Taylor, Pim – Spent 32 years with Grantham Town
Pim Taylor (1925-1977) LESLIE Alfred Taylor, known to all as Pim, was a local footballing legend and never was the term ‘club stalwart’ better deserved. He was a fitter…
Tebb, Hazel – Volunteer became the county’s Citizen of the Year
Tebb, Hazel(1931-2014) Hazel Tebb, was one of the area’s most dedicated community volunteers. Her work for Grantham Stroke Club, which she helped to form, earned her the Lincolnshire Citizen…
Tempest, Thomas Peter – The man who built St Mary’s
Canon Thomas Peter Tempest, (C1805-1861) AS a young theology student Thomas Peter Tempest, of Broughton Hall, near Skipton, was passing along the Great North Road, on his way home,…
Terry, Simon – The Olympic Hotshot
SIMON Terry’s first leap to fame was in 1992, when he returned from the Barcelona with two bronze Olympic medals for archery.
Thatcher, Margaret – Grantham’s Iron Lady
Margaret Hilda Thatcher (1925- 2013) BORN in Grantham at her father’s corner shop on North Parade, Margaret Hilda Roberts became Britain’s first woman Premier. As Margaret Thatcher she won…
Thomas, Harry – District reporter became voice of SKDC
Harry Rainford Thomas (1933-2018) Harry Thomas was born in Dundee, the second youngest in a family of seven. During the war, he was put on a train with a…
Thompson, Brian -Checkie had the whole town rockin’
Brian ‘ Checkie’ Thompson (1938 – 2011) BRIAN ‘Checkie’ Thompson was the son the Great Gonerby village butcher. He was a pupil at the King’s School, where he enjoyed…
Thompson, Colin – Central pupil became a Posh boy
Colin Thompson (1942 – 2020) PETER Colin Thompson was born in Mombassa, Kenya. When his family returned to England, he became a pupil at the Boys Central School, where…
Thompson, William – Remembered through cricket competition
WILLIAM Edwin Thompson is best known as the man who donated the Thompson Cup for local cricket teams to compete. He was, like his father and brother, a solicitor.…
Thorold, Ernest – Spent most of his life as Army chaplain
Ernest Thorold (1879- 1940) THE Third son of the Rev. A C Thorold, Dr Ernest Hayford Thorold CB, CBE, OBE, was born and died at at Marston Hall, Marston.…
Thorold, Henry – wrote several Shell guides
THe Rev Henry Croyland Thorold (which he insisted was pronounced ‘Thorough’) was born on into a landed family
Todd, Richard – Film star stole local ladies’ hearts
FILM star and 1950s square-jawed heart throb Richard Todd is the archetype Englishman
Tollemache, Frederick – Town MP with two pubs named after him
Frederick Tollemache (1804-1888) EVERYONE knows the Newton statue, on St Peter’s Hill, but many people still ask “who’s the other chap?” Well, the Hon Frederick James Tollemache, whose statue…
Tollemache, Sir Lyonel – Baronet was an Army major
Sir Lyonel Tollemache (1931-2020) Sir Lyonel Humphry John Tollemache, 7th Baronet, JP, DL, lived at Buckminster Park, near Grantham. He was the son of Major-General Sir Humphry Tollemache, 6th…
Tollemache, William – Man from Buckminster Park owned most of Grantham
Tollemache, William (1766–1833) WILLIAM Manners Tollemache, Lord Huntingtower known as Sir William Manners, Bt, was a British nobleman and Tory politician between 1793 and 1821 He was the eldest…
Tollerton, George – Grantham’s own ventriloquist
George Christopher Tollerton (1899-1966) George Christopher TOLLERTON was born at 66 Brewery Hill, Grantham in August 1899 to Henry and Emma Tollerton (nee Batty). He was baptised at St…
Tombs, Joseph – Kings pupil went on to win a VC
KING’S School old boy Joseph Tombs, lived on London Road.
Tomlinson, Clare – Barrowby girl’s a good sport
Clare Tomlinson (b1968) CLARE Tomlinson is an anchorwoman for the British satellite sports network Sky Sports, and has worked there for more than 10 years. She presents Football…
Topps, Frank – Butcher was a cut above the rest
Frank Topps (1945-2013) BORN in Grantham, Frank Robert Topps, was the son of Harold and Ethel Topps Aged 19, he started his own butchery business in Great Gonerby.…
Toulson, Leslie – He helped to make the Sun shine
Leslie Gordon Toulson (1939-2012) Les Toulson was medical and science correspondent of The Sun newspaper. Born in Witham Place, Grantham, his family moved to Heathfield Road in 1944. He attended Kings School, complete…
Treadgold, Arthur – Struck gold in the Yukon
ARTHUR Newton Christian Treadgold was in the right place at the right time to become very rich indeed.
Truesdale, John ‘Trousers’ – A very popular Grantham character
John ‘Trousers’ Truesdale, (1943-2012) JOHN William Henry Truesdale was born in Stoke Rochford, but the family moved to Grantham shortly afterwards. He went to the National School then St…
Tuck, Robert – Ace pilot liked a pint while training at Grantham
Roland Robert Stanford Tuck DSO, DFC & Two Bars, AFC (1916-1987) Wing Commander Roland Robert Stanford Tuck was a British fighter pilot and test pilot. He joined the Royal…
Tuilagi, Fereti – International encouraged Grantham’s rugby players
Fereti ‘Freddie’ Tuilagi (b1971 ) A Samoan former professional rugby footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. After playing rugby union at international level, he turned professional and played rugby…
Turner, ‘Bunny’ – Grantham builder knew his pumpkins
BERNARD Andrew Turner, known throughout his life as Bunny, was born and brought up in East Street, one of 11 siblings.
Turnor, Christopher – MP designed his own memorial
Christopher Turnor MP, JP, DL (1809 –1886) Christopher Turnor was an English Conservative Party politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1841 to 1847, and a promoter…
Tyndale, Gervase – King’s head was a state informer
Gervase Tyndale (c1494 -1536) GERVASE Tyndall was from a long established family, originally from Northumberland, but had settled in Deene Park in Northamptonshire. He was sent to Oxford University,…
Underwood, Rory – England’s top try scorer
Rory Underwood (b1963) MIDDLESBROUGH-born Rory Underwood MBE is a record-breaking former English rugby union footballer who played wing for Bedford and most notably, Leicester Tigers. He moved to Skillington in…
Van der Elst, Violet – The amazing lady from Grantham Castle
A WASHER-woman and a coal-porter’s daughter, Violet Van der Elst saved both the condemned from the gallows and Harlaxton Manor from demolition.
Vardy, Jamie – From part-timer to Premier winner
Jamie Vardy (b1987) Born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, Vardy started his career with the Stocksbridge Park Steels youth system-at 16 years-old after being released by Sheffield Wednesday. He made…
Vardy, Rebekah – WAG doesn’t want to get out of here
Rebekah Vardy (b1982) BORN Rebekah Miranda Nicholson she is probably best known for being the wife of LCFC star Jamie Vardy, who is 31. The brunette is also known…
Vickers , Ronald – Died as aircraft was coming into land
Ronald Vickers (1922-1954) After attending Spitalgate Boys’ school, Sgt -Pilot Ronald Leslie Vickers was employed at BMARCo , Springfield Road, before enlisting in the RAFVR. During the Second World…
Wade, Thomas – Meeting royalty was blooming great for Thomas
Thomas Wade, (1868-1954) STAMFORD born Thomas Wade began his working career as an apprentice with Stamford florists and nurserymen, W & J Brown, and rose to the position of…
Walker, Chris – Oldest rider in superbikes
Chris Walker (b1972) Nottingham-born Chris Walker is a British motorcycle road racer and former scrambler with the nickname ‘The Stalker’. He is a four-time runner-up in the British Superbike…
Walker, Jenny – Jenny finds music is the key to happiness
Jenny Walker, LGSM, BA (Hons), Dip Spec Ed EVER since she was a small child, Jenny Walker has been musical. She took piano lessons in her home town, Southampton, and…
Walker, William – King’s head was a stickler for grammar
William Walker (1623-1684) A schoolmaster and author, William Walker was born in Lincoln and educated at the public school there. He proceeded to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took…
Wallis, Noel – Bricklayer built his life on music
Noel Frederick Wallis (1931-2017) Noel Frederick Wallis spent his early years in Queen Street and was a pupil at Spittlegate School. He became an apprentice bricklayer at Fosters, becoming…
Walls, Barry – Versatile circus performer and master of disguise
Barry Walls (1937 – 2006) Barry Walls was one of the most intriguing and versatile of circus performers in Great Britain in a career spanning over three decades. He…
Walls, Eric George – A seed merchant all of his working life
Eric George Walls (1893-1954) BUSINESSMAN Eric Walls was a native of Sleaford, where he worked at the headquarters of seed merchants Charles Sharpe since leaving school. Then in 1924…
Wallwork, Johnny – No-nonsense Mayor was a self-made man
John Wallwork (1911-2008) JOHN Wallwork became Mayor of Grantham in 1969 but is perhaps better known as a Grantham businessman who started with a small bric-a-brac shop on the…
Wand, William – Butcher’s son became bishop
A wide-ranging historian, he wrote 40 books, among them a History of the Modern Church (1930), and History of the Early Church (1937)
Ward, Alex – Grantham musician played with Duke Ellington
Alex Ward (b1974) FORMER King’s School pupil Alex Ward lived in Lodge Way, Grantham, as a youngster. While there he was invited in 1989 to appear at the Glasgow…
Warrender, Victor – MP was helped by famous Grantham schoolgirl
VICTOR Alexander George Anthony Warrender, 1st Baron Bruntisfield MC, also known as Sir Victor Warrender, Bt, was elected Grantham’s Conservative MP in 1923 and held the seat until 1942…
Watchorn, Arthur – Ran the family butchers
A FORMER King’s School pupil, Arthur William Watchorn joined the family butcher’s business on the corner of Westgate and Guildhall Street. He broke off to join the Army, spending…
Watchorn, Gladys – librarian joined butchers business
Gladys Watchorn, was an old girl of the Girls’ Central School, Grantham, where she was a head girl and continued to go to reunions.
Watkins, Kenneth – the man who saved trees – millions of them
Kenneth Watkins OBE (1909-1996) Born in Bromley, Kent, Ken Educated in London, and took his first job with Murrays, a London-based tobacco company. In the early 1930s he took…
Watkins, William – designer of the Guildhall
William Watkins (1834-1936) WILLIAM Watkins was born in Worcestershire and was articled to architect Henry Day between 1854-59, then moved to Lincoln as assistant to Henry Goddard from 1860-64.…
Watson, Hugh – Electrical engineer was a bright spark
Hugh Watson (1938-2009) HUGH Francis Watson was born at Ilkeston, Derbyshire, and attended Ilkeston Grammar School. He married Doreen at Lincoln in 1962 and they lived at Boston for…
Watts, Ela – You can always count on Ela
Ela Watts (b1952) GRAVITY FM and Belvoir Radio presenter Ela Watts was born Elaine Ivy May in Harrow Street, Grantham, and attended local schools, Spittlegate Primary, followed by Kesteven…
Weatherhogg, William – Grantham’s last Chief Constable
William Weatherhogg (1895-1971) WILLIAM Weatherhog was Grantham’s last Chief Constable, before the borough police was merged into the Lincolnshire Constabulary 1949, after which he retired. He was born in…
Webb, Marylyn – TV presenter went into the garden business
Marylyn Webb (1948-2014) Marylyn Webb was trailblazing television presenter and a familiar face to YTV viewers for more than 20 years. She joined Yorkshire Television in 1972 from the…
Welbourn, Brenda – The lady from the Journal
Brenda Christine Welbourn was known throughout the town as a local reporter.
Welby-Everard, Maj Gen Sir Christopher – Led Lincolnshire Regiment on D-Day
Maj Gen Sir Christopher Welby-Everard (1910-1996) MAJ Gen Sir Christopher Welby-Everard (1910-1996), who lived at Sapperton Manor, Sapperton, had a distinguished military career. He took over the 2nd Battalion…
Welby, Sir Charles – Newark MP became Grantham Mayor
Sir Charles Glynne Earle Welby (1865 – 1938) Sir Charles Glynne Earle Welby, 5th Baronet, CB, DL (11 August 1865 – 19 March 1938) was a British civil servant…
Wellbelove, Leslie – Leslie lived for music
Leslie Wellbelove (1905-1954) Leslie Wellbelove, of Dudley Road, lived for music. He was a member of Ruston and Hornsby’s Prize band, for several years, until illness forced him to…
Westmacott, Vera – Estate agents daughter was newspaper director
VERA Marguerite Westmacott was a former director and chairman of the Grantham Journal.
Weston, Bennett – Had a sense of humour right to the end
Bennett Weston (1919-2013) Born at Stainby, Norman Bennett Weston was the eldest of three brothers. After leaving the King’s School, Grantham, he started to train as an electrical engineer…
Wheat, Graham – Left RAF to look after the post
Herbert ‘Graham’ Wheat (1928-2019) Graham Wheat was born in Bedworth, Warwickshire, and joined the RAF when he was 16. He trained as a technician and rose to the rank…
Whitaker, William – Tailor was an Oddfellow for half-a-century
William Whitaker (1830-1914) BORN in Leeds, 15-year-old William Whitaker came to Grantham as an apprentice to tailor George Gibbon in 1845. In 1869, on the death of Mr Gibbons,…
Whysall, William – Malster began pharmacy dynasty
William Whysall (1839-1913) THE son of a Belper farmer and malster, William Whysall came to Grantham when he was 30 to open a pharmacy. He had already spent serve…
Widdowson, Fred – From apprentice to boss of tyre firm
Frederick Widdowson MBE (1925-2014) Mr Frederick Widdowson MBE, of Woodlands Drive, was born in Grantham, the son of Dick and Emma Widdowson. He started work at Tyresoles (North Road…
Wilkinson, Wilkie – A legend in the motor racing world
WALTER Ernest “Wilkie” Wilkinson was in motor racing from the earliest days of the sport.
Wilks, John – Roads were his main concern
Wilks, John (1919-2006) JOHN Wilks was a persistent campaigner for democracy and open government, who was a public servant in the town for nearly 30 years. Mr Wilks’ quiet…
Willard, Percy – Librarian was a local history buff
Clarence Percy Willard (1912-1979) Clarence Percy Willard was born in Steyning, Sussex. His mother’s maiden name was Rattlidge, born 1890 same place, a housemaid on the 1911 Census.…
Williams, Grace – Influential composer taught at KGGS
She composed several works here, including the Sinfonia Concertante and her first symphony, most of which she subsequently destroyed.
Williams, Mike – Barnsley born, Barnsley bred….
Michael George Williams (1941-2023) Mike was born in Barnsley and like, Mike Parkinson, Dickie Bird and Geoffrey Boycott -and despite Welsh origins – was a ‘professional Yorkshireman’. His father…
Williamson, Jason – Half of Sleaford Mods
Jason Williamson (b1970) JASON Williamson has music in is genes. His father Brian Bradley, and Uncle Tony were for many years part of one of Grantham’s…
Willoughby, Lady Jane – a member of UK’s rich-list
Lady Jane Willoughby (b1934) NANCY Jane Marie Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby, 28th Baroness Willoughby de Eresby, owns one of the nicest piles in the Grantham area – Grimsthorpe Castle. She is an…
