The history of Fetcham Park continues to reveal itself thanks to local historian Vivien White. Vivien’s research over the years has led to many fascinating discoveries including the creator of the original gardens to be none other than the celebrated 17th-century English nurseryman and garden designer, George London. 

This year for Heritage Open Day, Fetcham Park is hosting a temporary exhibition about the Surrey Yeomanry. ‘A Call to Arms: The History of the Surrey Yeomanry’, features the panels on loan from Dorking Museum tracing the history of the volunteer Calvary and its connection with Dorking and its surrounding estates.  This display vividly brings to life the people and places associated with the esteemed military unit spanning two centuries, and thanks to Vivien, this also includes Captain Sydney Thornhill Hankey, a relative of the original owners of Fetcham Park.

With Vivien’s permission, we are delighted to share her research into the Hankey family which paints a colourful lineage of Fetcham Park’s original owner and his extended family.

Sydney Thornhill Alers Hankey (1869 – 1946) was educated at Sunningdale and Eton, but then chose a military career which was unusual in his family. He joined the 2nd Life Guards and in 1886 was appointed a Lieutenant.  By 1901 he was a Captain when he was seconded to the Surrey Yeomanry as the regiment’s adjutant on its reformation.  He returned to the Life Guards and retired on the reserve list with the office of Major (supernumerary) in 1907 prior to World War 1.  When the war broke out he returned to service in the Life Guards.   He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and received the British War and Victory Medals.  He married twice. By Gertrude Elena Elizabeth D’Arcy he had a son who survived him and a daughter who had offspring.  By his second wife Helena Constance Nugent Head, he had three sons and one grandson, all of whom were tragically killed fighting in the Second World War.  Although born in Wokingham, Sydney had a connection to Surrey through his grandfather who lived at Epsom and his distant cousins who lived at Fetcham Park.

Thomas Hankey (1740– 1773) who bought Fetcham Park in 1792 was the great great grandfather of Sydney Thornhill Hankey. Thomas was the head partner of the successful family banking firm of Hankey & Co. of 5, 6 and 7 Fenchurch Street and a very wealthy man.

William Alers Hankey (1771-1859), the eldest son of Thomas Hankey was Sydney’s great grandfather.  William’s mother was a Miss Alers.  The couple are not thought to have married, but Thomas recognised William as his son.  William later worked in the family firm in a senior position but was not his father’s main heir.  Despite this, William’s descendants were wealthy and successful.  One was Maurice Alers Hankey (1877 – 1963) a very successful diplomat and politician who was made the 1st Baron Hankey.   William had  seven sons and three daughters by his marriage to Mary Martin in 1797.

Thomas Alers Hankey (1806-1872) Sydney Thornhill’s grandfather, was the fifth child and fourth son of William and Mary Alers Hankey. All the sons either worked in the family bank or in other City jobs.  Thomas worked as a banker and settled in Woodcote Road, Epsom where he died in 1872.

Sydney Alers Hankey (1839-1920), Sydney Thornhill’s father, was Thomas’ third son.  He married Louisa Fanny Thornhill and settled in Wokingham where Sydney, their third child was born.  He had two older sisters and a younger sister and brother. The family were known to have often visited Epsom.

Thomas Hankey, Sydney Thornhill’s great great grandfather married Elizabeth Weaver in 1781, having already had three daughters by her.  They went on to have a further daughter and two sons. Fetcham Park became their family home after its purchase in 1792 but they also had a London property.  Thomas Hankey, died in 1773 intestate as his Will was defective. William Alers, Sydney Thornhill’s great grandfather was one of the executors named in the defective Will and was involved in the legal steps to resolve the situation. Thomas Hankey’s eldest legitimate son, John Barnard Hankey became his heir-at-law and inherited Fetcham Park and the majority of his fortune.  The two sides of the family continued to be involved in the family bank until it was sold in 1865 and later became absorbed in the Royal Bank of Scotland. The house and estate would pass down through John Barnard Hankey’s line until his great great great grandson, George Frederick Barnard Hankey sold it in 1924/25 ending the family’s ownership of the house of 136 years.

For more information about the history of Fetcham Park, visit: fetchampark.co.uk/about/