The origin of the surname “Wadbrook” is obscure. It was found in Kingston upon Thames records as far back as 1660 and sometimes was associated with the malting industry. There was a plethora of William Wadbrooksto consider. Wadbrook Street in Kingston [KT1 1EY] was named after William Wadbrook, the elder, a prominent maltster who lived within walking distance of the street. He was recorded in the 1851 Kingston Census, along with his son, William Wadbrook, the younger, also a maltster, and William Wadbrook, a Chelsea Pensioner, who appeared to be running a lodging house. The latter’s grandson, Alfred John Wadbrook, was the first of a line of travelling showmen. No persons with the surname “Wadbrook” were found in the 1871-1911 Kingston Censuses. Identification of a most recent common ancestor [MRCA] for the Kingston Wadbrooks is likely to be challenging.
The memorial tablet on the wall of St. Andrew’s Church, Surbiton KT6 4AB, has a roll of honour with 53 names of men who died in the service of their country in 1914-1918
The tombstone of Josiah Clues who died in 1842 was found in Memorial Gardens, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1RP. Through merit alone, he rose from the ranks to be a Lieutenant in the British Army
A PowerPoint presentation with notes of a talk, entitled “A history of Seething Wells, Surbiton” given to Surbiton & District Historical Society.
The origin of the surname “Wadbrook” is obscure. It was found in Kingston upon Thames records as far back as 1660