Thomas Fletcher Waghorn is undoubtedly Snodland's best known celebrity. At twelve years of age, Thomas Waghorn entered the Royal Navy at Chatham, joining the frigate Tigris. During the great age of Victorian Britain and the expansion of the Great British Empire, Waghorn played a key role in reducing the travel time to India from 3 months to 35-45 days, by navigating across deserts and negotiating with local Bedouins for passage.

A statue to him stands in Railway Street, Chatham, but his home and final resting place was in Snodland.

He died on the 7th Jan 1850 and is buried outside the vestry door in All Saints Church in Snodland. Sadly, his gravestone has endured the elements for over 175 years now and is barely legible and in much need of restoration.

The Snodland Historical Society has managed to secure £500 from an ancestor of Thomas Waghorn living in Australia, towards this restoration. We are looking towards the generosity of others who wish to keep our history alive and the memory of great men like Thomas Waghorn whose courage and curiosity helped build an empire on which the sun never set.

Any additional funds raised will go towards historical restoration projects in the town of Snodland and surrounding area.

Campaign created by Matthew Johnson as Chairman of Snodland Historical Society