Famous Forebears

Some of Godalmings famous sons and daughters.

John George Phillips 1886-1912
Sometimes known as Jack, he was first educated at Farncombe school and then the old Grammar School in Godalming Town. He moved from there to his first position in his working life at the Post Office. Phillips progressed to Chief Marconi Officer on "RMS Titanic" which was sunk on her maiden voyage after a collision with an iceberg on 15th April 1912. Chief Officer Phillips stayed at his post sending out the signal CQD (at that time the conventional distress call). At the suggestion of the Captain he switched to the new code of SOS which had been agreed at an International Convention so that at 12.45 am that call went out for the first time, making maritime history. (Phillips is alleged to have joked that it would probably be the last time he would use it.) There is a memorial tablet to his memory in Farncombe Church where he sang in the choir. The Phillips Memorial Cloister in the Phillips Memorial Grounds commemorates his bravery.

Gertrude Jekyll 1843-1932
Miss Jekyll was born into a cultured and artistic family in 1843. At 17 years of age she entered the Kensington School of Art, and there her talents as a craftswoman and painter were developed. Harry Mangles of Thursley was responsible for the meeting between the young architect Edwin Lutyens and Miss Jekyll. An invitation to tea at Munstead was the beginning of a successful partnership in the design of elegant houses and well designed gardens, and the creation of her own beautiful home "Munstead Wood". She died in 1932 Sir Edwin Lutyens's memorial over her grave in Busbridge Churchyard has the simplicity she would have approved: "Gertrude Jekyll, Artist, Gardener, Craftswoman".

James Edward Oglethorpe 1696-1785
Born in 1696, he grew up to be both soldier and politician, and eventually squire of Westbrook which he inherited in 1718. At 25 he became a candidate for Parliament. Probably the most outstanding result of this period was Oglethorpe's determination to do something for the many people who suffered under oppression: the prisoners in London gaols. It was on 6th November 1732 that the first group of men, women and children, comprising around 120 in all, embarked with Oglethorpe for America and the colony to be called Georgia. This was the first of several sailings.

Sir Edward Farquhar Buzzard Bart, KCVO, MA, HON LLD, FRCP Physician 1871-1945
Born in London the son of a doctor. Educated at Charterhouse and Magdalene College Oxford, Sir Edward had a long and distinguished career in medicine, being consultant to various hospitals including St. Thomas's Hospital in London . A regular member of the team of doctors who were in attendance to King George V and also his son George VI. Sir Edward and Lady Farquhar made their home at Munstead Grange.

Julius Caesar 1830-1878
The seventh and last child born to Benjamin and Ann Caesar, grew up in an atmosphere of cricket. For 24 years he was associated with cricket in Godalming; he played for Surrey and England. A founder member of Broadwater Cricket Club.

Aldous Huxley 1894-1963
Author of Brave New World was born in Peperharow Road Godalming and buried with his parents at Compton Cemetery behind the Watts Chapel.
www.somaweb.org/w/huxbio.html

The Reverend Henry Meredith Larner MA
He was educated at St Pauls School, London, following on to Cambridge University and then Cambridge Clergy Training College. He also studied medicine for three years, 1894-1897, and was ordained priest in 1891. The definitive work on the Busbridge area was the result of the research he undertook whilst in office there. "Busbridge, Godalming, Surrey. A History: Ancient and Modern" was published in 1947.

Lieutenant-General Alderman Sir Frederick Marshall KCMG
The third son of George and Sarah Marshall, he had a distinguished military career. He joined the 10th Hussars in India as a Lieutenant but soon transferred to the Kings Dragoon Guards as aide-de-camp and Master of the Horse to the Earl of Carlisle in Ireland.

Archibald Thorburn 1860-1935
The distinguished bird artist lived at High Leybourne, Hascombe. Towards the end of each year he produced as a regular event his "Christmas Number". This was a print of one of his lovely bird paintings measuring 11" x 1 5" and mounted on black card. His pictures were exhibited at the Royal Academy. Among his many clients he was honoured with the patronage of King George V.

Wilfrid Noyce 1917-1962
His role in the successful ascent of Mt Everest in 1953 is fully documented in his book "South Col". It was in 1962 that he set out on the last fatal expedition, the British-Soviet climb in the Pamirs. Wilfrid Noyce died as the result of an accident on the mountain following the successful ascent of Mt Garmo in the Pamirs.
http://imagingever....org/Units/61.html

Peter Warlock (Philip Arnold Heseltine,) 1894 - 1930
Composer author and poet. Educated at Eton where his musical interests were encouraged by a sympathetic piano teacher, Colin Taylor. In 1911 he attended a concert of Delius's music and met the composer, an event which was to have a lasting effect on him. Over the next seven years Delius was Warlock's mentor as well as a regular correspondent for the rest of his life.


Find out more about our famous forebears at the Godalming Museum Website:

Link :Godalming Museum
http://www.godalmi...?categoryID=200129