Obituary: MR L. M. Biden MR. A. S. Lamprey

PLATE VIII LEWIS MARKS BIDEN. ( 181 ) 1 M I- IX G*z£ ^c*x~~fa*%*t-~j ARTHUR SYDNEY LAMPREY. M.A . F.S.A OBITUARY. 183 later he went to Maidstone Grammar School and in 1909 he came to Ashford as Headmaster of the Grammar School, which he raised to a point of great success both in numbers, keenness and character. With his work as a volunteer, O.T.C. officer and in all athletic matters we are hardly concerned, but he was singularly successful in all that he undertook. As an Antiquary we are more concerned with his work. Here, like all he did, the energetic, kindly, virile man stood out. He did much towards the preservation of the Archbishop's Manor at Maidstone, and it was largely through his efforts that the ancient tithebarn in the same place was purchased. He wrote the book for Maidstone Pageant, in 1906, and edited the Corporation Guides for the same town. Papers on Wm. WooUett, the Kentish engraver, and on many other county antiquarian subjects. When he came to Ashford he took up with active interest the preservation of the Old Grammar School big room, which was purchased as a Memorial Hall to the late Dr. Wilkes, of Ashford. But his chief work of late years was the collection, sorting and indexing the Place Names of Kent. To this he devoted all the time that his fully-occupied life permitted, and quite recently he told the writer that the completion of what must have been a tedious task was in sight. It was on this work chiefly, although his other researches were weU-known, that he was elected unanimously a FeUow of the Society of Antiquaries. These other lines of work were connected with mediaeval timber buildings and general research. He wrote both for the English and American antiquarian world. He was a member of our own and of the South Kent Antiquarian Societies, and was elected on to the Council of the former some few years ago. Of the man himself it is easy to speak. Big, hearty, cheerful, he was an asset in any company, and in any company he could converse easily, as his store of knowledge was large and freely imparted. His influence was always good and the character he implanted in his scholars was of the best, so that, whilst under him, they respected him, and in after years developed an affection for the man, which was thoroughly 184 OBITUARY. deserved. He was buried in Mersham Churchyard, a place for which he had much liking, as Sir Norton KnatchbuU of Mersham Hatch was the founder of the Ashford Grammar School. The sympathies of the K.A.S., and more particularly of his fellow members of the Council, wiU be felt for Mrs. Lamprey and family in their loss. Ante diem periit, sed non sine honore. F.W.C.