Banstead History Research Group

Log of Updates to this site

Date	Icon	Page	Details of updates
03/11/2024		'Other'	Added a Poem about Banstead reminicences submitted by Peter Wells author of Banstead Urchins.
20/08/24		Home page	Added details of latest publication – The Post Card – True Life Stories from an Edwardian Banstead Photograph
04/10/2023		Home Page	Added details of latest publication Banstead History Residential School - Holiday to Sandown IOW
01/10/2023		Newsletters	Added log of newsletters and how to purchase them from here if you are not a member.
27/09/2023		Beechholme	Added information about new book
24/08/2023		COVID-19	Gary Walker updates his original story of the Coronavirus Pandemic in Banstead with part 13 of his detailed chronicle.
30/07/23		Memorial WWII casualties	Updated story for Maurice Owen Rees following new information and photos received from Richard Potter.
28/07/23		Events	Added details of the Woodmansterne Coffee Morning at St Peter’s Church Hall, - Thurs. 26th October 2023 10.00-12.00.
29/06/23		Events	Added details of the 2023 Banstead Rotary Village Fair
29/06/23		Beechholme	Add two requests for information about Bob and Violet Newman (1950s) and Belinda Williams (1960s).
09/03/23		Events	Added details of the 2023 Banstead Arts Festival talk
07/02/23		Beechholme Pre 1950	Group photo of the Monro Cup winners from Banstead Cottage Holmes. Metropolitan Poor Law Schools Athletics Association
08/12/22		Various	Updated many of the main pages with the new Banstead History identity following the amalgamation of the Banstead History Research Group and The Banstead History Centre earlier in the year.
07/12/22		Beechholme	Added a full list of children who were in residence at Beechholme, then known as the Kensington and Chelsea Dstrict School (KCDS), when the 1921 census was taken. This list has all the transcription errors corrected.
15/06/22		Event	Added details of Colin's Charity Event
27/03/2022		COVID-19	Gary Walker updates his original story of the Coronavirus Pandemic in Banstead with part six of his detailed chronicle.
25/02/2022		COVID-19	Gary Walker updates his original story of the Coronavirus Pandemic in Banstead with part five of his account
27/01/2022		Schools	Added details of a little known Burgh Heath school called St Hild (not Hilda).
29/12/2021		COVID-19	Gary Walker updates his original story of the Coronavirus Pandemic in Banstead with part four of his account
24/11/2021		Home	Added 2021 publications
15/11/2021		COVID-19	Gary Walker updates his original story of the Coronavirus Pandemic in Banstead
14/03/2021		Beechholme Pre 1950s	After a lot of searching Theresa established that James was her father and she would like to find out more about him. Can you help? Details here.
14/03/2021		Beechholme 1950s	Charlie has sent us his memories of living at Beechholme with his twin brother.
06/02/2021		Coronavirus	An article written by a resident for future generations. It documents the story of how the people of Banstead experienced the global pandemic.
1/02/2021		Memorial Feature	Numerous updates and reformatting of the men's stories on the War Memorial.
29/06/2020		Home	The search facilty on the page has been repositioned and the results will also include any matches in the Banstead Photo Archive.
30/05/2020		Beechholme 1950s	Memories of Jamil D Hatib who changed his name and went on to become a key member of a very famous group. He now lives in LasVegas. Read his story here.
02/03/2020		Beechholme 1960s	Add the story of Chris Cox's velvet collared jacket and how Auntie Jean saved the day. Kerria in the 1960s .
02/03/2020		Meetings Page	Updated with 2020 schedule
22 /11/2019		Beechholme	Added new feature to commemorate Ron Milton's 100th Birthday. Ron is believed to be the oldest Beechholme kid.
21/11//2019		Memorial Feature	Added new information and photographs to the story of Gunner Albert Jesse Wright.
27/09/2019		Home Page	Added details of Banstead Past on Glass 18 Oct 2019 event which also includes details of a three-week FREE exhibition in Sutton Library.
29/08/2019		Memorial	Added details about the last three unidentified men on the Banstead War Memorial. Henry William Roberts who was killed in a Handley-page heavy bomber crash in Moordown near Bournemouth. Albert Edward Stemp. We know who this man is but not why he is listed on the memorial. John Brown grandson of Sir John Brown at Redhall. Family lived at 70 Bolters Lane.
27 /01/2019		Fire Station	Amanda Heaton sent us details of her father 'Georgie' King shown in the Firemen's group photo. Geoprgie was one of the Motorcycle display team and Amanda recalls a couple of his impessive stunts with Triss Sharpe the 1928 World Champio Speed rider.
24/12/2018		Schools	Added more details about Greenacre School's original purchase and setting up.
20/12/2018 Date of latest update		WW1: 100 year commemorations	A section to record the stories of local men who fell in WW 1 and who are being commemorated by a service at All Saints Church Banstead, on the day in the current year which marks the 100th year of the anniversary of their death. Latest additions include the story of Nurse Muriel Spiers and Stanley Skelton
14 /10/2018		Home Page	Added details of Banstead in the Great War event
15 /05/2018		Beechholme 1960s	George King's Beechholme memories from Kerria in the 1960s .
15 /05/2018		Home	Added Latest Event and Privacy Policy
14/04/2018		Publications	Added two new publications on Burgh Heath and Tattenham Corner
29 /03/2018		Beechholme pre 1950s	Barbara W. writes about her Great Aunt Mags and siblings, Charles and Reuben Moore .
17/03/2018 Date of latest update		WW1: 100 year commemorations	A section to record the stories of local men who fell in WW 1 and who are being commemorated by a service at All Saints Church Banstead, on the day in the current year which marks the 100th year of the anniversary of their death. Latest additions are the stories of Frank Mitchel and William Viney (21 March 1918).
07/03/2018		Schools	Update to the 1956 (Mr Gould's class) Village school group photo sent in by Ian Morris. Added several students following contribution by Peter Wells.
02/02/2018		Schools	Update to the 1958 Village school group photo sent in by Ian Morris. Added Yvonne Latter and Diana Young. If you can identify any children do please let us know.
30/12/2017		Schools	Update to the 1956 and 1958 Village school sent in by Ian Morris. If you can identify any children do please let us know.
20/09/2017		Schools	Two new group photos from the Village school from the late 1950s from Ian Morris. If you can identify any children do please let us know.
01/03/2017		Beechholme 1950s	Memories of Pine and Miss Hoare from Dawn Bunce
21/01/2017		Publications	Updated the stories of many of the WWI casulaties listed on the Beechholme War Memorial. Most of the updates come from a review of Poor Law records.
05 /01/2017		Beechholme 1960s	Memories of Lime House to finding her family in Ireland by Margaret O'Neill, now updated with photographs from Margaret's childhood
17/12/2016		Publications	Added eight new publications for 2016
1 /09/ 2016		Beechholme Boer War	Numerous updates to many of the Ex Beechholme (then The Kensigton and Chelsea District school) men who were involved in the Boer War
27/04/2016		Beechholme	Thirty-eight men now researched on the Boer War panels and their stories can be found in this brand new section under Beechholme
1/03 2016		Beechholme 1960s	Denis Martin sent in his memories in response to Susan's recollections of her parents, Frank and Freda Gibbs.
27/02/2016		Beechholme 1960s	New photo and memories from Albert Akintibubo.
20/02/2016		Contact us	This page completely restyled and brought up to date.
17/02/2016		Memorial	Added new photograph and information on Henry Bartle Compton Arthur
13/02/2016		Beechholme	Added new section to record the stories of those men listed on the Beechholme Roll of Honour Panels as having taken part in the Boer War
11/01/2016		Meetings	Details of meetings and Events for 2016
30/04/2015		Home	Added next Event : Banstead Village Fair where BHRG have a stall.
21/04/2015		Home	Added details of next BHRG Illustrated Presentation on 15 May 2015.
09/03/2015		Places Windmill	Added a photograph of Banstead Windmill
09/03/2015		Beechholme Memorial	Added eighteen late 1950s Beechholme photos. They were contributed by the daughter of Connie Turner, a Housemother at Beechholme and show many of the young children in her charge.
08/11/2014		Beechholme Memorial	The research of the Banstead Cottage Homes (Beechholme) WW1 Roll of Honour has been completed and stories for over seventy men have been added to this website in time for Remembrance Sunday. .
20/04/2014		Fire Station	Added memoirs by Dorothy Frewer who worked at Banstead Fire Station during WWII.
20/04/2014		Beechholme Memorial	Added research for Thomas Owen, Robert George Harris, Arthur Samuel Gates and George Exell. See Roll of Honour.
19/04/2014		Beechholme	Request for information about the Gough siblings Frances, Peter, Frederick and Emily who lived at Beechholme during the 1930s.
18/04/2014		Beechholme	Request for information about the Ellis siblings Harry, George and Mary (twins) who lived at Beechholme during the 1930s and into the mid 1940s.
28/01/2014		Meetings Page	Updated with 2014 schedule
23/12/2013		Beechholme Pre 1950s	Added photo and text about Henry John Cooper who was in Beechholme at around the time of WWI. See Henry John Cooper.
15/11/2013		Beechholme Memorial	Added research for Stanley Thomas Holmes, Leslie Littlejohn, Albert James Stuckey and Walter Chalcroft (sometimes spelt Chalcraft) See Roll of Honour.
12/11//2013		Memorial Feature	Added new information and photograph to the story of Private George Hillier Powell, of the 1st battalion East Surrey Regiment, killed in action in France in April 1918.
14/10/2013		Beechholme	Kossy wants to contact his friends from Drake House.
14/10/2013		Beechholme	Alan Chapplewould like to find anyone who remembers him and his brothers and their friend Roger O'Gara.
08/10/2013		Beechholme	Memories from Sheila Law including her brother Eric and his friend Tony Lynham.
07/10/2013		Beechholme Memorial	Added research for John Mayor, Addie Codger, Charles cant, Frederick Irwin, Harry Irwin, Richard Couchman and Thomas Townsend. See Roll of Honour. NOTE: John Mayor is shown as John Major on some documents.
29/09/2013		Beechholme	Aileen Odey sent us "memories of Beechholme" from Nigeria where her father took her and her sister Eddu. They did not know they were not coming back and so never had a chance to say goodbye to all their friends.
29/06/2013		Schools	Jenny Rickman has identified nearly all the children in one of our Group photos Summer 1952 Class 3. If you can identify the last two or three, please let us know.
28/05/2013		Beechholme Memorial	Added a new record for William Brandon, a drummer with the 1st Manchesters Killed in Action at La Bassee, Givenchy. William was a Beechholme resident and later listed on the Schools's Roll of Honour
30/04/2013		Beechholme	Margaret Dyson sent us a photograph to accompany her father's memories described as an "Education for Life" at Beechholme in the early 1900s.
28/03/2013		Beechholme Memorial	Brand new project to research the men on the Beechholme Roll of Honour. At this time the men researched are: John Cave, Abbott, Allan Wolstein Applegarth, James Bannister, and Frank Barr.
19/03/2013		Beechholme	Updated story with photo showing Billy and Stephen, best mates from the 1950's when they met after 60 years. They were at Beechholme together in Pine Cottage.
3/03//2013		Memorial Feature	Updated item on George Stewart Brodie, crew member of Wellington X HZ474 QT-R in which he and three others, including James Croxall from Banstead, were killed. The navigator was the sole survivor.
20/02/2013		Memorial Page	Added a report on the unveiling of CWGC panels by HRH the Duke of Kent, at the Portsmouth Naval Memorial on 19 Feb 2013. The story on the panels links to Bertram Ives on the Banstead War Memorial.
15/02/2013		Home Page	Added next event (BAFS leaflet ) Talk and film show of 1930/40/50s films of Banstead Events. If you have any old cine film of Banstead or the local area, please see here.
12/02/2013		Information Wanted	Added the publications images on the Home page and add two new requests for information.
11/02/2013		Places Page	Updated the feature on the history of the bank in Banstead.
9/02/2013		Home Page	Added next event (BHC talk on Betchworth Castle) and improved look of home page. Please mail me if you find a problem. Thank you. LNW
30/1/2013		Home Page	More changes to update the look and feel of the site. Home page redesigned to give site a more up to date look. Please mail me if you find a problem. Thank you. LNW
17/1/2013		Members Area	Added a secure area for members only. Access can only be gained via a password.
11/01/2013		Beechholme	Read how Billy and Stephen, best mates from the 1950's were reunited by our professional genealogist, Christine Kent.
10/11//2012		Memorial Feature	Added new information and photographs to the story of Private Alfred Allen Pidgeon, who died on the first day of The battle of Passchendaele during WWI.
10/11//2012		Memorial Feature	Added new photograph of Harry Bates, who was killed on the first day of The Battle of the Somme – 1 July 1916.
5/11/2012		Beechholme Memorial	Added a report and photographs of the Dedication of the new Memorial Plaque at St Pauls Church, Nork. The stone replaces the Beechholme memorial which was demolished by builders in the 1970s, in preparation of the building of the High Beeches estate.
5/11/2012		Beechholme	Mary Bullough asks if anyone has any knowledge of Kathleen Miller of Beechholme in the 1930s or 1940s. Kathleen may well have been a houseparent before marrying a soldier in 1945.
5/11/2012		Beechholme	Linda Morey writes about her memories of Beechholme in the 1950s, including a boy called 'Professor Lawrence', and a local robbery.
24/08/2012		Beechholme	Derek Gribble writes about his granddad William 'Jay' Joiner who was an engineer at Beechholme for many years. Today's update includes a photograph of Jay.
14/08/2012		All Saints choir	Bill Parrett sent in a 1947 group photo of the choir and clergy at All Saints church Banstead.
13/08/2012		Beechholme	UPDATED Ida Waugh nee Beech sent us memories and photos of her time at Beechholme including a photo of "Laurel".
12/06/2012		Schools	Hazel Woodrow has let us have Four group photos from the Banstead Village School dating from about 1959 to 1963. We have NO NAMES so please take a look and if you recognise anyone, or even find yourself in the photograph, please let us know.
15/05/2012		Schools	Christine Fooks sent in more names for the children in the 1969 Junior school photograph. We still have a few missing. Take a look and if you recognise anyone, or even find yourself in the photograph, please let us know.
25/04/2012		Memorial Feature	Added more description, images and research to the section dedicated to the crew of Liberator KK241 which crashed in the Canadian mountains on 1 June 1945.
20/04/2012		Schools	Michael Funnell sent us two new Group photographs of children at the Village School taken in the summer of 1951 (class 5) and the summer of 1952 (class 3). Michael has provided many of the names but we have many missing. Take a look and if you recognise anyone, or even find yourself in the photograph, please let us know.
20/04//2012		Memorial Feature	Added new information and photograph to the story of Brig Gen Archie Stewart Buckle, who died during WWI. Archie has a memorial in Byfleet and the new information gives an intriguing clue to his connection with the place.
19/04//2012		Memorial Feature	Started a new section in memory of all the crew of Liberator KK241 which crashed in the Canadian mountains on 1 June 1945. Gordon Hammond from Banstead was one of the casualties. Eleven young men were killed, and this new section will be expanded as more information comes to light.
19/04/2012		Beechholme	Christine Connolly nee Flaherty wrote to us with memories of Drake Cottage and also sent in a couple of new images.
23/02//2012		Memorial Feature	Added new photo of Sqn Ldr A P Craigie DFC, pilot of Wellington X HZ474 QT-R in which he and three other crew members, including James Croxall from Banstead, were killed. The navigator was the sole survivor.
3/03/2012		Beechholme	Margaret Dyson sent us memories of her father's "Education for Life" experience at Beechholme in the early 1900s.
3/03/2012		Village School	Carole Moody nee Nash was able to provide us with several more names for the children shown in the 1960 Photo, Mr Jones Class.
23/02//2012		Memorial Feature	Created a new section to commemorate the crew of Wellington X HZ474 QT-R in which four of the crew including James Croxall from Banstead were killed. The navigator was the sole survivor.
9/02//2012		Memorial Feature	New information about the the Wellington bomber in which Sgt James Croxall was shot down as well new personal information received from James' 92-year old sister.
3/02/2012		Beechholme	Frank Burgess ex Beechholme boy found guilty of murder.
3/02/2012		Beechholme	Frank Heard supplied the names of Beechholme children shown in a group photograph . It was the Maple House contingent on holiday in Rhyl, in the 1950s.
2/02//2012		Memorial Feature	New information about the final flight of the Wellington Bomber in which Sgt James Croxall was killed. 'Jimmy' was just 22 years old.
3/01/2012		People	Peter Denton sent in memories of Derek McCulloch (Uncle Mac) who was a resident of Banstead and well known for his broadcasting of children's programmes on the BBC.
30/11/2011		Schools	Jenny Barnfield (nee Gregory) sent in additions to the list of students in the 1960 village school photo.
19/11/2011		People	Memories of Derek McCullock (Uncle Mac) sent in by Wendy Henningsson
8/11//2011		Memorial Feature	New photographs of Sergeant Cyril Duce of 129 Winkworth Road Banstead, killed in action whilst on a bombing mission with 144 Sqn in February 1942. Cyril was just 21 years old.
23/08/2011		Schools	Sally Rivett (nee duncan) sent in additions and corrections to the list of students in the 1954/5 village school photo.
18/08/2011		Memorial	Added numerous photographs of the contents of Bertram Ives' box as promised on page 232 of THESE MEN OF BANSTEAD.
22/07/2011		Schools	Penny Bowen nee Stephenson sent in memories of Greenacreand her recollections of her family in Banstead in the 1960s.
22/07/2011		Churches	Added a photograph of the interior of St Ann's RC Church, taken in 2005.
22/07/2011		Schools	Dick Tracy sent us a certificate awarded to Roger Teague of Banstead Hall, dated 1924 and signed by J S Maitland.
22/07/2011		Misc. Scouts	Brian Nibbs sent us photographs and memories of the 3rd Banstead Scouts from around 1950 . . . but who was the attractive Scout Mistress?
21/07/2011		Banstead URC	Susan Ryder nee Cheek spotted herself in our URC group photo from 1953 and has sent in memories of her childhood days.
21/07/2011		Beechholme	Expanded the information on applying for your personal care file from the London Metropolitan Archives.
20/07/2011		Beechholme	Roger Armstrong, ex Beechholme resident reports on the process of applying for his personal records and tells us what happened next after he left Beechholme.
20/07/2011		Home	Added a new WANTED request from the Banstead History Centre asking for memories and documents for use in their 2012 presentations.
19/07/2011		Fire Station	Fireman Francis 'Jack' Burrows identified in group photo. Read his story sent in by his daughter, Margaret.
19/07/2011		Beechholme	New information on Aunt Joyce sent in by Michael George. (click on link and scroll down to photo)
19/07/2011		Home	Added a new WANTED item on the home page after we were approached to source a photograph of Court Cottages by a local person willing to pay £100 for a pre 1908 photo.
19/07/2011		Beechholme	New contribution from Susan Gibbs daughter of Frank and Freda Gibbs, houseparents of Fir Cottage at Beechholme during the late 1950s.
18/07/2011		Beechholme	New story added to the Beechholme 1960s page. It documents the memories of an ex resident, one of three siblings at Beechholme between 1961 and 1969. They lived in Drake House with Eva Knights as houseparent.
18/07/2011		Beechholme	New story and photograph added to the Beechholme Pre 1950s page. It relates the events surrounding the Griffiths and the Smiths who were at the school during WWI.
17/07/2011		Home	Introduced the DID YOU KNOW . . . feature on the home page.
07/07/2011		Beechholme	65 year-old note book from Beechholme detailing a trip to the Isle of Wight in 1936
12/06//2011		Memorial Feature	Brand new portrait and story update for Sgt Cyril Duce of Winkworth Road Banstead, No.144 Squadron, killed in 1942 when his Handley Page Hampden bomber was shot down by a Messerschmitt Bf109. Click here
11/06/2011		Home	Yes its finally happened - I have had to update my own portrait on the home page! LNW
08/06/2011		Beechholme	Published a completely new format to split up the contributions which ran to 45 pages! The new layout shows memories from 1960s, 1950s, and Pre 1950. An empty Gallery page has been included and this will be populated over time.This is a yet more Work in Progress!
31/05/2011		Home	Added brand new Information wanted section in expandable form, redesigned the header and generally updated the top half of the home page - This is a Work in Progress!
20/04/2011		Publications	Added details of latest publication The Banstead Boy at Trafalgar
06/01/2011		Village School	Large group photograph identified as Miss Honer's class 4A 1958 here
25/12//2010		Memorial Feature	New information on Edward James (Jasper) Cross of Well House Banstead, a WWI casualty who died in March 1916. Click here
23/10/2010		Publications Home page	Added Surrey Mirror review of These Men of Banstead, as well as details of a second publication about . The first thirty years of the Banstead Arts Festival Society.
14/09/2010		Memorial Home page	News about this new publication which has now been published and is available from BHRG. For full details click here
28/07//2010		Memorial Feature	Brand new portrait of Peter Denys Parkes of 37 Squadron killed in 1944. Click here
30/06/2010		Churches	Carol Gilchrist nee Shuman added six more names to the photo of the 1953 Banstead Congregational Church group.
09/03/2010		Memorial WWI	New photograph and story of the battle at Salonika for Lt. A S Paterson killed in October 1918 in Greece.
09/03/2010		Beechholme feature	Latest Addition - FIVE new photos from Peter Farmer.
04/02/2010		Beechholme feature	New photographs added to Diana's story. Diana Lawrence was in Acacia, Beechholme in the 1960s.
01/02/2010		Houses feature	New picture of Bentley Lodge a large Victorian house previously on the site adjacent to The Horseshoe in Banstead.
24/01/2010		Beechholme feature	Detailed memories of Beechholme (Acacia) in the 1960s sent in by Diana Hipple nee Lawrence.
24/01/2010		People	New photograph from 1902 of Henry Knibbs headmaster of the Village school sent in by Don Knibbs.
20/01/2010		Memorial WWI	New photograph of Brigadier General Archie Stewart Buckle from WW1.
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