Dear Editor Many of our local personalities have been profiled in local history records, such as those of the Bourne Society, and in local newspapers. There is one such person, who, as far as I know, has never been so featured even though his surname is displayed prominently in the district and is known nationally. He is Oliver R Croudace.

My late wife, Mavis, was his secretary for a time in the late 1950s. The offices were above Mr Glidden's Craft Shop in Godstone Road, Caterham Valley. There was also an associated firm of estate agents, Croudace & Walker, in the same building as well as an architect, Mr Wicks.

I understood that Mr Croudace, known to his friends as 'Nollie', headed a small building firm employing three or four craftsmen on a casual basis. I heard that he occasionally did his own labouring. I was acquainted with Mr Croudace and drew some plans for him. I remember him as a big, genial man who could be seen around the Caterham district driving his enormous Oldsmobile open tourer – appropriate to his stature.

It is some years since Oliver R died. I wonder whether amongst your readers there is anyone who has sufficient information to compile an article on him? Perhaps they would contact me if they have.

Harold Barrett (late)

Harold Barrett sadly passed away on 7th February. He was born in Caterham in 1923 where he lived all his life. He was very active in the community and interested in many aspects of life in the local area. He was also quite a prodigious writer of articles and letters to various publications over the years. The above letter is the last letter he wrote just before he died and it was his wish that his son Keith should forward it to The Caterham and District Independent for publication.

Keith said that although Oliver R Croudace gave his name to the local firm, he apparently only had a brief partnership with Jack Brotherton-Ratcliffe who is credited with founding the company in 1946.

Keith has asked that any responses to his father's letter can be sent to his e-mail address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. which will remain active so that Keith can complete the research started by his father.