Ryde Social Heritage Group research the social history of the citizens of Ryde, Isle of Wight. Documenting their lives, businesses and burial transcriptions.

Based at Ryde Cemetery Heritage & Learning Centre. Preserving, documenting and promoting the social history of Ryde on the Isle of Wight.

Ryde Architecture

The wording on the side of this building clearly shows DE LAUNAY.

A brief excerpt from the obituary in the IW County Press dated 11 June 1932, of Charles Joseph De Launay, twice Mayor of the borough, states:

….he came to Ryde about 40 years ago, where he succeeded Mr. Henry Martin, one of the most popular business men of that time in the High-street, as a grocer and corn merchant. Mr. De Launay developed in business by opening two other branches, one in John-street, and another in the High-street. Those in the High-street he subsequently relinquished, but continued the one in John-street until his death.

source: Ryde Social Heritage Group Archive

photograph by Tracy Welstead