Joe Clough was an early immigrant from Jamaica, who became London's first black motorbus driver, an ambulance driver in the First World War, a driver for the National Omnibus Company in Bedford and latterly a...
Richard Wildman was an authority on the history of Bedford and the author of numerous local history books. He made a significant contribution to local art, historical, heritage and conservation societies, including Bedford Art Society...
Private Matthew Clay was one of the few heroic defenders who held the strategically important walled farm of Chateau Hougoumont at Quatre-Bras on the battlefield of Waterloo against repeated attacks by French troops. He kept...
Up to four separate police forces served Bedfordshire during Queen Victoria’s reign, as boroughs became incorporated: Bedford Borough Police Force – established in 1836, policing the Borough of Bedford. Bedfordshire Police Force – established in 1840, initially...
Bedford County Gaol was built on Dovecote Close (between Tavistock Street & Dame Alice Street) owned by the Duke of Bedford, who sold it for 10/-. John Wing, a local builder and architect, drew up...
On the evening of the 17th July 1883, a small party was playing tennis on the private courts in a small paddock at the rear of The Ship public house in St. Cuthbert’s Street. The...