Person Page - 209

     Granville Henry Blenkinsopp was born on 2 November 1926 in Doncaster, Yorkshire, England.² He was the son of Thomas Henry Blenkinsopp and Edith S Hirst. Unhappy at the prospect of a life down the mines Granville joined the Guards, serving in Germany at the tail end of the war. In 1946 he was stationed at the Tower of London and went to a dance with some friends and there he met Gwen and fell in love.¹ Granville proposed three times and Gwen turned him down on each occasion. But when the Guards were due to be posted he asked her father for her hand and she at last accepted his proposal before Granville was posted abroad.¹ He married Gwendoline M Thomas in 1948 in St Peter, Wapping, London, England.^1,3 After his discharge Granville joined the Surrey Police and the couple moved to Godalming, living for 10 years in Cliff Road.¹ In 1959 the family moved to Wonersh, where Granville became the first resident policeman. He was based in Wonersh for 16 years until his retirement in 1978. Blenk as he was known enjoyed his time in Wonersh and was content to remain a constable. He played bowls with the Wonersh Bowls club.¹¹ Granville and Gwendoline spent their Golden Wedding Anniversary enjoying a short break on the Isle of Wight, where they met up with Gwen's bridesmaid. Later they had a family celebration meal.¹ He died in January 2004 in Surrey, England, at age 77 from cancer.⁴ A bench was placed around the Wonersh Bowling Green with a plaque in loving memory of Granville 'Blenk' Blenkinsopp.⁵

     Gwendoline M Thomas was born in 1929 in Stepney, London, England, her mothers maiden name was Lightfoot.^1,2 Granville proposed three times and Gwen turned him down on each occasion. But when the Guards were due to be posted he asked her father for her hand and she at last accepted his proposal before Granville was posted abroad.¹ She married Granville Henry Blenkinsopp, son of Thomas Henry Blenkinsopp and Edith S Hirst, in 1948 in St Peter, Wapping, London, England.^1,3 After his discharge Granville joined the Surrey Police and the couple moved to Godalming, living for 10 years in Cliff Road.¹ In 1959 the family moved to Wonersh, where Granville became the first resident policeman. He was based in Wonersh for 16 years until his retirement in 1978. Blenk as he was known enjoyed his time in Wonersh and was content to remain a constable. He played bowls with the Wonersh Bowls club.¹¹ Granville and Gwendoline spent their Golden Wedding Anniversary enjoying a short break on the Isle of Wight, where they met up with Gwen's bridesmaid. Later they had a family celebration meal.¹ Her husband Granville died in January 2004 in Surrey, England.⁴ She died in October 2016 in Surrey, England.⁵

     Nellie Denny was born circa 1889. She married Alexander Maxwell Simmonds, son of William Simmonds and Harriett Raggett, on 5 September 1912 in St Mark, Camberwell, London, England, after the banns had been read. The ceremony was witnessed by Henry Murphy and Amy Murphy. Alexander was a time keeper and his father William Simmonds a skin dresser. Nellie's father was Richard Griffith Denny, he was deceased and had worked as an ostler. Both Alexander and Nellie gave their address as 17 Sedan Street.¹

     Henry Murphy was born circa 1889. He married Amelia Catherine Simmonds, daughter of William Simmonds and Harriett Raggett, on 25 October 1911 in St Philip the Apostle, Camberwell, London, England, after the banns had been read. The ceremony was witnessed by George Edward Russell and Elizabeth Russell. Henry was an omnibus conductor and his father Robert Murphy a plasterr. Amelia's father William Simmonds was a fur skin dresser. Both Henry and Amelia gave their address as 6 Bowles Road.¹

     William Charles Chapple Norton was born in 1833.¹ He was the son of George Chapple Norton and Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Sheridan.¹ He died in 1842 in Wakefield, Yorkshire, England, after a fall from his horse when he cut his arm and developed tetanus.^1,2

     Richard Gwynn was born circa 1630.¹ Richard bought a farm house near St John the Baptist Church in Wonersh and soon started extended it.² He died on 12 November 1701 He died without heirs and left all his property to his niece Susanna who married Richard Clifton.¹ He was buried in November 1701 in St John the Baptist, Wonersh, Surrey, England, His tomb was near the South wall and bore this inscription: ‘Here lyeth the body of Mr Richard Gwinn, citizen of London who departed this life the 12^th day of November in the year of our Lord 1701 and in the 72^nd year of his age. And among the rest of his charities he hath left to this parish that twelve fourpenny loaves should be given to twelve poor people on every Sunday forever; and also schooling for six boys forever. In all he hath left twenty pounds a year to continue forever for the bread and for the schooling.’.¹