Joe and May HOPPER – ’50 Wonderful Years’
The following is an article originally printed in the Dover Express & East Kent News on Friday 16th July, 1976. It was at her brother’s wedding reception that May Groombridge first met the man who was to be her husband.  The reception was at her parents’ home, and Joe Hopper arrived – in his cricket flannels!  He had been playing cricket …
Whitfield within living memory (part 2) by Daphne Argent
The following article was written by Daphne Argent, and was published in the February 1999 issue of the magazine ‘Bygone Kent’. It follows on from ‘Whitfield within living memory (Part 1)’. Whitfield, near Dover, was a rural community, with much employment being on the land. Agriculture does not allow for set finishing times or holidays and so for many people …
Able Seaman Edward Willis …at the Battle of Trafalgar?
Edward WILLIS (abt 1778 – 1854) – Possibly the same Edward Willis listed as being present at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805, fighting under the command of Admiral Lord Nelson. Edward was aged 27 and an Able Seaman on board the HMS Dreadnought, although the records show he was born in Faversham. I have been unable to …
Rosalind Thorne (1890-?) – nanny to a Flying Ace
Rosalind THORNE (b1890) – Rosalind (‘Sis’) was a nanny to the Ball family in Highbury Vale, Nottingham and Nanny to Albert Ball, who went on to be one of Britain’s First War fighter ace, receiving the VC before being killed in combat.