Sturminster Newton Town Criers, Sergeants at Mace and Bill Posters

Sturminster Newton Town Criers

1790 - Robert ROLFE - Nothing found

1859 - Thomas INKPEN - was it Thomas born at Sturminster in 1797 to Thomas and Ann Inkpen. In 1851 he was working there as a gardener, but by 1861 had moved away working in Surrey ?

1889 - 1915 Thomas INKPEN born at Sturminster in 1850 son of William a sawyer and Ann Inkpen. Married Louisa KNOTT at Sturminster in 1869 and when she died in 1906 he then married Alice C EYERS at Blandford in 1915. Worked as a sawyer and later as a bill poster - the latter job is often linked to Town Crier. He died at Sturminster in July 1922.

1920 - 1939 maybe longer - Henry J INKPEN born at Sturminster in 1880 son of Thomas and Louisa above. Married Florence E CLARK at Motcombe in 1902 and when she died in 1930 he married Daisy M CHINN at Sturminster in 1936. Was a carpenter / joiner in 1911 but became Town Crier and bill poster by 1920 and was listed as such in the pre war 1939 census - did he continue after that ? He died at Sturminster in June 1947.

2001 - 2018 Kevin K KNAPP born Bristol 1964 married Melanie G GOFF in 1990. She was a talented seamstress and, apart from his hat and gloves, she made his Town Crier's outfit from scratch in 2000 - described as a larger than life character he performed the role for 18 years until his untimely death in October 2018.