William and Sarah were married 30 April 1814 at Ightham but I have no date of birth for William.  Sarah was born 8 October 1792 and baptised 3 June 1793 at W Malling.  Her parents were John and Flora Absalom/Absolom

If anyone has any more information on the Warren/Warreners or Absaloms I would be very grateful to hear from them, thanks.

If anyone remembers us please email me at croneleigh@aol.com.    My sisters were Valli, Leslie and Julie.

I have found information which shows that William emigrated to Australia and George was a convict.  The one I am really interested in is Elizabeth, who married Francis Louis Bamberger in 1855.  We have found the usual information on Ancestry etc but I was just wondering if there are any descendants left of the other Randall children in the area.

I know Randall is a common name in Kent but fingers crossed someone may help!

If you could put my request on your web site to see if any readers have a print of the pub sign I might copy it would be a great help.

I have managed to get photos of West Malling station crest and also 85 Sqdn badge and some aerial shots of the airfield.  So if I was able to get a print of the Pub sign it would make that part of my memoirs look better with a picture instead of just writing about a place.

Thanking you in anticipation

The Woods or Woodens of The Laurels by Shona Maloney  (Australia)

My great grandfather, Harry Baker received many postcards (one dated 1921) from relatives, a family by the name of Woods or Wooden who lived at "The Laurels" West Malling.  Em Woods or Wooden, Charlie and Ted.  Can anyone help me with information about this family?

RAF West Malling WW2 pub research by Jeremy Swanson  (Canada)

Good day, I am in research for a very important family related project and it involves (believe it or not) trying to find out what pubs were around and popular with the non-commissioned ranks at RAF West Malling during WW2-especially ground crew-aircraft mechanics.

I need to know not only which ones were used but also which ones were the most popular and any other WW2 related info on them I can get.  An important note is that I am particularly keen on finding out if any of them survive today as pubs - or in any other form.  Can anyone help me?

Looking for Old Play Mates by David Underwood

My name is David Underwood.  I grew up in West Malling.  I lived with my grand parents, their name was Norris.  First in a shop in the High St  which is now the assembly rooms but in1943 when I was born it was my grand fathers hardware shop.  On his retirement we moved to a cottage in Swan St on the corner of Police Station Rd, opposite the Kent Arms, now the Lobster Pot

I often go back to West Malling but hardly see any one I know, so does any one remember me or can tell me what happened to Brian Fisher, Brian Large, David and Peter Holmes, Tony Foreman and Billy Blake, all my old play mates?   I lost touch after joining the merchant navy then the army.

The Bardens of West Malling by Sheila, John & Family

I am hoping someone can help me.  In the 1851 census my g/g/grandparents Edward & Mary Barden ( nee Daw) were living in Swan Street,West Malling with their children, one of them being my g/grandfather.  I am looking to find out if they were married in West Malling approx 1835  & if any other Bardens remain in the town.  I think their son Edward may have died as a youngster, was buried in West Malling.  I am hoping to find some dates & places to go forward.

Hope someone can help me.  Thanking you, Sheila.

George William Banham by Martin Banham

My great-grandfather, George William Banham, died in West Malling in 1881, aged 26.  He was described as a 'Scripture Reader'.  My recollection as a child was that my father showed me a newspaper clipping containing obituary comments on George William, referring to his work with young people and - possibly! - a cocoa house.  Family lore is that he wished to train as a missionary.   My grandfather was born at Town Hill, West Malling, on 13th October 1878.

Can anyone offer any links ?

John George Cruwys by Judith Bowen (nee Cruwys)

My ancestor, John George Cruwys, was born on 12/11/1824, and today I learned that he was born in Town Malling!  What a lovely surprise your website turn out to be!!  The photographs are just beautiful and I am looking forward to visiting your town on my next visit to England.

I have reached a stage in my research where further progress has become very difficult because his birth is prior to 1837.  Can any local family history historian be able to help me?

The Colegate Family by Stephen Mills

I wonder if anybody can help with research into my family history concerning the Colegate family from the West Malling area.  My great-grandmother was Harriet Colegate who was born in East Malling in 1875.  She moved to Tunbridge Wells in the late 1890s and married James Henry Richardson there in 1902.  She died in 1963.

Harriet’s parents were Thomas and Harriet Colegate.  Thomas was born in West Malling in 1842 and Harriet in East Malling in 1844.  As well as their daughter Harriett, they had six other children – Elizabeth, Richard, Alice, Ellen, George and Allen – born between 1867 and 1887 in West and East Malling.  Thomas was an agricultural labourer and later a gardener and his family lived at various addresses in the West Malling area.   According to the 1881 census, they were living at Springetts Hill, East Malling, but by the 1891 census had moved to 81 Alma Road, West Malling.  I think Thomas died in 1894 and his wife Harriett in 1899.

I believe Thomas’s parents were William and Elizabeth Colegate.  William was born in 1819 in Leybourne and Elizabeth in Mereworth in 1817.  They had eight children, including Thomas – the others were Ellen, Harriett, Ann, William, Henry, Alice and John.  They were born between 1840 and 1859, all in West Malling, apart from the eldest Ellen, who was born in Mereworth.  William was an agricultural labourer like his son and lived at various addresses in West Malling.   In 1851 the family was living at 15 Offham Road and by 1861 had moved to 183 Brick Yard.  I believe William died in 1898.

I would be particularly interested to find out the maiden names of Thomas and William’s wives and when and where the couples married.

I attach a picture of my great-grandmother Harriet which sparked my interest in my family history. We believe it was taken around 1900.

Alfred Harrington by Kevin Harrington

My great grandfather, Alfred Harrington, used to own and run the grocer's, Harrington's, in West Malling.

Alfred Harrington was a shopkeeper and grocer with a shop and house at 23 High Street, West Malling, Kent.    I believe the shop, named Harrington's, was in the High Street from the 1890s to at least the 1920s.

Alfred Harrington was married to Rhoda (b1866 in Tiverton, Devon) and they had three (possibly four) children:  Stanley Chanin Harrington (b1893 in Burgess Hill, Sussex), Gordon R Harrington (b1896 in Addlestone, Surrey) and Alfred J Harrington (b1898 in West Malling, Kent).

Alfred J Harrington subsequently married Leonora Sales (daughter of Richard Sales).   They had one child, Donald Alfred Harrington (b1923 West Malling, Kent).   Donald Alfred Harrington was my father.

I am keen to trace any information that would help me develop my family history.  If anyone with any information could email me it would be most appreciated.

Tales of the unexpected by Martyn de Young

Age Concern Malling have recently taken over one of the shops in the small parade at the junction of Norman Road and High Street.   I remember one of the shops in the parade being the location (as an antique shop) of an episode of Roald Dahl’s “Tales of the Unexpected” in about 1979/80.   I think it was the same shop we are now using, but does anyone know if that can be confirmed, and what episode it was ( I don’t remember the story – just the shop front!)?

Caroline Saunders by Roy Bailey

I am researching my family's history, and the World War I records of one of my ancestors, Harry Bailey of Burnham (Bucks), indicate that he was married at Malling Register Office on 17 Feb 1915 to Caroline Saunders of 14 Church Fields, West Malling.  The bride's father was Thomas Saunders (deceased) who had been a bricklayer's labourer.  Caroline was a general domestic servant and Harry a chauffeur (domestic).

I would be interested to find out the identity of the family for whom Caroline was working, and any other relevant information, and would be grateful for any local assistance.

William Walter Driver by Sue Sibley

William Walter Driver was my grandfather and grew up in the West Malling area in the late 1800s'.  He lived at the five bells St Leonard street with his grandparents Walter and Mary Driver.

Walter and Mary's children were a son, also named Walter, and daughters Eliza (I think Eliza married a Thomas Morgan) Emily, Harriet and Mary.

My grandfather, William , married my grandmother -Caroline May Eliza Cradduck in the 1920's and they lived in the Snodland area.  They had two children, Walter and Dora( my mother).  My grandfather died when my mother was very young and and my grandmother died when Dora was only 9.

I am hoping that maybe any descendants of Walter and Mary's children may have knowledge of my grandfather and maybe even a picture of him?   If so please e-mail me.  Thank you.

Air Navigation Office by Bob Smith

I was attached to the Air Navigation Office at the United States Naval Air Facility on The RAF base at West Malling from September 1963 through July 1964.

I have many fond memories of my short tour of duty there.  I developed a respect and love for the English people that endures to this day.  You treated us 'Yanks" extremely good. This was my best tour of duty in my 21 years in the Navy.

Thank you,  Bob Smith, Senior Chief Petty Officer, U. S. Navy (Retired)  P.S. I am not the same Bob Smith that previously corresponded with you.

Gower Family

I wonder if anyone has any information on my grandparents, who lived at 75, The Bank, West Malling , surname Gower ?

Sir Robert Brett by Robin Phillips

I am researching my family history (from Australia) and find a note that my Gtx10 Uncle was Sir Robert Brett of Malling Abbey and buried at West Malling.  He was "Gentleman Usher of the Privy Chamber to King James" and died in 1620.

If anyone can give me any information on Sir Robert, or possibly confirm if he is buried at West Malling, I would be most grateful.

Update: Many thanks for your action as Phyll Stevens has replied giving me all the information I need on Sir Robert, who was buried inside the church at West Malling.  Robin Stevens is sending me a photo of the tomb next week.  So this is just to let you know that your system works !!   Thank you very much, Best Regards, Robin Phillips.

King Hill Hostel by Carole Dalton

I am trying to find out about "King Hill" hostel, as my late mother was a resident there in 1951.  I believe that in 1952 it was ruled that residents could only stay for a maximum period of three months.   At this time my mother had a 15 month old son, who she put up for a "private fostering".  On his birth certificate it states his address as King Hill, West Malling.

If anyone knows anything about King Hill, no matter how trivial, I'd love to know.

Douce's Manor, 1990 by Paul Brown

I was very interested to view your website, which I found in a search at Google for Douce's Manor.  My interest in West Malling and the manor house goes back to 1990 when I worked as a training officer for Commercial Union.  At the time the Company owned Douce's manor and used it as a training centre for our staff.  My job was to run week-long residential training courses for our sales people and I have many happy memories of working in such a splendid environment

One of my most pleasant duties was showing new employees around the establishment and of particular interest was the 'Twitch Cellar' as it was known to us.  The story I had been told (and subsequently recounted to all our new sales people during my 'tour') was that the signatures on the ceiling were written by fighter pilots who held a candle between their toes.  I have always thought this would have been a difficult task and I would be very interested if the story could be verified.  My main interest however is in establishing the current ownership of the house.  I now live in Lincolnshire but I'm planning a trip down to Kent and would very much like to see the house again if this is possible.  I would be grateful for any information you could give me about it and I look forward very much to hearing from you.

Reply by Ron Lee

Hi Paul, saw your entry on the West Malling website.  I did my National Service at RAF West Malling, little expecting to spend my last 17 years with CU working at Douces Manor.  I went there soon after it opened in 1978, my evening CII class teaching at Wolverhampton having marked me as a possible tutor.  I subsequently swapped to providing written training material, explaining both the new computer system and trying to simplify complicated policy wordings.  I retired in 1995 and worked part time for a further 16 months on a special project (that was subsequently scrapped!).

The Manor was closed soon after the Norwich Union merger (takeover?) and has stood empty ever since.  The main building is currently being converted to luxury apartments, and upmarket houses have been built in the old walled garden.  One of these was in last week's local paper for £860,000.  The Twitch Inn is being preserved and the local History Society will have access to it via the outside door.  Who was the manager when you worked there? Reg Kemp went in the mass clearout in 1983 and was replaced by firstly John McBrien and then Ray Thorn.  Hope this is of some interest, Ron Lee.

Memories of Annie Couchman 1897 - 1990.   An introduction by her great-nephew, Chris Longdon,  Chippenham, Wiltshire.

On June 2004, my wife and I were on our way from Chippenham in Wiltshire to Dover to catch the ferry at the start of a touring holiday in Germany. As we were passing close to West Malling, we stopped off at the cemetery to place some flowers on the grave of Annie Couchman who was my maternal great aunt.  More ...

West Malling, 1965 to 1989 by Graham Warner

I remember fondly life in West Malling, during the period 1965 to 1989.  My grandad Jim Warner ran the greengrocer shop on the A20 next to what was then the telephone exchange.  We lived in a large house opposite the shop called Villa Suecia (after a place my grandad stayed in Spain).  The land all 10 acres known as brickfields was where my grandad grew all the produce to sell in the shop, from apples to pears, plums, strawberries to potatoes he grew the lot.  He used to tell me stories of him cycling up to R.A.F West Malling on his bike with an ice cream churn on the front during the hot summer months of World War II to sell ice creams to all the pilots and crew stationed there.  More ...

Remember Margaret Crowhurst or Margaret Shirley? by Gillian [Boughton] Crowther

I used to live at 8 Churchfields in the 1950's.   Through the years after moving to Canada we have lost touch with old friends, I'd like to locate Margaret Crowhurst, or Margaret Shirley,both old school friends.   Thanks  Gillian [Boughton]  Crowther.

Update: A cousin phoned to tell me about the message from Gillian Crowther nee Boughton. I have made contact with her and we have started to catch up on the missing years.  Many thanks...Margaret Crowhurst

US Navy Squadron by Bob Smith, US Navy retired

In 1959-1961 I was in the US Navy Squadron Fasron Special 200.  We moved our squadron from Blackbushe Aerodrome near Camberley, Surrey to share the RAF Squadron at West Malling.  West Malling was a quaint little village then and the yanks were readily accepted.   I have always wanted to make a trip back to see what changes had taken place, but somehow never made it.

I am retired now and have the time, but health problems make it still a far reach.   I would like to extend my thanks to all of the people that resided in  West Malling at the time I was there for making my stay so enjoyable.

Remember Elizabeth Mary Joan Ballard? by Carol Ballard

I am looking for Auntie Betty (Daughter of Henry Edward Ballard & Queenie Janet Victoria Ballard (formerly Still))

Elizabeth Mary Joan Ballard was born on the 5th October 1925 at 9 Council Cottages, near West Malling, near Maidstone.  Elizabeth, also know as "Betty" was in the Maidstone Corps, Canterbury Division, in 1942.  She married David John Clarke of 31 School Lane, Eaton Bray, Dunstable on the 8th September 1951 at All Saint's Church Maidstone.  They made home at "Rose Cottage" 9 Padsole Lane, Maidstone.   Their daughter Janet Mary Ann was born at the cottage on the 14th July 1953.

My father Leonard Edward Ballard lost contact with his family when he emigrated to the USA in the early 1960s. I've never met my Auntie Betty and would love to hear from her or anyone who remembers her.  These photographs from 1942 and 1951 may prompt some memories. Update: Auntie Betty now found.

Church Fields by Chris Lane

I used to live at number 9 Church Fields back in the 80's.  I used to go to school at More Park and was there when the strong winds almost blew over a tree on to our class room.  My mum used to do a sort of village fete which the whole town got involved in, everyone helped each other.  I have vague images of the airbase.  Haven't been there for a while but I will soon.   I still wonder if my friend Jack Budgin lives there still.   I will always have fond memories of West Malling.

Malling Memories by Richard West

I used to live in Alma Road at its junction with Fartherwell Avenue.   Strangely the house started life as number 81 but sometime during the 1960’s it was renumbered to 33. My late parents moved into what was a brand new house in November 1948 when I was about six/seven weeks old.  More...

Update: I have read the above by Richard. I worked at Leybourne Grange Hospital at the same time as Richard and would like to make contact with him. Many thanks, David (New Zealand)

Pre-war Memories by Skip Topley

We lived in West Malling.  First I remember is a garage on the A20 on the right going to Sevenoaks,  then on the High Street my dad opened the fish and chip shop and green grocers on the High Street between the pub and the old fire station.  My dad drove the fire engine during the war.  After the war we moved to Deal  then to Folkestone.