Abbott, Anne – Diva taught many Grantham children
Anne Abbott (1931-2013) Miss (Elizabeth) Anne Abbott, who lived for many years in Gladstone Terrace, Grantham, with her partner Alan Hubbard, was born at Eaton. She attended Cairn Holt…
Adamson, Eric – Knew all the right customs
Eric James Adamson (1919-2007) ERIC James Adamson was born at Liverpool and was educated at the Jesuit College of St Francis Xavier. His first job was with the Admiralty…
Akroyd-Stuart, Herbert – Beat Diesel to inventing the ‘diesel’ engine
Herbert Akroyd-Stuart (1864– 1927) ALTHOUGH he never lived here, Herbert probably had the biggest effect on Grantham’s economy than anyone. It was his invention, manufactured by local engineering company Richard Hornsby…
Alexander, Keith – Lincoln manager who played for Grantham
Keith Alexander (1958-2010) KEITH Alexander was a Saint Lucian footballer and manager, born in Nottingham. He was the manager of Lincoln City, Peterborough United and Macclesfield Town, in a…
Alexander, Mike – Grantham footballer became TV sports personality
Mike Alexander (1941- ) GRANTHAM Football Club has a long tradition of free-scoring centre forwards and one of the finest of them all was Mike Alexander. Originally on…
Allen, Bill – Somme survivor joined the Home Guard
William Walker Allen (1890-1956) William Walker Allen, of Inner Street, enlisted in the Army as an 18-year old mysteriously he was discharged six months later as unfit for military…
Allen, Henry – Retired railwayman became a publican
Henry Allen (1825-1911) BORN at Peterborough, Henry Allen was superintendent of the loco at Grantham for 27 years. He came to Grantham in 1858, only five years after the…
Allen, Mary (1878-1964) – Policewoman was a former jailbird
MARY Sophia Allen was a military-minded woman who was probably
Allitt, Beverly – Grantham’s Angel of Death
Beverly Allitt (1968- ) BEVERLY Gail Allitt, dubbed the Angel of Death by the national press, went on a killing spree at Grantham Hospital in the spring of 1991.…
Allport, Archibald – Postmaster preached for 58 Years
Archibald Allport, (1861-1939) BORN in America, Archibald John Allport arrived in the UK at Cheltenham as in infant, moving shortly afterwards with his family to Grantham. His early career…
Anderson, Oliver – Writer said Grantham was a Rotten Borough
AS a young journalist, Snitterby-born Oliver Anderson caused a scandal in Grantham with the publication of his first novel in the autumn of 1937. Rotten Borough, written under the…
Andrews, Christopher – Became one of Grantham’s most popular priests
Rev Canon Chris Andrews (B1947) THE Rev Canon Chris Andrews was appointed Vicar of St Wulfram’s (Rector of Grantham) in 1996 until his retirement in 2013. Born in pre-fab…
Angel, Noel – Brewers thought Noel was no Angel
Noel Angel (1928-2007) GRANTHAM-born Noel Angel attended Finkin Street Infants School and although he passed the 11-plus did not take up the opportunity to attend the King’s School. The…
Angeloni Albino – Prisoner of War settled in Grantham
Albino Leo Angeloni (1918 – 1986) Albino Angeloni was born in Brescia, Italy, and enlisted into the Italian Navy aged 17. His ship, the cruiser Colleoni was torpedoed in…
Angeloni Martin – likes darting all over
Martin Angeloni (b1953) Born in 1953 at Coxton Kerrial, Martin attended the village school school until the family moved to Grantham. Here, he went to sSt Anne’s, then to…
Angeloni, Frank – Frank was mad about cars
Franceso Elia Angeloni, (1948-2017) Franceso Elia Angeloni, better known as ‘Frank’ was born at Croxton Kerrial the son of former naval pow Albino and his wife Pamela. He went…
Appleby, Montague – Montague didn’t find cricket taxing
Montague Appleby (1881 – 1954) Montague William Appleby, was one the greatest all-rounders in the history of Grantham Cricket Club. As a bowler he was the taker of a…
Arbuthnot, Harriet – Best of friends with the Iron Duke
Harriet Arbuthnot (1793-1834) Harriet Arbuthnot was an early 19th-century English diarist, social observer and political hostess on behalf of the Tory party. During the 1820s she was the closest…
Arendzen, Leo – Artist who became a parish priest
Leo Arendzen, (1875 –1963) CANON Leo Arendzen – known as the Painter Priest – was parish priest at St Mary’s, Grantham, for 39 years. Born in Haarlem, Amsterdam, he…
Asher, Isaac – Blacksmith was an avid reader
Isaac Asher (1847-1928) ISAAC Asher was Great Gonerby’s village blacksmith for many years. Born in Green Street, he was known to be an avid reader. He served his apprenticeship…
Asher, Percy – Porter’s son became a top academic
Percy Asher (1900-1966) BORN in Rutland Street, the son of a railway porter, Percy attended St Anne’s and Boy’s Central schools. He left school at the age of…
Audus, Agnes – Mayoress worked hard for waifs and strays
Agnes Audus (1911-1999) AGNES Audus moved to Grantham from Yorkshire with her husband Leonard in 1942 when he was appointed secretary and general manager of Grantham Co-operative Society. They soon…
Audus, Leonard – Co-op boss left school at 12
In 1973 he received an OBE for his services to local government. He was the town’s last surviving alderman.
Ayscough, Hannah – Mother of a genius
Hannah Ayscough (1623-1679) HANNAH Ayscough is best known as the mother of Sir Isaac Newton. She was born in Market Overton in Rutland to James Ayscough and his wife…
Bacon, Vic – Gas man was on cue at the Con Club
Albert Victor Bacon (1910-1941) ALBERT ‘Vic’ Bacon was the son of Mr and Mrs H Bacon, of Elmer Street North. Educated at the National School he entered the employment men’s outfitter…
Baggaley, David – An endless stream of business ventures
David Baggaley (1944-2015) Born at Middle Farm, Valley Lane, Long Bennington, David Jeffrey Baggaley attended Long Bennington School until he was 14 when he went on to Springfield School,…
Bailey, John -Decorator was a poultry fancier
John William Bailey (1858-1936) John Bailey, a native of Grantham, was the son of the late Mr, John R. Bailey, whom he succeeded in the painting and decorating business…
Baily, Bob – Continued to serve church 30 years after retiring
Canon Robert Baily (1921 – 2016) Canon Robert Spencer Canning Baily was ordained priest in Salisbury Cathedral in 1945, at the age of 24. From then until 1969 he…
Baker, Ashley – became England goalkeeper
Ashley Baker (b1990) Ashley Lauren Baker is an English football goalkeeper who plays for Sky Blue FC, in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).. Born in Grantham, Lincoln Ladies announced that they had agreed to sign…
Baker, Kenny – Top trumpeter stationed at Grantham
Kenny Baker (1921-1999) Withernsea-born, Kenny Baker was an accomplished player of jazz trumpet, cornet and flugelhorn, and a composer. Baker joined a brass band and by the age of…
Ball, Albert – First air ace went to King’s School
King’s School old boy and WWI air ace Albert Ball, lodged in Avenue Road in the town while at school in Grantham in 1908 and 1909. He stayed at…
Bamford, Patrick – International footballer was born in Grantham
Patrick Bamford (b1993) FOOTBALLER Patrick Bamford was born in Grantham, and joined Nottingham Forest’s Academy as an eight-year-old after playing junior football for Muskham Cougars. He attended Nottingham High…
Bannister, Roger – Grantham detective became Assistant Chief Constable
Roger Bannister (b1969) BORN near Gainsborough, Roger Bannister was a pupil at the town’s Queen Elizabeth School. Only leaving, he went to work in retail management in London. In…
Barford, Edward – Factory boss had impressive war record
Edward Barford (1898-1979) EDWARD James Barford was the head of engineering company Aveling Barford. He was the grandson of the founder of Barford & Perkins, of Peterborough, pioneers in…
Barker, Frederic – King’s School old boy became Bishop of Sydney
He was controversial, an opponent of non-denominational education and, in a city where religious feeling ran high, of Roman Catholicism.
Barlow, Raymond Keith – Grantham man was the first airborne casualty of war
Keith Barlow (1892-1914) RAYMOND Keith Barlow has the unenviable distinction of being the first airman to die in wartime. He died on 11th August 1914, just one week after…
Barnard, Ray – League debut was marking a national legend
Raymond Barnard (1933-2017) Born in Middlesbrough, Raymond Scholey Barnard signed professional terms for his hometown club in 1950, making 118 appearances at right-back, 113 in the league and five…
Barnes, Dr Alan – Mathematics are his passion
Dr Alan Barnes (b1942) Alan Barnes was educated at the King’s School. He obtained a BSc in Pure and Applied Mathematics at Imperial College, London in 1968, and a…
Barnwell, John – Former town manager became managers’ boss
John Barnwell (b1938) BORN at High Heaton, Newcastle, John Barnwell was an England Youth International who began his career at Bishop Auckland, before making appearances for Arsenal, (plus winning…
Bartle, William – Converted ambulance to a bus
William Bartle (1873-1948) BORN in Harlaxton William Bartle, lived in Main Street until he married Mary Ann and moved first to Dudley Road the St Anne’s Street. A fitter,…
Basford, Robert Alexander (1881 – 1955)
Robert Alexander Basford (1881 – 1955) – founded Independent Labour Party Grantham-born, Robert Basford was an outstanding personality in both the local Labour Party and Trade Unions. He studied…
Bason, James – Head of Grantham school for 17 years
James Bason (1920-2013) James William Bason was headmaster of Belton Lane Primary School for 17 years. Born in Fakenham, Norfolk, he was the son of a station master and…
Bass, George – Mysterious disappearance of ship’s surgeon
George Bass (1771-1803) George Bass was a British naval surgeon and explorer of Australia. He was born at Aswarby, the son of a tenant farmer, George Bass, and a…
Bastaja, Nick – Made his name as an offensive guard
Nick Bastaja (b 1953) Nick Bastaja (born February 4, 1953 in Grantham, England) is a former professional Canadian football offensive lineman who played fourteen seasons in the Canadian Football…
Batchelor, Frank – Swimming Club stalwart
Frank Batchelor (1940-2017 FRANK Henry Batchelor was born in Waltham-on-the Wolds. He attended the local school before moving on to Belvoir High School at Bottesford. He became…
Bates, Doug – keen cyclist and keener angler
Doug Bates (1932-2001) THE son of Fred ‘Baggy’ Bates and his wife Ada, Douglas worked for his early years at his father’s shop on Wharf Road, which specialised in…
Bates, Terry – Manager of Grantham’s first leisure centre
Terry Bates (1938-2009) Terry Bates spent his school years in Morton, attending the primary school and then Bourne Grammar School. During his schooldays, he played cricket and football for…
Baumber, Jill – GP gave Grantham precious GIFTS
Jill Baumber (1941-2008) DONCASTER-born Jill Lester came to the Grantham area in 1973 after marrying pharmacist Noel Baumber. She moved with her family to Hamburg and Bremerhaven after the…
Baxter, Frank – Nearly 30 years on Grantham Town board
Frank Baxter (1908-1996) BORN at Irnham, sport played a big role in Frank Baxter’s life. The eldest of nine children, he began his career as a joiner on Irnham…
Baxter, Jim – Milkman in the morning, swept chimneys in the afternoon
James Oliver Baxter (1925 – 2012) JAMES Oliver Baxter was a pupil at Spitalgate Boys’ School, and although he passed his 11-plus had to stay on as his parents…
Baxter, Jim – Taken prisoner at Dunkirk
Jim Baxter (1915-1982) JAMES Robert Baxter was a master painter and decorator and a partner in the Grantham-based firm, Baxter Bros. He enjoyed cricket and was reputed never to…
Bee, Norman – Mayor died in office
Norman Bee (1912-1971) Councillor Norman Bee was born in Victoria Street, and was educated at Wharf Road School and the Boys Central when it was still behind the Guildhall.He…
Beech, Joe – Hitting all the right notes
Joe Beech (b1994) NOTTINGHAM-born Joseph Beech came to Grantham as a two-year-old, where most of his family already lived. While attending Cliffedale School (1998-2005) and The King’s School…
Beech, William – Musician in Royal Irish Hussars
William Beech (1849-1934) William Beech was born on 19 December 1849, in Middle Gonerby, the youngest boy of 10 children. Joined the Band of the Kings Royal Irish Hussars…
Beech, William – Musician joined the Army aged 11
Wiiliam Beech (1883-1941) WILLIAM Beech was one of Grantham’s foremost musicians. He was conductor of the Empire Theatre orchestra and was musical director of the Opera House, Buxton. Grantham-born,…
Beecroft, Albert – Constable who dealt with late drinkers in his own way
Albert Beecroft (1898-1979) BORN in Buckminster, Albert Beecroft joined the Grantham Borough Police in 1928 and became something of a legend. He was a respected member of the force…
Beecroft, Bryan – Slotted into the fruit machine business
Bryan Meredith Beecroft (1936-2010) THE son of a local policeman, Albert Beecroft, Bryan was educated at Huntingtower Primary School and then the Boys’ Central School. On leaving school at…
Beeden, Harry – Housing chairman had estate named after him
Harry Beeden MBE (1873-1941) BORN at Thorpe, near Newark, he was the grandson of William Beeden, a Freeman the Borough Grantham. He was educated at the Grantham National and…
Bell, Charles – Designed more than 60 chapels
Charles Bell (1846-1899) Charles Bell was a British architect who designed buildings in the United Kingdom, including over 60 Wesleyan Methodist chapels. Born in Grantham, he was educated…
Bell, Peter – Big influence on visual arts in north America
Peter Bell (1918 – 2015) Peter Bell was an artist, curator, and art critic who played an influential role in the development of the visual arts in Newfoundland and…
Bellamy, Alfred Rowe – Saved Grantham engineering giant
Alfred Bellamy MI Mech E (1862-1945) WHEN Alfred Rowe Bellamy died as Grantham’s last remaining Freeman of the Borough, the town owed him a debt it could never repay.…
Bellamy. Horace Francis – From biker to buyer
Horace Bellamy (1902-1977) CHIEF Buyer at Henry Bell & Co, was born at Langwith Colliery, Notinghamshire. The family moved to Grantham when his father got a job…
Bentley-Rudd, Samuel – The man who built Grantham’s mansions
Samuel Bentley-Rudd (1840-1922) MANY of Grantham’s most prestigious houses were built by Samuel Bentley-Rudd. Their usual hallmark is a half-timbered effect, such as Welby Gate, Shirley Croft and Norman…
Benton Jones, Sir Simon – Baronet played himself in US drama
Sir Simon Benton Jones (1941-2016) SIR Simon Warley Frederick Benton Jones, 4th Baronet, of Irnham Hall, Irnham, is the son of Sir Peter Fawcett Benton Jones, 3rd Bt…
Berardi, Antonio – Italy’s fashion guru was born in Grantham
FASHION designer Antonio Birardi has been compared to great talents Dolce and Gabbana, Alberta Ferretti and Emporio Armani. Born in Grantham Hospital
Bergara, Danny – Grantham boss was first South American, Football League manager
Danny Bergara (1942 – 2007) Daniel Alberto “Danny” Bergara de Medina was a Uruguayan footballer and manager who also managed Grantham Town. Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, Bergara began his…
Berridge, Willy – A life on Grantham’s rooftops
Willy Berridge (1945 – 2013) Mr William Frederick Berridge (Willy) was born in 1944, the son of Ada and Ted Berridge. He lived in and around Grantham all of…
