Sidney Herbert West's Will

- Date of Death, 22nd Feb 1944 -

At the time of his death, Sidney resided at Garfield House, Burgess Hill.  His death certificate gives Cuckfield as the location (the nearest hospital was Cuckfield Hospital).

Sidney had a brother Arthur Gowld (may be "Gould") West, who lived at ‘Chenies’ Caversham, Reading.  Sidney left him the family silver and a cameo of their great great Grandfather, and family portraits

The daughter of Sidney's brother Arthur (Sidney's niece), Marjorie Bridget, was left £500.

The executors of the Will were Charles Philip William Stroud of 6, Bank Buildings (Auctioneer) and John Hunter Cockburn of 61 Church Road Hove.

C P W Stroud was appointed to handle free of all duty, all of Sidney’s freehold property, including all his share and interest in a moiety of North House Farm at Portslade, Sussex

Sidney stated that all horses owned by him be destroyed if and when of no use to C P W Stroud

Furniture and all household and personal effects - C P W Stroud.

Sidney's cook — Marjorie Oliver of 123 Fairfield Road Burgess Hill, was left £100.

William Martin of Newport Road, a former Groom £15.

Various small amounts were left to what looks like previous grooms ranging from £5 to £25.

The Groom Sidney had at the time of death, Leslie Selsby, was left £5 plus £5 for every year he had been employed by Sidney. It was stated that he was entitled to receive this only if he was not under notice to leave!

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One large amount to Bryan Scott Oliver of 123 Fairfield Road Burgess Hill who was no longer in Burgess Hill but somewhere with the Royal Marines (formerly Sidney's Groom) £500 (note: same address as the cook — possibly son?).

Sidney left £16,000.00 free of all duty to Bryan Scott Oliver and C P W Stroud with which to promote and benefit the Mid Sussex Amateur Boxing Club and also to benefit and promote Scotches Swimming Pool of Hurstpierpoint. He stated that he wanted his wishes to be carried out on this matter "knowing as they do of my interest in the welfare of the male youth of the District"

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Will total: £54938-19-10

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Residue of Will, which was divided into three (copied exactly from Will):

I BEQUEATH the residue of my personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever not hereby or by any Codicil hereto otherwise specifically disposed of after payment of my debts funeral and testamentary expenses and the legacies bequeathed hereby or by any Codicil hereto and the Duties on any such Legacies as to both capital and income thereof AS TO ONE THIRD SHARE thereof UNTO the said Charles Philip William Stroud absolutely and AS TO ONE THIRD SHARE thereof UNTO the said Bryan Scott Oliver absolutely PROVIDED ALWAYS that if either the said Charles Philip William Stroud or Bryan Scott Oliver shall die in my lifetime leaving a child or children living at my death who attain the age of twenty one years of being female attain that age or marry under that age then and in every such case the last mentioned child or children shall take and if more than one equally between them the share which his her or their parent would have taken in my residuary estate if such parent had survived me and attained a vested interest therein

AND AS TO THE REMAINING ONE THIRD SHARE of my residuary estate as to both capital and income thereof I BEQUEATH the same UNTO the said Charles Philip William Stroud and Bryan Scot Oliver and without imposing any trust or obligation on them whatsoever in respect thereof I desire that they may employ the same in the furtherance of promoting and benefiting the Mid Sussex Amateur Boxing Club and Scotches Swimming Pool as before mentioned

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From Sue Parsons, current resident of Garfield House:
"It is well known in Burgess Hill that Sidney had a liking for young boys. I can tell you no more, other than that the elderly people to whom I have chatted all remark on this fact. There are a few stories about him insisting that the young lads swim naked."