Rolfe, Mel – His life was not Fawlty
Mervyn Rolfe (c1936 – 2022) Mervyn (Mel) Rolfe lived most of his life in rural England, including twenty years in Buckinghamshire. In the RAF for two years’ National Service,…
Round, John – Decorator was a charity fund raiser
John Kelvin Round, (1949-2013) BORN in Grantham, John Round attended Belton Lane Primary School and the Boys’ Central School. He met his wife, Jean, at Grantham College and…
Roundtree, Clay – clergyman is a cool guitarist
Rev James Clabern Roundtree The Revd Clay Roundtree Clay was born and raised in Oklahoma, and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, with a BA in Fine…
Rowlett, Wade – Liked to wade in with a mike
Wade Rowlett (1970 – 2023) ALTHOUGH born in Plymouth, Wade Rowlett has spent most of his life in the Grantham area. He grew up in Syston, was educated at…
Royce, Annie – Young headteacher was pioneer suffragette
Annie Royce (1885-1954) BORN in Sproxton, Annie Mary Royce became a respected teacher in Grantham, but not before she had distinguished herself as one of the first suffragettes. At…
Ryder, Dudley – “His manners were decidedly unfriendly”
Dudley Ryder (1762-1847) DUDLEY Ryder, 1st Earl of Harrowby was a prominent British politician of the Pittite faction and the Tory party. Born in London, Ryder was the eldest…
Ryder, Dudley – Died just before his title was conferred
Dudley Ryder (1691-1756) DUDLEY Ryder should have been the 1st Baron Harrowby. The son of a draper, he studied at a dissenting academy in Hackney and the University of…
Ryder, Dudley – Grantham’s last Lord Harrowby
Dudley Ryder (1831-1900) DUDLEY Ryder married Lady Mary, daughter of Brownlow Cecil, 2nd Marquess of Exeter, in 1861. The marriage was childless. Harrowby died aged 69, and was succeeded by…
Ryder, Dudley – Many Grantham streets named after him and his family
Dudley Ryder (1798-1882) DUDLEY Ryder, 2nd Earl of Harrowby KG, PC, FRS (styled Viscount Sandon between 1809 and 1847), was a British politician. He held office under Lord Palmerston…
Ryder, Nathaniel – Has a Grantham pub named after him
Nathaniel Ryder (1735-1803) NATHANIEL Ryder was the first 1st Baron Harrowby and was both a peer and Member of Parliament. He was the son of Sir Dudley Ryder, Lord…
Sale, Albert – A life of music
Albert Sale (1920-2014) BORN in Burton-on-Trent, Albert moved to Grantham with his parents as a four-year-old. He went to Spittlegate School followed by the Boys’ Central School and on…
Salvin, Anthony – Designed many stately homes
Salvin considered his most important early domestic work was building Harlaxton Manor for Gregory Gregory in the 1840s.
Sanders, Harry – Uncle Harry put the fun into Grantham
He came to Grantham in 1937 as manager of the State cinema, St Peter’s Hill which later became the Granada, retiring in 1963. It is hard to overstate the…
Scoffin, Richard – Killer loco at victim’s funeral
Scoffin, Richard (1870-1914) Richard Scoffin, who lived at 124 Alexandra Road, was an inspector employed by the Great Northern Railway Company. He was with the Company for more than…
Scott, Malcolm – Was editor of Grantham Journal
Malcolm Scott (1935-2018) The son of a Methodist minister, Malcolm Scott, began his distinguished career as a ‘cub’ reporter at the Lincolnshire Free Press and Spalding Guardian in the…
Sellars, John – founder of a local football club
John William Sellars (1917 – 1995) Born in Gateshead, John moved to Grantham in 1940 to work for the Ministry of Aircraft Production, later known as BMARCo. Before that…
Sewell, Ben – Grantham teacher was cricket mad
Ben Sewell (1906-1980) THE son of a Westgate Barber, V E Sewell, was deputy head of the Boys Central School. He was known throughout his life as ‘Ben’. Christened…
Sharpe, Charles – Lincs Regiment soldier won VC
Shadder, as he was known, won his VC for gallant action at Rouges Banco on May 9, 1915, when he virtually single-handedly rescued
Sharpe, Paul – The Wizard of Wonder was bred in Grantham
Paul W Sharpe (b1968) PAUL Sharpe was born in Skegness but moved to Grantham when he was five. He went first to Little Gonerby School, then The National School…
Sharpe, William – Union secretary was Grantham Mayor
Ald William Edward Sharpe (1879-1943) Alderman Sharpe was born at Brothertoft, near Boston, and was taken to live at Nottingham when he was only two years old. He was…
Sharrock, Becci – Writer in Residence at Beamish Museum
Becci Sharrock (b1983) Becci was born at Grantham Hospital and grew up in Belton Lane. She went to Little Gonerby School, National School and KGGS. Surprisingly, she didn’t attend…
Shaw, Alan Louis – Killed by an unlucky ricochet
Alan Louis Shaw (1884 -1915) ALAN Shaw was the son of Alexander Shaw, owner of the tannery alongside the Grantham Canal, near the gasworks. He went to King’s School…
Shaw, Barry – Football manager was in for the high jump
Barry Shaw (b1950) Although he played soccer for both of his schools, the National and St Wulfram’s, he had other pursuits on his mind. He enjoyed athletics, was a…
Shaw, John – Policeman took to the stage
A FORMER police inspector John Shaw will be remembered for being a larger than life character. ohn Shaw, of High Road, Barrowby, was a familiar face around Grantham and…
Shaw, Phoebe – was a landlady at Grantham pubs
Coral Phoebe Shaw (1933-2019) Born in Chingford, Essex, she met her husband-to-be Geoff at Lincoln and the couple married in 1954. She had worked at the London Stock Exchange,…
Shaw, Stanley – Was killed on the same day his brother died of his wounds
Stanley Shaw, (1887 -1915) Together with two brothers, Alan and Arthur, were among the first to volunteer their services on the outbreak of hostilities in the First World War.…
Shelbourne, Terry – A master of his art
Terry Shelbourne (1930 – 2021) BORN in Agnes Terrace, Terence John Shelbourne has always had a flair for art. It wasn’t inherited. His father, Frederick, was an engineer at…
Shields, Simon – Keen angler followed in grandfather’s footsteps
Simon Shields (1971-2008) Simon Gregory Shields was born in Grantham and attended Belton Lane School and St Hugh’s School, where he acheived both bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh awards.…
Short, Harold – Harold was recruited to run iconic pub
Harold Short (1930-2005) HAROLD Short was born at Great Ponton on November 5th and died on his birthday some 75 years later. His wife Betty died four weeks later.…
Short, Walter – Wally was a master of the oche
Walter Short (1928-1954) “WALLY” Short, who lived at Uplands Drive, was a keen darts player, turning out for the Lord Nelson and Railway Tavern teams. A pupil at Spittlegate…
Shrapnel, Norman – King’s old boy became a top journalist
Norman Shrapnel (1912-2004) NORMAN Shrapnel was an English journalist, author, and parliamentary correspondent. Born in Grimsby, he was educated at The King’s School, Grantham. In 1947, after war service…
Simpson, John James – Fruity John grew much of his own
John James Simpson (1841 – 1907) JOHN Simpson was a fruiterer and greengrocer who grew much of his own produce at his market garden. He came from an old…
Sims, Noel – The constant rebel
Noel Sims (1932-2014) COLSTERWORTH born Noel lived in the village all of his life and was married to Shirley for 55 years. After finishing school he went to work…
Sindall, Benjamin – Butcher was a big man in Grantham
Benjamin Sindall 1862 – 1948) BUTCHERY was the family business for Benjamin Sindall. Both his father and brothers were in the trade so it was inevitable that he should…
Skerritt, Fred – Former lion-tamer became Butlins manager
Fred Skerritt (1894-1948) Born in Oxford Street, he was one of Alfred Skerritt’s nine children, Fred was a pupil at the National School. He fought in the Army during…
Skinner, Reuben – Minister helped the jobless
REUBEN F Skinner REUBEN F Skinner was the Methodist minister at Commercial Road (now Electric Club) from 1929 to 1935, from where he moved to a ministry at Camden…
Smith, Bernard – Kings School to top geologist
DR Bernard Smith was not only a brilliant geologist but also a scientific worker of exceptionally wide outlook, who served for 30 years on the Geological Survey in varied…
Smith, Derrick – Ex-sailor created the Black Army
Derrick Ivan Gregory Smith (1922-2018) Derrick Ivan Gregory Smith, was born in Bourne, the son of a local businessman and councillor. Communiting by train, he went to Stamford School,…
Smith, Edith – officially, UK’s first policewoman
EDITH Smith, the first official police woman in the British Isles, was sworn in at Grantham Police Station in the Guildhall in August 1915
Smith, Jacki – Spent a working honeymoon in China
Smith, Jacqueline Jacqueline Smith – usually known as Jacki – was born in Farnborough, Hampshire and came to Grantham in 1946. She attended Kesteven and Grantham Girls…
Smith, Kenneth – Hero awarded George Cross
Kenneth Smith GC (1921-1945) HUMBY hero Kenneth Smith was awarded the George Cross for his actions during the Second World War. Unfortunately, it was posthumous. He saved many lives,…
Smith, Thomas James – Founder of pharmacutical giant trained in Grantham
Thomas James Smith (1827-1896) Thomas James Smith was the founder of Smith & Nephew, one of the United Kingdom’s largest medical devices businesses. After training as a pharmacist at…
Snell, David – Central Old Boy played part in The Cider House Rules
MUSICIAN, composer and conductor David Snell can count an Oscar-winning film score and the soundtrack to a Tomb Raider
Snell, John – Don’t blame John, he was part of the union
John Snell (1896-1985) JOHN Edward Snell was an active worker for both the local Labour Party and local trade unionism. A native of Great Gonerby, at one time he…
Snowball, Stuart – Formation dancer became prison chaplain
Stuart Snowball (1934-2013) Born in Darlington, County Durham, Stuart had worked for the Post Office, as a trolley-bus driver and salesman. After obtaining a degree in property management, he…
Solomon, Michael – Pub landlord opposed to drinking
Michael Solomon (1663-1700) A publican, who once owned the Angel Hotel, left a trust fund which paid the rector of St Wulfram’s Church, £2 a year to preach on…
Soons, Alan – An expert on Spanish literature
Alan Soons (1925-2011) BORN in Grantham, C Alan Soons wrote books and numerous articles on the literature of the Spanish Golden Age which were particularly well received in Europe…
Sowery, Frederick – Air ace broke a land speed record
Air Marshall Frederick Beresford Sowrey (1922-2019) Frederick Beresford Sowrey, the son of Group Captain Frederick Sowrey DSO, MC, AFC, was born on September 14 1922 at Grantham and was…
Sowrey, Freddie – Grantham man became Director of Defence Ministry
Air Marshal Sir Frederick Beresford ‘Freddie’ Sowrey, KCB CBE, AFC (1922- ) Frederick Beresford ‘Freddie’ Sowrey was born at a Grantham nursing home. His father was Group Captain Frederick…
Squires, Ted – Grantham’s Mr Bowls
Edward Squires (1920-2011) Ted Squires was ‘Mr Bowls , the stalwart of Grantham’s indoor and outdoor bowling scenes. He held all the top positions locally as well as at…
Stancer, Les – Notts County player ran Grantham pubs
Les Stancer (1925 – 2021) GRANTHAM born Lesley Stancer played for Notts County during the Second World War, mainly friendlies, plus one FA Cup appearance in the Autumn…
Starkey, Grace – Was Grantham’s oldest woman
Grace Starkey(1858-1954) GRACE Annie Starkey died just three days after celebrating her 96th birthday, at the time being Grantham’s oldest woman resident. She had been a widow for 25…
Steptoe, Nick – local sportsman played for Town
Nick Steptoe (1962-2008) ROPSLEY born Nicholas Steptoe, went to the village school, until his family moved to Grantham when he switched to Earlesfield County Primary, followed by St Hugh’s.…
Still, John – Credited with writing England’s first comedy
John Still (1543-1608) Grantham-born, after finishing his schooling at The King’s School, John Still became a student at Christ’s College, Cambridge, where he graduated with a BA in 1562,…
Stokes, Doris – UK’s best known medium
FORMER tea lady Doris Stokes filled the Sydney Opera House and the London Palladium during her career as a medium.
Storer, Arthur – Newton’s friend became USA’s first astronomer
Storer, Arthur (1648 – 1686) ARTHUR Storer was America’s first colonial astronomer. His step father was William Clarke the second husband of Arthur’s mother Katherine. Katherine brought her four…
Stow, Thomas – Farmer became a keen conchologist
Thomas Stow (1842 – 1929) Born at Waltham -on-the-Wolds, Thomas Stow was educated at Grantham King’s School. On leaving he moved to Shropshire, where he took up farming. He…
Stuart, Akroyd – The man who beat Diesel to it
THERE is no evidence that Herbert Akroyd Stuart ever even came to Grantham, but his influence was felt for more than half-a-century.
Stukeley, William – Grantham druid was an expert on Stonehenge
A keen freemason, he moved to Castlegate, Grantham, in 1926 to practice medicines and immediately set up a lodge. He also befriended Isaac Newton and became one of his…
Supple, Fred – Credit manager was a keen sportsman
Frederick Supple (1946-2011) Frederick Joseph Supple was born in Cleethorpes, one of four children. He was married to Irene. He worked as credit manager for Eddison Plant Limited, in…
Surridge, Terry – A sportsman for all seasons
Terry Surridge (b1941 ) BORN in Castlegate, Grantham, where he lived up to leaving town, Terry Surridge was keen on all sport. He went first to the National School,…
Tamblin, Joy – Station commander at RAF Spitalgate
Pamela Joy Tamblin (1926-2015) Air Commodore Pamela Joy Tamblin, was a senior officer of the Women’s Royal Air Force. She served as Director of the WRAF from 1976-80. During…
Tate, Alexander James – King’s head was an Irishman
Alexander James Tate, MA (1874-1931) IRISH-born A J Tate was headmaster at Grantham King’s School from 1917-1931. A graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, where he was a gold medallist…
Taylor, Bob – Custodian of the Dirty Duck for 43 years
Robert Michael Taylor (b1940) BOB Taylor ran the same village pub for 43 years – and left to run one in the town. Born in Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir, he went to…
Taylor, Frances – On her way to becoming a saint
FANNY Margaret Taylor, who later took the name Mother Mary Magdalen of the Sacred Heart, was the founder of the Roman Catholic order the Poor Servants of the Mother…
Taylor, Frederick – Grantham policeman for 25 years
Frederick Taylor (1878—1953) Frederick Taylor Joined the 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment in 1892 and saw active service in the Sudan and South Africa. He also served a number of…
Taylor, George – A cashier at a town bank
George Taylor (1885-1954) GEORGE Henry Taylor was first cashier at the Midland Bank, Westgate for 17 years. Son of a Castle Donington schoolmaster, Mr Taylor came to Grantham from…
Taylor, Gerry – Gerry gave the Gingerbreads bite
Gerry Taylor (b1946) GERRY Taylor was what was euphemistically known as ‘hard’. His nickname was ‘Bites-yer-legs’ in deference to Leeds United strong man Norman Hunter. Sleaford-born Gerry signed for…
