Cartwright, Jabez – Grantham footballer killed in action
Jabez Cartwright (1885-1917) Holbeach born Jabez Cartwright was adopted by Mr and Mrs Smith, of Holbeach Drove, at the age of four. He began his football career at Mapperly,…
Casburn, John – Grantham’s Chief Constable got an OBE
John Robert Casburn (1871-1948) John Robert Casburn was appointed Chief constable of Grantham Borough Police in 1898 Even during 1919, there were only 16 policemen patrolling the town. The…
Catlin, Lewis – Founded Grantham business
Lewis F Catlin (1862-1924) Grantham born, Lewis Catlin was the son of retired farmer Robert Catlin, of Elmer Street. He was the senior partner of High Street grocer and…
Cattermole, John – Popular teacher was an old rocker
JOHN Richard Cattermole began his teaching career at Blessed Hugh Moore School,
Cecil, William – King School old boy was a fan of Queen
SIR William Cecil was born in Bourne, in 1520, the only son of Richard Cecil, owner of the Burghley estate (near Stamford), and his wife, Jane (nee Heckington). William…
Chakrabati, Lakshmi – Grantham A&E’s first consultant
Lakshmi Narayan Chakrabarti (1930-2016) Dr Lakshmi Narayan Chakrabarti was born in East Bengal. He graduated as a doctor in Calcutta before coming to the UK in 1967. He first…
Chamberlain, Nick – 10th Bishop of Grantham
Nicholas Alan Chamberlain MA PhD (b1963) Dr Nicholas Alan Chamberlain MA PhD, Vicar of St George and St Hilda, Jesmond, in the diocese of Newcastle, was appointed 10th suffragan Bishop…
Chambers, Arthur- Created Grantham’s best known haberdashery
Arthur Chambers (1838 -1901) BORN in Chadwell, Leicestershire, he came to Grantham as an apprentice to his uncle John who was a woollen draper at the Exchange Hall, High…
Chambers, Cam – A Grantham chemist for many years
Arthur Egelwin Campbell Chambers (1874-1953) CHEMIST in Grantham for many years, Arthur Egelwyne Campbell Chambers, was the son of draper Arthur Chambers. He was born at the Priory –…
Chambers, Charles – Soldier mentioned in dispatches
Charles Chambers (1879-1965) Charles R Chambers was born in Grantham to Thomas and Rebecca Chambers, his mother dying giving birth. He was brought up at 17 Harrow Street where…
Chandler, Des – His shop sold everything from cotter pins to combine harvesters
Desmond Eric Chandler (1906 – 1995) Des Chandler was best known for his role in creating one of Grantham’s best known businesses – D E Chandlers (or Chandlers of…
Chantry, Paul – St Hugh’s pupil is laud of the dance
Paul Chantry (b1983) PAUL Chantry is not a conventional ballet dancer. In his late teens, on an acting course, he was inspired by a demonstration by a dance company…
Chappel, Eric – Eric never suffered from Rising Damp
Eric Chappel, (1933 – 2022 ) NOT many people could say their work was regularly seen by more than 17 million people, but Grantham-born writer Eric Chappell could. Based…
Chappell, Zac – Young cricketer tried the Broad route
Zac Chappell (b1996) Grantham-born Zak Chappell was part of Leicestershire Cricket Club’s Academy and has signed a two-year contract at Grace Road in 2014. He is a tall, quick…
Cheesman, Walter – former soldier became attaché at the British Embassy, Cairo
Col Walter Cheesman (1898-1981) COL Walter J W Cheesman, CBE MC enjoyed a colourful career in the Army and diplomatic service. Born in Kent, he was give the Emergency…
Chekanoff, Nicholas – Art master ‘Chick’ was no chicken
Nicholas Francis Palfrey Chekanoff (1916-2007) His parents Nicholas and Gwendoline Palfrey married in 1916 in Kings Norton Area and divorced 12 years later. His father was Inspector of Munitions…
Chessum, Ollie – Kesteven RFC youth played for England
Oliver Andrew Chessum (b2001 ) Ollie is an English rugby union player for Leicester Tigers in Premiership Rugby. His preferred position is lock, but he also plays back row.…
Cheung, Angela – Grantham girl worked with Sly, Britney, Kylie and The Rock
Angela Cheung (b1968 ) In 1968, when Angela Cheung was born in Grantham Hospital, her father, popular restauranteur and Grantham Hall of Famer, Peter Cheung, was so delighted he…
Cheung, Jonathan – Was top Levi designer in the USA
Jonathan Cheung (c1966) Born in Grantham, the son of the owner of a popular Chinese restaurant, Jonathan went to King’s School. In 1985/86 he went to Lincoln College of…
Cheung, Peter – Introduced Chinese cuisine to Grantham
Peter Kam Hing Cheung (1939-2017) Peter Cheung was born to a poor family in Hong Kong, then a British protectorate, during the Second World War. He went to Queen…
Christophersen, Sigfred Johannes – Spy died in crash near Grantham
Sigfred Johannes Christophersen (1914 – 1943) Sigfred Johannes Christophersen was the son of market gardener Johannes Ruder Christophersen and Ane Cathrine Christophersen (née Paaskesen), born in Denmark. He joined…
Cibber, Colley – Rude, abrasive, greedy and Poet Laureate
PLAYWRIGHT, actor and poet Colley Cibber studied in Grantham and went on to become poet laureate. He wrote 30 plays but it was his 1740 autobiography that became is…
Clare, John – Poet lodged at Grantham pub
John Clare (1793 –1864) John Clare was an English poet, the son of a farm labourer, who came to be known for his celebratory representations of the English countryside…
Clark, Terry – Grantham’s master car-breaker
Terence Clark (b 1943) Terry was born in Grantham in April 1943 to Harold and Doris. Harold worked as a coppersmith at Aveling Barfords. The family lived on Walton…
Clarke, Andy – The man who brought Asda to Grantham
ANDREW Clarke was the man responsible for bringing ASDA to Grantham.
Clay, Alan – Joined Grantham Town after beating Rommel
Alan Clay (1920– 1981) Born at Sleaford. Alan Clay made his debut for Grantham in January 1947 at home to Barnsley Reserves, scoring his first goal just over two…
Clifford, Henry – Won the Victoria Cross
THE Hon Henry Clifford, of Irnham Hall, received the Victoria Cross for his bravery in the Crimean War
Colclough, Katie – Retired aged 23
Katie Colclough (b1990) Katie Amanda Colclough is a retired English road and track cyclist from Frieston near Caythorpe and a former member of British Cycling’s Olympic Development Squad. She…
Coldron, Harry – Sportsman died in second motorcycle accident
Harry Coldron (1920-1954) HARRY Coldron was born in Grantham and was a pupil at the Boys National School. He joined Aveling-Barford, until joining the Navy in March 1939. When…
Coleman, Ernie – Central boy followed in the footsteps of Franklin
Ernest C Coleman (B1943) Born in Lincoln, Ernie Coleman moved to Grantham when he was three. He became a pupil at the Boys Central School. On leaving school,…
Coleman, Hannah – Grantham girl sings across the globe
Hannah Coleman (b1987) Born in Worksop, Hannah was raised in Grantham. Her first musical training was at St. Wulfram’s Church Choir in Grantham at age 10, making her the…
Coley, George – Leading figure in the chess world
George Coley (1866 – 1941) George Coley, was the oldest employee of the Grantham Journal – he worked for them for 55 years – and was also a leading…
Collard, Norton – Priest had a tiger in his tank
Fr Norton H Collard (1923-2017) Fr Norton Harvey Collard was vicar of St. Anne’s parish from 1970 to 1987. Although he died in Grantham, he is buried in Gravesend…
Collier, Evie – was top on the tables
BRENTWOOD-born Evangeline Collier began playing table tennis when she was seven years old and it soon became apparent that she had a lot of ability and talent for the…
Cooke, Robbie – Grantham top-scorer joined Manchester United
Robbie Cooke (1957 – 2021) ROTHERHAM-born ‘Cookie’ was a former Mansfield Town apprentice who joined Grantham at the start of the 1978/79 season, making his debut in the County…
Cooper, Lady Diana – Mother to Lord Grantham’s creator
Lady Diana Cooper (1892-1986) DIANA Cooper, Viscountess Norwich, was a prominent social figure in London and Paris, widely acknowledged as the beauty of the century. Born Lady Diana Olivia…
Corbett, Ronnie – Comedian enjoyed his Grantham breakfasts
Ronnie Corbett (1930-2016) Ronald Balfour Corbett, CBE was a Scottish actor and comedian who had a long association with Ronnie Barker in the television comedy series The Two Ronnies. He…
Corradine, Malcolm – Local boy was speedway ace
Malcolm Corradine (b1953) HEAVY plant and equipment at Alyson Hire and driving the digger in the creation of Woodland Waters at Ancaster, which he now runs, aren’t Grantham businessman…
Coulby, Harry – From railway worker to shipping magnate
NO one represents the American dream more than Harry Coulby. His rags-to-riches tale saw him rise from humble origins in Claypole to becoming the president of a major shipping…
Coultas, Benjamin – Ironfounder ran the local newspaper
GRANTHAM born Benjamin Coultas was the grandson of James Coultas, who founded the Perseverance Ironworks in Union Street. He worked for his father, also James,
Coutts, Lynda – Former Mayor was an au pair in Vienna
Lynda Coutts Born in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, Lynda is the Conservative district councillor for Barrowbygate. She studied shorthand, typing Commerce and Accounting, at school, skills that have enabled her…
Cox, Noel – An all round musician
Noel Cox OBE (1917-2005) Noel Frederick Cox, musician was born in Grantham on Christmas Day in the final year of the First World War. He was educated at King’s…
Crabbe, George – Satirist who was short on humour
LOOK in any bibliographical history of poetry and the name and works of George Crabbe will feature. Widely regarded as the forerunner to Wordsworth, Crabbe is considered the chief…
Crabtree, Theophilus – a very liberal secretary
Theophilus Crabtree (1853-1901) Theodore Richardson Crabtree was the secretary of Grantham Liberal Association and private secretary to the town’s MP and his cousin, Arthur Priestley. Born in Pontefract, he…
Cragg, William Alfred – Historian spent 33 years as councillor
William Alfred Cragg(1859-1950) Born in Spanby, Capt William Alfred Cragg JP, FSA farmed and owned considerable land and lived at nearby Threekingham House. He married Adelaide Alexandra, daughter of…
Cragg, William Gilliat – worked in the Nigerian Political Service
William Gilliat Cragg (1883-1956) The son of Capt William Alfred Cragg JP, FSA, of Threekingham House, Threekingham, and his wife, Adelaide Alexandra nee Gilliat, of Barham, East Hoathley, Sussex,…
Cranmer, Thomas – First Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury
AS Britain’s first protestant archbishop of Canterbury Aslockton-born Thomas Cranmer introduced the English bible into parish churches, assisted Henry VIII in his marital affairs and was burned for heresy…
Crawford, Anne – Star of stage and screen
Anne Crawford (1920- 1956) FILM star Anne (real name Imelda) Crawford was born in Haifa, (then Palestine), to a Scottish engineer working on the railways. She was brought up…
Creeden, David – Football fan ran Gingerbread’s programme shop
David Creeden (1942-2014) BORN at Southbourne, near Portsmouth, David John Creeden’s family came to live in Colsterworth when he was seven. They moved to Grantham in 1951, where he…
Cribb, Tom – Won world title fight near Grantham
Tom Cribb (1781 –1848) Tom Cribb was an English bare-knuckle boxer of the 19th century, who retained his world championship just south of Grantham. Born in Wick, near Bristol,…
Crosby, Gary – Sold to Forest for a record fee
Gary Crosby (b1964) Sleaford-born Gary was a former Lincoln City and Ruston Sports player who was left languishing in the local league with Lincoln United after it was decided…
Cullen, Frank – A life of learning
Frank Cullen (1903-1964) BORN at Harrowby Road, Grantham, and educated at the King’s School, Frank Cullen spent his adult life in education. He was a teacher at the Boys’ Central…
Culverhouse, Ian Brett – Another link with Canaries
Ian Brett Culverhouse (b1964) Ian Brett Culverhouse was born in Bishop’s Stortford and was Grantham Town manager from May-October in 2018. He was a defender who played in the…
Cummins, Rex – A big man in every sense
Rex Cummins (1936-2013) REX Cummins, ran several business ventures in Grantham. He was raised in Lincoln and as a youth enjoyed motor racing, horse-riding and rugby. His family ran…
Cunningham, George – The General’s past was a mystery
George Cunningham (1919-2001) GEORGE Cunningham – known to everyone in Grantham as ‘The General’ because he often wore an Army greatcoat, was one of the town’s great characters. He…
Curran, Terry – Six-figure transfer man signed for Grantham Town
Curran, Terry (1955- ) EDWARD Terence Curran is a former professional footballer whose career lasted from 1975 to 1988, including a spell with Grantham Town. He was an attacking…
Curtis, Chris – Tragic end for talented footballer
Curtis Chris (1963-2005) GRANTHAM-born Chris was a fullback with Grantham Town, who previously played for Sleaford Town and Harrowby United before progressing through the Reserves to make his…
Cust, Harry – Women found Dirty Harry irresistible
HENRY John Cockayne-Cust was something of an Edwardian legend although the evidence for his existence is far from mythical.
Cust, John – Speaker had dinner plates in lieu of pension
John Cust (1718-1780) SIR John was a Member of Parliament from 1743 and Speaker of the House of Commons for the last eight years of his life. His early…
Cust, John (1779-1853)
Was too Conservative to read the Times John Cust (1779-1853) JOHN Cust succeeded Brownlow Cust in 1807 and was raised to Earldom in 1815. A stern and forbidding…
Dagger, Barry – Hot shot Barry’s quest for gold
BARRY Edward Dagger shot to fame quite literally
Dainty, Chris – Former editor turned to charity
FORMER King’s School pupil Chris Dainty was appointed editor of the Grantham Journal in 1988. He was there for four years
Dale, Jesse – The man who couldn’t leave Grantham quickly enough
Jesse Dale (1840 – ) JESSE Dale was the man responsible for Grantham getting a new Guildhall in 1868. But he wasn’t a politician, or even an architect. He…
Dales, Philip – Lost in action flying Spitfire
William Philip Dales (1919-1941) Philip, as he was known, was born on 14th May 1919 in Little Ponton, near Grantham. His father was a Gamekeeper and the family were…
Darmon, Hazel – Shared the duties as Mayoress
Hazel Darmon (1936-2013) BORN in Great Ponton, Hazel Patricia Stella was an only child. Her family moved to Little Ponton when she was two years old and she attended…
David French – the man who painted Red Rum
David French (1939-2019) Artist, quizzer and former Grantham College lecturer David French was born in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. After studying at his local collage of art and the Bath…
Davidson, Paul – Local reporter became a Fleet Street hero
Davidson, Paul (1949-2015) PAUL Davidson was born in Sleaford, and grew up in nearby Ancaster where he went to the village primary school. From there he progressed to Carre’s…
Davies, Elsie – A councillor for nearly 40 years
Elsie Davies (1918-1997) ELSIE Davies was a stalwart Labour councillor with the town, district and county authorities. She was born in Nantwich, Cheshire, where she met her husband…
