Q. I was very interested to come across your article on Raggleswood. My father, Gordon Dewey, was born at Raggleswood on 21.4.1924; his father (Frank Christy Dewey) was, according to family lore, the Isherwood’s chauffeur; his mother (Agnes Dewey) was one of the house servants. More family lore is that my grandfather raced ‘with Malcolm Campbell’, who my uncle Malcolm believes he was named after. We do not know if ‘with Malcolm Campbell’ means as a competitor, or as a member of his team. It seems too much of a coincidence that Malcolm Campbell’s parents owned Bonchester, so very close to Raggleswood. My grandfather was in the RFC and was a dispatch rider, as was Malcolm Campbell. I have a theory that my grandfather might have been in the employ of the Campbells before working for the Isherwoods, or that Malcolm Campbell found a position for one of his ex-RFC engineers with a neighbour. I would be grateful for any suggestions you could make as to possible sources of information that might add some weight to my theory.
A. Frank Christy Dewey was born 27 September 1894, in Warminster, making him 9 years younger than Malcolm Campbell. Do we know when he came to Chislehurst? 1911 census shows him where? Campbell left Bromley in 1913 for Walton-on-Thames so unlikely Dewey met Campbell here; more likely at Royal Flying Corps. Do you have any Regimental records? With the death of William Campbell (Malcolm’s father) in 1920 it is unlikely Dewey worked for Campbell’s parents in Chislehurst. Did he have any connection with Bromley Motor Works? Mr Anthony of these works was Sir Campbell’s mechanic until the appointment of Leo Villa in 1921. I’m not sure if Campbell had staff until he moved to Povey Cross post 1922. Brooklands Museum may be able to help if he raced there in his own car, but it was/is a rich man’s sport……