Allan Ide, the youngest of 11 children (10 boys and 1 girl) was born in 1858 in the village of Oving, Sussex, to George and Avis Ide (nee Luxford of Fittleworth). The Ides being a poor family, Allan was obliged to leave school at 11 years of age to work as an assistant to his father, who was a farm labourer.

Allan's grandson, Ron Marsh who was born in 1919 and lived with his grandfather and step-grandmother until her death in 1931, tells this story to us.

In his late teens he moved to Surrey either with or after his brother, James, and at the age of 20 enlisted at Kingston in the East Surrey Infantry Regiment. After six years as a private, Grandfather bought himself out for the sum of £14.00 - where he managed to get this amount of money is not known.

Grandfather now had two children, having married Emily Edwards and was living with his in-laws at 10 South Albert Road, Reigate, before moving into no. 12. It was at this address that they raised nine children, 6 girls and 3 boys, one of whom suffered from the effects of gas in World War 1 causing him to take his own life at the age of 26 (in 1924).

Grandfather, who lost Emily in 1910, later re-married. He was a general odd job man who owned a horse and cart, using this daily to sell greengrocery and other needy things, such as bean sticks and pea boughs gathered from the local woods. In fact anything that would fetch a few coppers he would sell.

On Sundays in the summer he would load the cart with buns, cakes and lemonade plus a tea urn and proceed with his wife to Reigate Hill, a local beauty spot, to cater to the needs of the many visitors.

It was shortly after the tragic death of Grandfather's youngest child that I was sent to live with him and my step-grandmother. I was expected to help them as much as I was able at 6 years of age, as they both failed to enjoy good health, more so my grandfather.

I soon became aware that Grandfather was always called 'Cherry'. Why, I never have discovered, but on reflection thought it could be because of a very popular lemonade he sold, that was made locally by Bonny's of Reigate Heath, called Cherryade.

Among his many accomplishments Grandfather kept a couple of sows at the bottom of the garden for breeding, selling the litter to local butchers or taking it to market at nearby Redhill.

He was often to be seen visiting the local inns followed by a dog and piglet. A photo in my possession, which I published in the Surrey Mirror about 3 years ago, of Grandfather about to enter the Albion public house, followed by dog and piglet, caused considerable interest!

As time went by Grandfather, through health reasons, had to give up the vegetable round and soon to follow were the enjoyable trips on Sundays to Reigate Hill. With little money, however, he was soon forced to rely on Parish relief, which I used to obtain from the local priest in the form of a voucher for two shillings and sixpence (twelve and a half pence), which could be exchanged at the local grocer's shop for goods.

When in 1931 Grandfather lost his second wife, he went to live with his daughter in Sidcup for a year, where he passed away. Over 40 years he had become a much loved and respected character in Reigate.

So I returned, with his parrot and a wealth of memories, to my Mother, his youngest daughter, who was also known as 'Cherry'.

Allan Ide with dog and piglet outside the Albion Pub in London Road, Reigate. Mr & Mrs Edgson in background.