Extract from

Interesting Parish Link Severed

Passing of Mr. Walter Lickfold

By the death of Mr. Walter Lickfold, which occurred on Friday in last week at the age of 85 years, an interesting link with the parish has been severed. For the past 32 years the late Mr. Lickfold had suffered from total blindness, an affliction which was borne with the greatest fortitude. He was the last member of the family of John and Anna Lickfold, who came to Headley in 1827, and who opened up a business at that time, in the premises now in the occupation of Mr. L. L. Rogers, as grocer, baker and tailor.

It was Mr. John Lickfold who, prior to coming to Headley, journeyed by road from Guildford—where he was apprenticed—to measure Fauntleroy, the banker, at Curtis Farm, for a new suit of clothes, and who, upon arrival, was very much surprised to learn that the banker, who was lager hanged, had just been arrested for forgery. Mr. John’s feelings can be better imagined than described after his fruitless walk. Mr. John Lickfold had subsequently to leave the High Street owing to the termination of his lease, and he set up in business in Arford on the site of the present Wheatsheaf publichouse. In 1842 he relinquished this and took over Headley Mill, the house adjoining the mill having been built expressly for him, and there Mr. Walter Lickfold was born in 1843. Mr. John Lickfold, his father, came from Lurgashall, Sussex, in the churchyard of which parish a number of members of the family lie buried. Having settled down at the Mill, Mr. John Lickfold at a later date also took Headley Mill farm, and carried on the business of miller and farmer until his death in 1879. He was a great character in Headley and his able advice on legal and other matters was constantly sought. He filled every parish office, with the exception of that of Guardian, which he refused probably in consideration of his business. His chief position was that of Parish Constable and in the course of duty as such he was responsible for the arrest near Mr. F. Wakeford’s shop of the last man convicted for sheep stealing in Headley. An attempt was made to stab Mr. John Lickfold but he caught hold of the thief by the wrist and wrenched a formidable knife—which is now in possession of the family—from the thief. Mr. John Lickfold was in his shop in the High Street when the rioters who came from Alton Workhouse with the intention of wrecking the Headley Workhouse reached the parish. One of them went in and ordered some tobacco and Mr. John Lickfold obtained the purchase money at the point of his gun which he had loaded beside him. Very interesting old documents with huge seals attached are in the Lickfold family, whose ancestry dates back prior to the time of Queen Elizabeth.

After the death of his father, Mr. Walter Lickfold took over the reins of office and carried on the business of miller and farmer until 1889, when he gave up farming but continued to carry on at the mill which he relinquished in 1893 owing to failing eyesight. In 1900 his son, Mr. F. J. Lickfold, took over the business from his father and carried it on until 1908, when the family removed to Arford and opened up the motor and electrical business.

The late Mr. Walter Lickfold was a keen local historian and much of his interesting information with regard to parish affairs in the last century have been embodied in the late Rector’s parish historical pamphlets. Two of his brothers left England years ago for Canada, where they died: Edward, James and Fred, three other brothers, and Mrs. Emily gale and Mrs. Sarah Howard, sisters, all lie buried in the Headley churchyard. Mr. Lickfold’s jovial personality, despite his affliction, will be much missed, for nothing pleased him more than to sit by the fireside and relate events associated with the past in which he was so well known.

The funeral took place in All Saints’ Churchyard on Monday; the remains were laid to rest by the side of those of his wife. The funeral service was conducted by the Curate. The chief mourners were: Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Lickfold (son and daughter in law), Mr. and Mrs. Strugnall (brother in law and sister), Mr. Barnett (brother in law), Miss Barnett (niece), Mr. W. Chandler (nephew), Mrs. Frankland (niece) and Mrs. Harman (grandniece.) Others present were: Miss Loe, Mrs. A. A. Gamblen, Mr. G. L. C. Warren, Mr. W. Gamblen, Mr. W. Piggott, Miss Curtis, and Mrs. Bond. Among the many floral tokens were those from: Fred, Cicely and Allan; Mag and Jack; Fanny, Daisy and Walter; Elsie and Bert; Jim, Ada and family; all at the Trindrells; Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Bellenger; Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Allden; Mr. and Mrs. Percy Stonard and Dorothy E.; all at the Hawthorns and the Dairy; Mr. and Mrs. R. N. Chadwick; F. Wakeford and family; Mr. and Mrs. W. Gamblen; Mr. G. and Mr. and Mrs. Taylor (Droxford); Major J. and Mrs. Grenside Hooper; Mr. and Mrs. G. Bohanna; and others.

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