John Cripps came to Hastings from Richmond, Surrey, by stage-coach, when a lad of 15, and was apprenticed to the late Mr C J Womersley, at Harold Place. A few years afterwards he became connected with the Naval Reserve, and when the Coastguard forces were supplemented from the Naval Reserve he joined the Coastguard. He is my 2nd great-grandfather, born May 09, 1828 died Mar 01, 1909 in Hastings married Elizabeth Emma Reeds April 18, 1851 Croft Chapel, Hastings and had 4 children Emma, Anna,Louisa and John