John Thomas Bedford family grave

John Thomas Bedford was a Member of the Court of Common Council of the Corporation of London. He died in 1900 at the age of 87 and his family grave is in the City of London Cemetery, in Plot 84, south-east of the church. His memorial states: 'He was for 31 years a member of the Corporation of the City of London and devoted himself zealously and successfully to the preservation of Epping Forest, West Ham Park and Burnham Beeches, for the healthful enjoyment and recreation of the people.'

From the early 1880's he contributed articles to the illustrated magazine Punch, or the London Charivari, with his own particular outlook on places in London, under the nomme de plume of ''Robert the Waiter". He organised an excursion of a large party of interested persons to visit Epping Forest - where they met the newly appointed park-keeper, Robert Puffet, and the article "Robert" at Wanstead Park is the result, which is available HERE

Paul Ferris, 19th November 2022