People

Martha Bennett

In magazine 34, Susan Martin wrote about her research into her great great grandmother, Martha Bennett (1821 - 1888)

Oliver John Bevis

In magazine 38 James Munden wrote about his great-grandmothers brother, the local artist O J Bevis (1865 – 1934)

Mavis Budd

Mavis Budd (1926 – 2004) was an author and an artist, remembered fondly by Griff Rhys Jones as his favourite teacher at Conifers School. In magazine 38, Dawn Cansfield reveals more about this exceptionally talented lady

Anne Cobden Sanderson

Anne Cobden (1853 – 1926) was the fourth daughter of the radical Member of Parliament and free trade advocate Richard Cobden. In an article in magazine 37, historian Frances Stenlake told us more about the life of this suffragette

Reverend Joseph King Cummin

In magazine 38, Andreya Cameron wrote about her research into the Reverend King Cummin (1841 – 1918) the Vicar of Easebourne between 1892 and 1912

The Cummins Sisters

Researcher Frances Stenlake produced an article on the Easebourne Suffragettes Vinvela, Elsie and Louisa (Louie) Cummins, sisters and daughters of the Reverend King Cummin.  The first part of the story in magazine 36 described their times as members of the suffragette movement and Frances finished the story in magazine 37 by telling us what happened next

Macdonald ‘Max’ Gill

Max Gill (1884 – 1947) was a Sussex artist who is mainly remembered for the beautiful maps that he developed, and in magazine 38, Andrew Johnstone tells us about his life and his other work, including the development of the font for Commonwealth War Graves

Commander Norman Holbrook VC

In magazine 40, Trevor Torkington, Deputy Editor of the Great War Group’s quarterly magazine 'Salient Points' and leading expert on WW1 submarines wrote about the extraordinary events that led to Norman Holbrook becoming the first submariner to win the Victoria Cross

Wing Commander Bernard Ingham DFC

Bernard Ingham (1920 – 1947) is buried in the Glaziers Lane Cemetery in Easebourne.  In 1942 he won the Distinguished Flying Cross before being transferred to the Goodwood airfield (which was then known as RAF Westhampnett) escorting daylight bombing raids over Europe.  Military enthusiasts Phil Stringer and David Coxon explored the life of this Second World War hero in magazine number 38.

Philip Jackson

Philip is a world-famous sculpture and President of the Midhurst Society.  Sue Balmforth wrote about a Midhurst Society visit to Philip and his wife Jean’s beautiful garden in Cocking in Magazine 34

Charles Lyell

Sir Charles Lyell, 1st Baronet (14 November 1797 – 22 February 1875) was a Scottish geologist who studied at Midhurst Grammar School (allegedly because the waiting list at Winchester was too long!).  Charles Lyell is best known for his association with Charles Darwin.  Harvey Tordoff wrote an article for magazine 39 of the Midhurst Journal

Charles Madgwick

Charles Madgwick (1804 – 1866) was born in Midhurst and in 1845 found himself transported to Tasmania on the prison hulk ship Theresa for stealing bushels of wheaten flour and a great coat.  His story was told by researcher Andreya Cameron in magazine 38

George Marshall

Cocking resident George Marshall (1855 – 1876) had spent the evening at a beer house in Midhurst drinking with his friend Thomas Woolford.  Researcher David Earley tells a tale in magazine 37 of them falling out and Woolford being sentenced to 15 years in penal servitude for his manslaughter.

Sir Weetman Pearson, First Viscount Cowdray

We were delighted to include an article in magazine 40 by Lord Michael Pearson, the Fourth Viscount Cowdray, about his local hero, his great grandfather Sir Weetman Pearson, the famous industrialist, politician and philanthropist

Sheila Ryan QC CBE

In magazine 37, Tina Litchfield had the pleasure of interviewing Sheila for an article on her life in the law, the church and in Bepton

Ian Serraillier

Ian Serraillier (1912 - 1994) was a much loved teacher at Midhurst Grammar School between 1946 and 1961 who also wrote and produced books of fiction, non-fiction and poetry.  One of his most famous books was The Silver Sword (1956) which brought him national attention when it was adapted by the BBC for a six-part dramatization.  Dawn Cansfield researched and wrote about Ian Serrallier in magazine 39

William Shorto

William Shorto was a solicitor in Midhurst in the nineteenth century and left a notebook with lots of notes detailing what he thought about the people who lived in Midhurst!  Shorto takes us on a journey in 1863 from house to house and from street to street letting us know who lived there and what he thought of them!  His notebook was published in two instalments, in magazine 35 and magazine 36

John Smith

One of the most important photographic collections held at the West Sussex Record Office is the John Smith Photographic Collection. Spanning the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, it provides a fascinating insight in the life of the leisured middle classes, as well as an important visual record of parts of West Sussex and the lives of those who lived and worked there. In addition, it provides an insight into the development of the art and science of photography during the period. John Smith visited Midhurst in 1895 and in magazine 40 we published a selection of his photographs of the town

Charles St. John

Charles St. John was educated at Midhurst Grammar School.  In 1834 he married Ann Gibson, the daughter of a rich banker in Newcastle, and they moved to The Scottish Highlands where they raised their growing family.  He published a number of natural history books from his own observations and experiences in Scotland – but perhaps receiving inspiration originally during his schooldays in Midhurst

Madge Turner

Madge Turner was a leading member of the Suffragette movement. In magazine 40, West Sussex Record Office Archivist Nichola Court told us more about her and her links to the Midhurst area

H G Wells

The novelist H G Wells had an association with Midhurst which started in 1881 when he became an apprentice with the chemist Samual Cowap on Church Hill, a job that was to last for about three weeks.  He took some night classes with Horace Byatt, the new headmaster of Midhurst Grammar School, before officially joining the school as a pupil-teacher and living at Byatt's house at 6 South Street.  In 1883, the 17-year-old Wells came back to Midhurst Grammar School as a student assistant, and in his autobiography, he tells of “lodging over a little sweetstuff shop” (The Olde Tea Shoppe) next door to the Angel Hotel.  Much information has been written about H G Wells and one of the popular websites is for the HG Wells Society http://hgwellssociety.com/

John West

On the night of Monday 8th/9th January 1844, John West, aged 35, and his younger brother Robert, 22, were held in the two police cells under Midhurst Town Hall. They were being held in custody on the extremely serious charge of sheep stealing, a crime which saw them transported to Tasmania for 15 years. Dr Gillian Grant wrote about her great great grandfather in magazine 40

William Wills

Researcher Andreya Cameron wrote about William Wills (1862 – 1924) who was a distinguished London physician before moving to Midhurst where he became a prominent member of the community.  In magazine 39, Andreya tells us about his impact on the district and the impact his work had on improving infant mortality