Marsh, Alec – Top amateur rider
Alec Marsh (1908-1996) THE son of a wealthy Staunton-in-the-Vale farmer, Alec Marsh became champion amateur rider under National Hunt Rules in 1934, a position he held for three years. He…
Martin, Charles -Died after the other Flanders battle
Charles Edward Martin (1908 – 1940) AMONG those who paid the supreme sacrifice as a result of the battle of Flanders was Private Charles Edward Martin of Grantley Street.…
Mason Alan – TV Gardener was to the Manor borne
Alan Mason (b1952) ALAN’S distinguished career began as Head Gardener to Mr and Mrs George Lane-Fox at Bramham Park, in Wetherby in West Yorkshire, which has one of the…
Matthews, Stanley – Stan the Man keeps on rockin’
Stan ‘ The Man’ Matthews (b1936) BORN in Grantham, Stanley Herbert Matthews was educated at first Huntingtower School then the Boys Central School. Throughout his life he was destined…
Maw, Nicholas – Was a top contemporary composer
ONE of Britain’s most celebrated contemporary composers was
Mawer, Eric – The man behind Grantham’s building trade
ERIC Mawer was well known in the building industry
Maxon, Keith – ‘Allo ‘Allo: Grantham man married LeBonk
Keith Maxon (b c1943) FORMER Grantham rock musician Keith Maxon hit the headlines when he married actress Sue Hodge best known as Mimi LeBonk in award-winning TV sitcom ‘Allo,…
McCallin, Shona – KGGS girl became a Golden Girl
Shona McCallin (b1992) Shona McCallin was one of the youngest athletes selected to compete for Team GB at the Rio de Janiero 2016 Olympic Gamesand returned with a Gold…
McCorquodale, Lady Sarah – Sister of the People’s Princess
Lady Sarah McCorquodale (b1955) LADY Sarah McCorquodale is the older sister of Diana, Princess of Wales. Born The Honourable Elizabeth Sarah Lavinia Spencer, she acquired the courtesy title in…
McCorquodale, Alastair – Ran for England in London Olympics
But his big moment came when he crossed the finishing line of the 100m final of the 1948 Olympic Games in London. Alastair was inches away from medal glory…
McIntosh, William – The man with tartan tonic
William McIntosh (b 1954) BORN in Blackburn-by-Bathgate, Glasgow, just three doors from Susan ‘Subo’ Boyle, William Dennison McIntosh went to Whitburn Academy then Falkirk Technical College to study engineering.…
Mellor, John – Town MP was a top judge
John Mellor (1835-1911) JOHN William Mellor was an English lawyer and Liberal Party politician, at one time representing Grantham. Born in London, the eldest of the eight sons of…
Melville-Clark, Paula – Top music teacher Down Under
Paula Melville-Clark (1955- ) KNOWN then simply as Paula Clark, her family came to Grantham from York in 1967 living just outside of town at Cold Harbour, later moving…
Michelson, Ray – Ray was into newspapers – read all about it!
Ray Michelson (1934-2010) GRANTHAM businessman Ray Michelson was a tireless charity campaigner for Help the Aged. Born in Leicestershire, he was brought up in Ropsley. After leaving school. he…
Mildinhall, Frederick – War hero received MBE from Queen Mother
Frederick Albert Mildinhall (1920-2016) Frederick Mildinhall was born in St Pancras, London, in August 1920. On leaving school at the age of 13, he trained as a butcher, then…
Millard ‘Monkey’ – Vicar kept a zoo in Grantham
Edwin ‘Monkey’ Millard (1874-1951) THE Rev Edwin “Monkey” Millard was Vicar of St Anne’s Church, Harrowby Road, for nearly 40 years. Born in Costock, Nottinghamshire, one of a family of…
Millhouse, Bernard – Auctioneer helped found Swimarathon
Bernard Millhouse (1914-2012) BERNARD Millhouse was born in Grantham, where he lived and worked all his life. In 1931 he joined auctioneers Goldings, founded by his father, Louis F. Millhouse,…
Mills, Gary – Town manager had been Forest’s youngest player
Gary Mills (b1961) GARY Roland Mills started his football career with Nottingham Forest and became the club’s youngest league player after making his first team debut at the age…
Mirehouse, John – Cemetery was full, so vicar posted baby’s body to Home Office
Rev John Mirehouse (1839-1910) THE Rev John Mirehouse was a controversial clergyman, even 60 after his death. When his adopted village Colsterworth wanted to name a road after him,…
Mitchell, Frank – Foreman had a passion for pig-breeding
Frank Norman David Mitchell (1925-2014) Frank Norman David Mitchell, was born at 13 Witham Place, Grantham, to Frank and Maud. He had a sister, Brenda. He attended St Anne’s…
Mitchinson, Lily – Grantham landlady was a high flyer
Lily Mitchinson (1894-1981) FEW people who knew the landlady of the Huntingtower Arms in the 1960s knew she was a founder member of the WRAF. Lily Ethel Mitchinson (nee…
Montanari, Augusta – Grantham publican’s daughter became world’s top dollmaker
Augusta Montanari (1818-1864) MADAME Augusta Montanari was born Charlotte Augusta Dalton, in Grantham, the daughter of the landlord of the Nag’s Head and his wife Elizabeth Plummer. (The Gurkha…
Moore, Andy – Grantham lad who played rugby – on Alex Fergusson’s advice
Andrew Paul Moore was a Welsh international lock forward,
Moore, Steve – Grantham lad played rugby for Wales
LIKE his brother Andy, Stephen John Moore played for Swansea and Wales
More, Blessed Hugh – Grantham martyr had school named after him
HUGH More was the son of Grantham landowner and devout protestant Richard More. It is likely that he was born ar Orange Tree House, St Peter’s Hill, the birthplace…
More, Henry – Fellow Kings pupil may have influenced Newton
Henry More (1615-1687) THEOLOGIAN and philosopher Henry More’s father was Alexander More who had been mayor of Grantham on several occasions. He was the seventh son of Alexander and…
Morgan, Dave – Time Machine man’s impressive record
David Morgan (b1949) BORN in Manchester, David James Morgan’s family moved to Ropsley when he was only five. He went to the village school and was in the first…
Morris, Bert – founder member of indoor bowling
Albert George Morris (1913 – 1995) Known as Bert, he was born in Oxfordshire and lived there with his family before moving to Swindon as a 14-year-old. He began…
Morris, Tom – Grantham Landlady’s son made his life with Spurs
Tom Morris (1876-1942) Grantham-born Tom Morris was brought up by his mother, a licensed beer retailer at 16 London Road (now the Reindeer Inn). He played for Grantham Rovers…
Mottershaw, Tony – Kobalts founder enjoyed the Streetlife
Tony Mottershaw (b1942) THE young Anthony Mottershaw lived at Cowes Road and went to Earlesfield Primary School and Spitalgate Boys then on to St Wulfram’s Secondary School. He worked…
Mountain, Bob – Bob was a hat-trick hero
Bob Mountain (b1956) BORN at Wombwell, Robert Mountain began his football career at Bolton Wanderers and then made one appearance for Huddersfield Town during the 1973/74 season, before joining…
Muffett, Jake – Always in good voice
Jake Muffett (b1993) BARITONE Jake Muffett cut his teeth as a singer with Grantham Choral Society’s youth choir and Grantham Operatic Society. He was educated at King’s School and…
Mullin, Mick – One of Grantham’s great characters
Mick Mullin (1957-2008) Born at Dulwich Hospital, London, Michael Adolphus Mullin was the son of Oscar and Cora Mullin. After leaving Charles Read School, Corby Glen, he worked…
Musson, George – Made the weathervane in Wyndham Park
George Musson (1926-2014) George Albert Musson lived in Grantham all of his life. He married Dawn (nee Galbraith) in 1951. His working life was spent at Neals cranes, Newmans…
Myers, John – The parson who had four wives
Rev John Myers (1739-1821) THE Rev John Myers was a man with humble origins who amassed a large fortune, mainly by marrying well. After three years at St Bees…
Nash, Barry – Was manager of local clubs
Barry Nash (1952-2015) Barry played for Grantham United and made occasional appearances for Grantham Town, making his debut against Nuneaton Borough in May 1977. He played twice for The…
Nash, Sir Philip – From Grantham apprenticeship to many directorships
Maj Gen Sir Philip Nash (1875-1936) MAJOR-General Sir Philip Arthur Manley Nash, KCMG, CB, was the son of the Rev William Nash, Rector of Old Somerby, (including the parish…
Nauyokas, Richard – Nasty Nookie is not all bad
Richard Nauyokas (b1962) RICHARD Nauyokas sprang to fame playing himself in the TV reality series Lads Army and the sequel Bad Lads Army. Wide Westgate-born Richard – known as Nookie…
Neal, Alan – Forest fan seldom got to the City Ground
Alan Neal (1925-2011) BORN in Grantley Street, Grantham, Alan Frederick Neal was the youngest of eight children. The family worshipped at St John’s Church, and at one time his…
Neal, Norman – Advertising manager died on active service
Norman Neal (1909-1942) CQMC Norman Percy Neal was killed on active service, the first member of the Grantham Journal staff to do so. Born in Victoria Street and then…
Needham, John – part owner of Grantham newspaper
John Needham (1870-1930) Nottingham-born Joseph Henry Needham was an apprentice in the printing trade before turning his career to journalism. His first job was in Boston, then he came…
Newcome, John – Pharmacist followed in father’s footsteps
John Newcome (1871-1931) PHARMACIST John Newcome practised his art at a shop on the corner of High Street and Market Place, which a year after his death was demolished…
Newton, Isaac – ‘Idle and inattentive’ schoolboy made good
Newton, Isaac (1642-1727) THE statue to Grantham- educated mathematical and physics genius Sir Isaac Newton, on St Peter’s Hill, was unveiled in 1858. It is made from a melted…
Nicholl, Charles – Grantham head was Welsh international
Charles Nicholl (1870-1939) HEADTEACHER at the King’s School, Charles “Boomer” Bowen Nicholl was a Welsh international rugby union forward who played club rugby for Cambridge University and Llanelli. Nicholl…
Nicholson, Ian – Fifty years with Post Office
Ian Nicholson (1938-2014) Ian David Nicholson was born in Grantham, the second child of Aubrey and Doris Nicholson. The family lived on Dysart Road. He attended Earlesfield Primary School,…
Nixon, Ernie – Forest youth became a Grantham star
Ernie Nixon (b1947) BALDERTON-born Brian ‘Ernie’ Nixon became one of Grantham Town’s most popular forwards in the late 1960s to the mid-1970s. He had previously spent time at Nottingham…
Nixon, Jon – Town manager got into a ‘winning rut’
Jon Nixon (b1948) BORN at Ilkeston, Jonathan Nixon began his footballing career at Derby County and Ilkeston Town, before scoring 65 times in a total of 420 appearances for…
Noon, Joe – Lecturer could account for his popularity
Joe Noon (1922-2009) Edward Joseph Noon, was born and schooled in Sheffield and later attended De La Salle College for boys in Sheffield. He was considered to be “of…
Norris, Bob – Half of the Gingerbreads’ Deadly Duo
Bob Norris (b1949) Born at Nottingham, and an England Youth International, like his father and grandfather Bob spent time at Nottingham Forest, before moving to Mansfield Town Reserves and…
O’Connor, Rick – A founder of Radio Witham
Rick O’Connor (1958-2013) Richard John O’Connor was born in Grantham, the son of Jean O’Connor and the former cycle shop owner, Jack O’Connor. He was a member of Witham Wheelers…
O’Meara, Benny – Goalkeeper turned outfield poacher
Alan O’Meara (1958-2013) Alan O’Meara – known to everyone as ‘Benny’ – was only 54 when he died in Glenfield Hospital, Leicester. Grantham-born, Benny was always regarded as a goalkeeper…
O’Neill, Mark – expert in artificial intelligence
Mark A O’Neill (b1959) Grantham born Mark O’Neill was educated at The King’s School, Sheffield University and University College London. He is an English computational biologist with interests in…
O’Neill, Martin – Former Ireland manager cut his teeth at Grantham
Martin Hugh Michael O’Neill OBE (b1952) MARTIN Hugh Michael O’Neill OBE, is a Northern Irish football manager who cut his managerial teeth with Grantham Town. Born in Kilrea, the…
Ogden, Edwin – Planted the seeds of competion against former employer
Edwin Ogden (1861 -1936) BORN at Muston, Edwin Ogden moved to Sleaford at an early age, when his father was appointed as a coachman to seed merchant Charles Sharpe.…
Ogden, Montague – Railwayman became Grantham Mayor
Montague Ogden (1905 – 1981) A RAILWAY man, Montague Ogden was Mayor of Grantham 1966-67 and served on Kesteven County Council and was a member of the Education Committee. His wife,…
Ogilvy, James – was page to King George VI
James Donald Diarmid Ogilvy (1934 – 2004) Hon. James Donald Diarmid Ogilvy was born in 1934, the son of David Lyulph Gore Wolseley Ogilvy, 11th Earl of Airlie and…
Oldham, George – Coffin maker also fitted doors
George Oldham (1871-1940) GEORGE Andrew Oldham was an undertaker and joiner who worked in Inner Street, in a wooden building alongside Shelford’s smithy. Although his main trade was coffin…
Oliver, Dennis – the Father of Farriers
Denis Frank Oliver (1919-2018) The son of a teacher, Denis was born in Lincoln, where he went to the City School. In 1942, he graduated from the Royal Veterinary…
Otter, Anthony – Naval officer became a bishop
Anthony Otter (1896-1986) TONY Otter was the sixth Bishop of Grantham, in post from 1949 to 1965. He was educated at Repton and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he gained…
Pacey, George – Verger at St Wulfram’s for many years
George Robert Pacey (1888-1954) George Robert Pacey was verger at St Wulfram’s Church for 16 years. A bachelor, he lived with his sister, Miss S. E. Pacey, in Union…
Pacey, Herbert – Headmaster became Mayor of Grantham
Herbert Pacey (1918- 2004) HERBERT Pacey had a pretty full life in Grantham, being a headteacher, sportsman and mayor of the town. Born at Marston, he began as a teacher…
Paine, Thomas – Grantham customs officer believed in the Rights of Man
THE literary force behind the American War of Independence and inspiration of
Palmer, Carlton – International became Grantham manager
Carlton Lloyd Palmer (b1965) Carlton Lloyd Palmer is a former professional footballer, manager and football television pundit who n April 2021 was appointed manager of Grantham Town. Unfortunately, he…
Parker, Charles – Engine driver drove Robert the Devil
Charles Parker (1867-1937) Charles Parker was only 17 years of age when his father died, and he became the mainstay of the home. At the time he was employed…
Parker, Ian ‘Pugsy’ – He aired his views on air – and off!
Ian ‘Pugsy’ Parker (1955 – 2022) IAN William (Pugsy or Pugsly) Parker is one of those people whom everyone seems to know and fits the title of ‘well-known local…
Parker, Margot – Grantham-born represented the town in Europe
Margot Parker (b1943) Born in Grantham, Margot was educated at Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School and De Montfort University where she read Law. She was a group buyer for…
Parker, Walter – won his VC at Gallipoli
BORN in Agnes Street in Grantham in 1888, Marine Walter Richard Parker won a
Parkins, John – Grantham’s ‘cunning man’
John Parkins (1771-1830) In the late 1700s, a doctor called John Parkins, had received some training in the magical arts from London occultist Ebenezer Sibly. After a few years,…
