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People of historical note buried in the borough M to Z

Although this is quite a comprehensive list of people of note, it is not necessarily complete. If you have any suggestions for additions or alterations to this list, please contact the Cemetery Office.

You may also wish to view our list of holders of the Victoria Cross.

Burials by surname M-Z
Surname First name(s) Born Died Buried Further information
Mackay Fulton 1922 1987 East Sheen Cemetery, Section J, grave number 187 Fulton MacKay was a Scottish Actor - best known for his part in the sitcom 'Porridge', and the spin-off film 'Fraggle Rock'. He was born in Paisley in Renfrewshire. He trained as a quantity surveyor, and during the War, served with the Black Watch. When he was demobilised, he decided to become an actor and trained at RADA. A Hybrid tea rose has been named after him. He was married to the Irish Actress Sheila Manahan, who is buried with him in East Sheen Cemetery.
MacDonald Co. Alexander James John 1839 1889 Teddington Cemetery, Section Cc, grave number 644 “The last chief of the old historic family of Glencoe, died after thirty six years great suffering caused by 21 wounds received in the Crimea at the battles of Alma and Inkerman”.
Manahan Sheila 1924 1988 East Sheen Cemetery, Section J, number 187 Irish actress. Among her film roles were Ann in 'Seven Days to Noon', the mother in 'The Story of Esther Costello' and Mrs Jenkins in 'Only Two Can Play' with Peter Sellers and Mai Zetterling. She was married to Fulton Mackay and is buried with him in East Sheen Cemetery.
Martin Sir Alec 1884 1971 East Sheen Cemetery, Section G, grave number 12 Chairman of Christies from 1940 until 1958. Chairman of the Wallace Collection and governor of the Foundling Hospital.
Martin Robert 1821 1906 Twickenham Cemetery, Section A, grave number 150 “For 42 years professor of clarinet at Kneller Hall”.
Martin-Harvey Sir John 1863 1944 East Sheen Cemetery, Section H, grave number 142 Sir John Martin-Harvey adopted the hyphenated form of his name in 1921 when he was knighted. He was born in Wivenhoe, Essex. His father, John Harvey was a yacht builder, (as was his Grandfather Thomas Harvey) and was a member of the Institute of Naval Architects. His mother, Margaret Diana Mary was a vicar’s daughter. Actor-manager and an early advocate for a national theatre.
McMillan William 1887 1977 Richmond Cemetery, Section 14, Grave number 10569 culptor, whose best-known works are the statue of George VI overlooking the Mall and of Alcock and Brown at Heathrow Airport. Lived at 3 Cholmondley Walk, Richmond.
Mears Joseph Theophilus 1872 1935 Richmond Cemetery, Section W, grave number 5243. Founding Director (in 1905) of Chelsea Football Club, later owner of the Stamford Bridge ground; a developer and entrepreneur who had much of West London's leisure industry sewn up, running cinemas, coaches and Thames pleasure launches, as well as Chelsea Football Club. Mayor of Richmond from 1931 to 1932.
Messenger James Arthur 1826 1901 Teddington Cemetery, Grave 302, Section Dc Was awarded the solid silver Waterman and Bargeman Badge by Queen Victoria in 1862. Messenger carried out the role of Waterman and Bargemaster for 40 years, serving Queen Victoria and then King Edward VII.
Millbourne Sir Ralph 1862 1942 Richmond Cemetery, Section O, grave number 2432 Stockbroker and president of the Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare Society.
Moor Sir Ralph 1860 1909 East Sheen Cemetery, Section C, grave number 49 First High commissioner to Southern Nigeria 1900. He committed suicide.
de Montmorency Sir Miles 1893 1963 East Sheen Cemetery, Section CC, grave number 86 Portrait painter and author of 'A short history of Painting in England' in 1934.
Morgan Sir Benjamin 1874 1937 East Sheen Cemetery, Section C, grave number 224 Engineer and economist, he served on numerous committees concerned with trade and the empire.
Muller Herbert Gage 1912 1940 Richmond Cemetery, Section BB grave number 21 Pilot Flying Officer 39558 in 99 Squadron of the RAF. He and his crew took off at 1800 hours from Suffolk for a raid in Stavanger, Norway. The aircraft is assume to have crashed into the Wash and all crew were lost, but all the bodies were recovered from the water in time.
Nelson Sir Thomas James 1829 1885 Teddington Cemetery, Section Fc, grave number 218 Solicitor to the City of London 1862-1865, he conducted litigation that secured the freedom of Epping Forest.
Oliphant Laurence 1829 1888 Twickenham Cemetery, Section D, grave number 197 Laurence Oliphant was a contemporary of Sir Richard Burton, the famous explorer. (Sir Richard Burton is buried in the grounds of St. Mary Magdalene Church in North Worple Way).
Ommaney Adm. Sir Erasmus 1814 1904 Old Mortlake Burial Ground, Section Q grave number 195 Served on the Arctic Expeditions of 1838 and in 1850 which discovered the first winter quarters of Franklin’s ships.
Osborn George 1808 1891 Richmond Old Cemetery Ground, grave number B5 Wesleyan preacher, president of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference 1863 – 1881; he published several books on the Wesleys.
Osborne William Alexander 1814 1891 Teddington Cemetery, Section Bc, grave number 552 Headmaster of Rossall School from 1849 to 1869.
Painter Sir Frederick 1844 1926 East Sheen Cemetery, Section G, grave number 99 Sheriff of the City of London from 1913-14.
Panufnik Sir Andrzej 1914 1991 Richmond Cemetery, Section E, grave number 287 Sir Andrzej Panufnik was a highly reputed composer of a wide range of choral and orchestral music. Left Poland in 1954 in protest against Stalinist attitude to artists, took British nationality, first Pole to be knighted. His cantata ‘Thames Pageant’ recorded with the choir of King’s House School and the Thames Youth Ensemble. A much respected Twickenham resident. The memorial is by Richard Kindersley, a pupil of Eric Gill.
Pattison Thomas Mee 1845 1936 Richmond Cemetery, Section V, grave number 5063 Thomas Mee Pattison started his life as a coach builder. He married Ellen Worthington in 1870 and was described by 1871 as a professor of music, and was also an organist at St.Paul’s Church, Warrington. Most of his work was written between the mid 1880’s and 90’s. He and his family moved to London and he became an organist at St.Mary’s Ealing. He masterminded the Maidstone Violin Movement, and this movement had a major impact on instrumental tuition in the USA.
Pears Sir Thomas Townsend 1809 1892 Old Mortlake Burial Ground, Section V, grave number 157 Major-General Royal Engineers. Knighted 1871.
Peel Rt. Hon. Jonathan 1799 1879 Twickenham Cemetery, Section B, grave number 160 Rt. Hon. Jonathan Peel was MP for Huntingdon from 1831 to 1868. Secretary of State for war from 1858 to 1859, and race horse owner. His horses won first and second places in the 1844 Derby.
Piggott John David   1923 Richmond Cemetery, Section S, grave number 3691 War correspondent.
Pissarro Félix 1874 1897 Richmond Cemetery, Section F. grave number 1176 Artist - third son of Camille Pissarro, father of the impressionist movement. Died of TB at 23 in a Kew sanatorium. Acknowledged by his father as the most talented of his five sons. Two of his Richmond landscapes are in the Ashmolean, Oxford. Lived briefly in Richmond, then Chiswick. The memorial is possibly from a design by Lucien Pissarro. This memorial was restored in May 2001 with the help of The Environment trust for Richmond upon Thames and public subscription.
Ramsbottom James Kirkham 1891 1925 Richmond Cemetery, Section V, grave number 4850 Gained the Gold Medal and a scholarship in the Royal Horticultural Society's examination, and became a special research student at Wisley. He "saved the British Daffodil industry from extinction", by his work on Eeelworm Disease, and ensured the sale of disease-free stocks of bulbs. He tragically fell from a high window in a New York hotel during a lecturing visit.
Reed Thomas German 1817 1888 Old Mortlake Burial Ground, Section Z grave number 198 Together with his wife, Priscilla (1818-1895), Thomas German Reed devised the 'German Reed Entertainment' in 1855. This “provided dramatic amusement for that class of society which was reluctant to visit the theatres”.
Relf William Keith 1943 1976 Richmond Cemetery, Section 21, Grave number 301A William Keith Relf (known as Keith) was the lead singer and harmonica player for the group The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968. Hits include 'Heart Full of Soul' and 'For Your Love'.
Richardson Tom 1870 1912 Richmond Cemetery, Section C, Grave number 629 Tom Richardson was a cricketer, fast bowler, who played for Surrey and England. Took 290 wickets in one season, a record that stood for 33 years. Lived in Richmond. 'He bowled his best but was himself bowled by the best on July 2nd 1912'. This memorial was restored with the help of The Environment Trust for Richmond upon Thames and Surrey Cricket Club.
Ridout Majoy Gen. Sir Dudley Howard 1866 1941 Richmond Cemetery, Section 8, grave number 9479 A member of the executive and legislative council of the Straits Settlements 1915-21.
Roberts Stephen 1840 1907 Richmond Cemetery, Section M, grave number 1459 One of the first aldermen and magistrates of the Borough, Mayor of Richmond 1894-5. Member of Surrey County Council and Chairman of Richmond Charity Trustees. Lived at ‘Winterville’, Kew Road, Richmond.
Robinson William Ellsworth 1861 1918 East Sheen Cemetery, Section B, grave numbers 219/220/221 William Ellsworth Robinson was a member of the Magic Circle, who renovated the memorial in 1999. His performing name was 'Chung Ling Soo'. Famous for his Music Hall act of catching bullets in his teeth. He died on stage during his act, in mysterious circumstances.
Roth Dr Ernst 1896 1971 Twickenham Cemetery, Section O, grave number 77 Czech born music publisher with Boosey and Hawkes, friend and adviser of Stravinsky.
Rowell Reginald Bertie 1875 1966 East Sheen Cemetery, Section H, grave number 11 A local architect designed the East Sheen Cemetery Chapel that was built in 1906.
Rugge-Price Sir Charles 1841 1927 Richmond Cemetery, Section P, Grave number 2750 One time Chairman of the Richmond Petty Sessions and a Justice of the Peace. He was also Deputy Lieutenant for Surrey.
Scott Major Gen. Douglas 1824 1924 East Sheen Cemetery, Section C, grave number 146 Railway engineer in India and the Sudan.
Stuart Leslie 1862 1928 Richmond Cemetery, Section D, grave number 88 Leslie Stuart was christened Thomas Augustine Barrett and was a composer of popular music. Best known composition was the song ‘Lily of Laguna’. Lived in Richmond at 122 Richmond Hill.
Summers Rev. Montague 1880 1948 Richmond Cemetery, Section 11, grave number 10818 Rev. Montague Summers was a well-known demonologist and writer of ghost stories. Historian of early English drama. Lived in Dynevor Road, Richmond.
Sutcliffe George 1878 1943 East Sheen Cemetery, Section S, grave number 30 Artist and craftsman.
Szlumper Sir James Weeks 1834 1926 Richmond Cemetery, Section O, grave number 2414 Twice Mayor of Richmond, a civil engineer concerned with the construction of London’s underground railways. He lived in Holmesdale Road, Richmond.
Taylor Thomas William 1879 1932 Richmond Cemetery, Section X, grave number 5650 Curator of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.
Tibble PC Stephen Andrew 1953 1975 Richmond Cemetery, Section 21, Grave number 469 PC Tibble was a police constable in the London Metropolitan Police. During a chase through the Barons Court area of London, Tibble was shot and killed by a member of the IRA. He was posthumously awarded the Queens Police Medal for Gallantry and a memorial was erected at the spot where he was killed on Charleville Road in Barons Court. He was married and had been a serving officer for only six months.
Tighe Lt.Gen. Sir Michael 1864 1925 East Sheen Cemetery, Section C, grave number 316 Had an active military career serving in Burma, China and Africa; a big game hunter.
Thompson Co. Robert 1833 1890 Twickenham Cemetery, Section B grave number 268 Commandant of Kneller Hall from 1880 to 1888.
Toombs Frank Albert 1911 1940 Richmond Cemetery, grave number 4298, Section T Was one of the famous airmen who Prime Minister Winston Churchill referred to when he said: "Never have so many owed so much to so few". Pilot Officer Frank A Toombs was killed on active service when his aircraft mysteriously caught fire in mid-air. He was pulled from the wreckage, but died two days later from his wounds. In September 2005, a monument to "the few" was opened by Price Charles and it stands on Victoria Embankment commemorating the Royal Air Force airmen who defended Britain in the 1940 Battle of Britain.
Tozer Robert John   1892 Teddington Cemetery, Section Du, grave number 280 One of the founders of Christ Church in Teddington. He laid the keystone of the chapels in Teddington Cemetery.
Treat Richard 1935 2008 Richmond Cemetery, Section B, grave number 250 Television producer who played a key role in the development of the chat show. He won a BAFTA award in 1991 for 'Clive James on the 80's'; he created the chat show 'Parkinson' and produced 132 editions.
Vaughan-Fowler Denis-George 1910 1931 East Sheen Cemetery, Grave number 87, section C Pilot Officer Vaughan-Fowler of the 41st Squadron Royal Air Force, was killed as a result of a flying accident whilst carrying out his orders, night flying at Hawkinge. He graduated from the R.A.F. College at Cranwell, in the same class as the famed Douglas Bader, and his younger brother was a decorated pilot during World War II.
Venn Rev. Henry 1796 1873 Mortlake Burial Ground, Row 18, grave number 76 - old church ground Prebendary of St.Paul’s and, for over thirty years, honorary secretary of the Church Missionary Society.
Victory Patrick Michael 1919 2006 Richmond Cemetery, Garden of Rest Grave number B201.

He was the son of a regular Army warrant officer of the Royal Munster Fusiliers who won the Military Medal in the First World War. He qualified for a career in the Customs & Excise Service, but on the outbreak of war, enlisted and was commissioned to the Royal Artillery in time to join the 5th Regiment Royal Horse Artillery shortly after it’s return from Dunkirk. As a Forward Observation Officer in the fighting around Villers Bocage in June 1944, Victory had his Cromwell knocked out at close range but survived for the breakout from the east of the Normandy bridgehead and at the battle for Mount Pinçon. He was awarded an immediate Military Cross for killing the crew of an opposing anti-tank gun with a Bren light machine gun, not a usual role for a Gunner FOO, and ended the war in command of K Battery. He was mentioned in dispatches for his part in the North-West Europe campaign.

Most unusually even in time of war, he was appointed OBE for his service in Korea - an MBE being the customary recognition for majors - and also received the US Bronze Star. Paddy Victory was a remarkable servant of both his country and his Church. He later served the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Basil Hume, as assistant for public affairs. In this role, he played a crucial part in the successful campaign to overturn the convictions of the Guildford 4, for the IRA bombings in Guildford and Woolwich in 1974, and of the Maguire 7 on related charges of making explosives.

Waechter Sir Max Leonhardt 1837 1924 Richmond Cemetery, Section H, grave number 3607 Sir Max Leonhardt Waechter was High Sheriff of Surrey. Submitted a pamphlet on the federation of the States of Europe to all European governments and sovereigns. Presented Petersham Ait and Petersham Lodge to Richmond, founded and supported several convalescent homes. Lived in Terrace House, 128 Richmond Hill.
Wagland John George   1892 Teddington Cemetery, Section Ec, grave number 23 State coachman to Queen Victoria 1857-1873. The Queen ordered his tombstone to be erected in the cemetery.
Walter Maj. Frederick Edward 1848 1931 Twickenham Cemetery, Section I, grave number 19 Commandant of the corps of commissionaires 1904 – 1931.
Walters Ian Homer 1930 2006 East Sheen Cemetery, Natural Burial Area, grave number 21 Ian Homer Walters was a sculptor and socialist whose work included statues of Mandela and Harold Wilson. At the time of his death, he was finishing a portrait of Stephen Hawking and planning one of Tony Banks. Planning permission was obtained for his statue of Sylvia Pankhurst, intended to stand on College Green, opposite the House of Lords. He had entered into a partnership with the Bronze Women Monument Project to build a memorial statue as a lasting legacy to black women the world over. The 7ft statue of a woman holding a young child above is set to be sited in Stockwell, Lambeth. In May 2006 the Society of Portrait Sculptors presented him with its highest award, the Jean Masson-Davidson Silver Medal, in recognition of his lifetime achievements.
Wigan Sir Frederick 1827 1907 East Sheen Cemetery, Section D, Grave number 144 High Sheriff of Surrey 1894, hop merchant and church benefactor, he took a leading role in the formation of Southwark diocese.
Watkin Maj. Gen. Sir Willoughby G. 1859 1925 Grave details not recorded. Chief of General Staff in Canada.
Williams Fred   1916 Twickenham Cemetery, Section C, grave number E8 Music hall actor well known for his pantomime dame roles. Buried under his real name of Frederick Whittington Watts.
Wimbledon George Frederick 1865 1890 Twickenham Cemetery, Section D, grave number 194 Youngest son of the late Francis Francis, who died on 5th September 1890 aged 25 years. George was drowned while bathing in the Boca Grande, Mexico, and there is an inscription in memory of him on the memorial of Francis Francis.
Wittridge Albert Howley 1922 2009 Teddington Cemetery, Section L, Grave number 1010A

Witt Wittridge was a fighter pilot during the Burma campaign, later he became a test pilot flying a wide variety of aircraft used for the development of aero-engines. Aged just 17, at the height of the Battle of Britain, he travelled to Headquarters of Fighter Command to volunteer as a fighter pilot, but this unorthodox approach failed, so he joined the local Home Guard until he was called up in August 1941 to train as a pilot. When Witt was finally rested in April 1945, on leaving the Spitfires of No 155 Squadron he was assessed as "an exceptional fighter pilot" and awarded a DFC.

He left the RAF in 1953 to join Armstrong Siddeley as a test pilot; in 1959 he transferred to Bristol Siddeley at Filton and later decided to resign to allow younger talent to advance. He worked as an aerial chauffeur to a multi-millionaire businessman until the injuries he had sustained in the RAF ended his flying career in 1975. He then worked as a meteorological officer in Birmingahm University until 1985. During his long flying career he had flown 120 different types of aircraft; another passion he held was for cars. Witt Wittridge was full of mischief and wit and wrote an evocative account of his life in 2004, called "An Evil Boy". When he had to have a hip replacement in later life, he insisted on having an epidural so that he could watch the proceedings.

Woodgate Sir Alfred 1860 1943 Teddington Cemetery, Section Ec, grave number 30 Civil servant and Mayor of Kingston from 1932 to 1935.
Willock Sir Henry 1790 1858 Grave details not recorded. Diplomat, he served in Persia 1822-1830, chairman of the East India Company 1844-1847.
Wyllie Sir William Hutt Curzon 1848 1909 Richmond Cemetery Section L grave number 2330 Wyllie entered the Army in 1866, arrived in India in February 1867,and was promoted to Captain in October 1878. He served in India throughout his long and varied service. He made CIE in 1881, was promoted to Major in October 1886 and to lieutenant-Colonel in 1892. In March 1901 he was selected by Lord George Hamilton as his political aide-de-camp. He was appointed KCIE and MVO in 1902 and CVO in June 1907. He was assassinated whilst at the Imperial Institute in South Kensington.

Updated: 21 June 2017

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