded with Locker until the latter’s death, describing his naval actions, and famously wrote in 1799 (the Battle of the Nile took place in 1798): ‘I have been your scholar; it is you who taught me to board a Frenchman…’. Importantly, Locker also passed on his hydrography skills. Also, at his expense, Locker arranged for Nelson to sit for a portrait by JF Rigaud. In 1770 Locker married Lucy Parry (daughter of Admiral William Parry) at St Margaret, Addington and they lived at the Parry home of St Vincent’s, Addington. They moved to the parsonage house at East malling in 1776. After Lucy’s death giving birth to their seventh child in 1780, Locker moved to West Malling and it is likely that Nelson visited him here. He moved to Kensington in 1787 and when he died in 1800 he was buried in the Parry family vault in Addington churchyard. Confirming the high regard in which Locker was held in naval circles and years after his death, William IV (‘Sailor Bill’) who had served under him, described him as ‘the best man I ever knew’ Further reading: *Nelson’s Hero. The Story of his ‘Sea-Daddy’ Captain William Locker by Victor T Sharman *The Command of the Ocean. A Naval History of Britain 1649-1815 by NAM Rodger *Nelson – Love and Fame by Edgar Vincent *The Pursuit of Victory: the life and achievement of Horatio Nelson by Roger...
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Posted on Sep 21, 2025
‘Five Kings, One Queen, One Bishop, One Archbishop, and Two Traitorous Knights’ The group of buildings here on the corner of High Street and Swan Street is of national importance and has a remarkable documented history. Its relationship to the Norman abbey of West Malling has been revealed and there is much exciting research to be done. In 1066 William of Normandy acquired the throne of England by conquest at the Battle of Hastings. Initially the land was assessed, redistributed and reorganised, followed by an intense period of castle and monastery building. Many churches were enlarged, and Saxon landlords were replaced by landowners with Norman French names. In 1077 the famous military and ecclesiastical architect Gundulf was appointed Bishop of Rochester, and subsequently began building St Mary’s Abbey in West Malling, believed by some authorities to be sited on all or part of the site of a Saxon Monastery (according to information held by the nuns of Malling Abbey). He is also credited with starting the building of St Leonard’s Tower at the same time, and probably the unique Norman building to the rear of 67 High Street (Source – Memories of Malling and Its Valley, C.H.Fielding). The Ancient House, West Malling The Ancient House (also known locally as the Norman House) is at the rear of 67 High Street and is now attached to it, forming part of that property. Its east wall (pictured) can be seen from Swan Yard, just off Swan Street. It is a Grade 1 listed building and much more information on it can be found at: https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101292809-the-ancient-house-and-65-and-67-high-street-west-malling#.YRUMkM1Kipo It is of Norman origin (c.1080) with many later modifications. It was built outside the Abbey walls, but at the same time, and was probably ecclesiastical in purpose. It is built of ragstone, with tufa blocks where needed structurally. The bottom right-hand corner of the east wall is particularly interesting, and is shown enlarged below. Evidence of a semi-circular tufa arch indicates the top of a doorway, and a tufa impost block supporting the arch can be clearly seen. Normally the impost block would be at roughly shoulder height, indicating that the doorway most likely extends downwards to ground level at the time of building – about a metre below ground level in 2021. Starting with the first Abbess, named Avicia, the Abbey prospered, despite fire and plague, becoming one of the richest in England. In 1278 the Abbess claimed liberties granted by Henry III, including a market on Wednesdays and Saturdays together with ingfangtheif (the right to administer summary justice), granted by King John, and the right to hold fairs was granted by Henry III. The St Leonard’s Day Fair was still being held on November 17th until at least the end of the nineteenth century. West Malling Abbey (18th century) A market cross stood at the junction of Swan Street (then called Holyrode,...
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Posted on Sep 21, 2025
JOHN DOWNMAN (1750 – 1824) was a minor but prolific painter, primarily of portraits, carried out in pastels or watercolours, or a combination of these. His portrait style, rapid, bright and light, is instantly recognisable and became very popular with the aristocracy. Downman studied with Benjamin West after moving to London from Lancashire in 1767, and went to Italy with Wright of Derby and others in 1773/74, returning in 1775. He initially settled in Cambridge, where he was supported by the Mortlock family, local bankers, painting a series of portraits of the family. He was in London from 1778 to 1804 before moving to West Malling (which he refers to as “Town Malling”), where his brother, Lieut-Col Francis Downman was already living at Brome House. At Went House he enjoyed time in the garden, producing sketches of toads and robins which he had apparently tamed, and painting local personalities, including members of the Douce family into which his niece, Jane, had married; and the Larking family of Clare House, East Malling. After two years in West Malling he moved to live in the West Country, then London, Chester and Wrexham where his only daughter married and where he died. A list of his portraits reads like a Who’s Who of the period including: Queen Charlotte; Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire; Sarah Siddons; Horatio Nelson; Frederick The Great of Prussia; Richard Brinsley Sheridan; ‘Monk’ Lewis and so on. Further reading: *John Downman ARA by Dr Williamson (1907) *Dictionary of pastellists before 1800 by Neil Jeffares (updated 2010) More...
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Posted on Sep 21, 2025
WILLIE EMERSON DEDRICK was born in Snodland and died 18th March 1963 aged 77 years. His wife Doris Harriet died 2nd December 1981 aged 90 years. He was a scholar at Marlborough College and Managing Director of Snodland Paper Mill from 1919 to 1963. His father William was Managing Director before him and rebuilt the business following the disastrous fire of 1906 thus saving the livelihoods of many workers. Willie enabled the continued success of the business by links with The Times etc. A keen collector of art and antiques, he paid for the construction of windows in All Saints Snodland from Medieval fragments left after a bomb blast. A beautiful window commemorating him by Moira Forsyth was installed in the ancient All Saints Church Snodland in 1963 and a garden built near the High Street. More information on the window can be found in Snodland Museum. Willie Emerson Dedrick sat on the Bench at West Malling and was High Sheriff of Kent in 1952. The Office of High Sheriff is the oldest secular crown office. Originally the principal law officer, the role of Sheriff is now largely ceremonial. At the end of WW2 Mrs Dedrick ceremonially planted a flowering crab apple tree at the North end of the small green on which stand the Town Sign and the Statue “Hope”. It is possible that the tree also commemorates his nephew Richard William Pearson killed in HMS Hasty off Malta June 1942 aged 22 years. The tree is still living at the date of writing. Lord Abergavenny succeeded Willie as Chairman of Snodland Paper Mill 1963 and KJ Funnel, author of the book Snodland Paper Mill, became Managing Director. Andrew Ashbee, Curator of Snodland Museum says … William Dedrick (d.1920) and Willie Emerson Dedrick (d.1963) were, in their turn, Managing Directors of the Paper Mill. Both, too, served the church faithfully in many ways for many years. Some of the valuable glass destroyed in the war was salvaged and re-instated through the kindness of WE Dedrick at a cost of £200. This is now placed in the west windows of the aisles, both carrying the same inscription: “Damaged by enemy action 1941 and restored 1949 in memory of William Dedrick (1857-1920) of the Paper Mill and of his grandson Richard Pearson killed in HMS Hasty off Malta, June 1942.” In 1966 Mrs. Doris Dedrick gave a beautiful window in memory of her husband. Designed by Miss Moira Forsyth, ARCA, FMGP, it replaces the “Palmer window” which was destroyed. The inscription reads: “To the GLORY of GOD and in loving memory of WILLIE EMERSON DEDRICK J. P., Paper Maker, High Sheriff of Kent, 1952. 10th May 1885 – 18th March 1963.’’ The following description was provided when the window was dedicated: “The Church of All Saints is an ancient foundation and stands on the old Pilgrim’s Way. The window has been designed to commemorate these pilgrimages...
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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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