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.
