Ancestor Gallery

Sir J Gordon Sprigg

Sir J Gordon Sprigg. Part of Box 104 Boswell Collection. Sprigg was born in Ipswich, England, into a strongly Puritan family. His father was a pastor and his strictly conservative up-bringing had a lifelong effect on Sprigg's values (until the end of his life, one of Sprigg's proudest claims was that his ancestor had been one of Oliver Cromwell's chaplains).In 1869, he became the member of the Cape Parliament for East London. Date: circa 1900s

© The Boswell Collection, Bexley Heritage Trust / Mary Evans

Charles Robert Spencer, 6th Earl Spencer

Charles Robert Spencer, sixth Earl Spencer (1857 - 1922), before that Viscount Althorp until he succeeded to the title in 1910, British courtier and Liberal politician. He was Lord Chamberlain from 1905 to 1912 in the Liberal administrations headed by Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman and H. H. Asquith. He was great-grandfather of Diana, Princess of Wales and consequently, great-great grandfather of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry. Date: 1913

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

British patients with Quex cannon collection

Four Imperial VAD hospital patients standing by some of the cannon collection in Quex Park. At the time of the First World War these were grouped in front of the Round Tower on the Quex Park estate. The men are wearing the hospital uniform of Imperial patients - called hospital blues it comprised blue serge jacket and trousers, white shirt and red tie. The men are also wearing scarves or mufflers. The cannon collection was created by John Powell Powell (1769-1849), an ancestor of Major Percy Powell-Cotton. The Quex Park VAD Hospital opened on 15 October 1914 and closed on 31 January 1919. The hospital was run by Kent/178, the Birchington Detachment. The Commandant was Hannah Powell-Cotton (1881-1964), wife of Major Percy HG Powell-Cotton (1866-1940) of Quex Park, founder of the Powell-Cotton Museum. Date: circa 1916

© The Powell-Cotton Museum Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library