The British Gatsby Who is the mystery man of means in a 1920s photograph album? Bought at a book fair by a Leytonstone family, the album's pictures depict the lavish existence of a real-life British Gatsby living it up in the years before the Depression. Whether driving one of his two Bentleys or tending his aviary, beloved dog or cocktail bar, it is evident that the man in front of the lens was both wealthy and somewhat flamboyant. But who was he?

After close scrutiny of the photographs, the Revealing Secrets team discovers that the house was in Surrey, and a visit to the local records office identifies it as 'The Old Vicarage' in Kingswood. Research into the number plates of his cars finally reveals the man in question as William Sherbrook, which enables the team to obtain copies of his death certificate and will before paying a visit to the house in the photos. Related links BBC History Online www.bbc.co.uk/history Searching this site by topic, people, place or era leads to articles, links and multimedia content that includes sections on Britain between the wars and the background to the Depression. Bentley Motors www.rolls-royceandbentley.co.uk Official website of the company behind the car. Includes pictures and specifications of current models and a history ranging from the early races of the 1920s and 30s to the present day. Surrey History Centre http://shs.surreycc.gov.uk/centre.html This archive's collections date from the 12th century and contain a wide range of documents from public records pertaining to manors and private estates to local newspaper articles.

^top | Home | This week | How to be a backtracker
Can you help? | Hot news | Revealing your secrets | Flummoxed | Find out more