Frederick Neame, JP

Third son of FREDERICK NEAME and Mary Tassell, he was born on 29th May, 1847. He married Kathleen STUNT, daughter of Frederick STUNT of Higham. He farmed Macknade, Preston, for many years and afterwards retired to his house of Luton, Selling. Frederick was educated at Cheltenham College and left in 1863, then spent a year studying architecture and building in Birmingham. In 1864 he joined his father in his land agency and farming at Macknade. In 1865 he joined the East Kent Yeomany Cavalry, later termed Mounted Rifles (Faversham Troop). When Lord Harris took over the troop in the early 1870's from Lord Sondes, he became a Quartermaster, a position he retained till 1878. During this period he was honorary Treasurer to the Faversham Agricultural Association. In 1881, he helped to form the East Kent Cart Horse Society, of which he was Honorary Secretary and Treasurer. The introduction of High Class Shire Stallions by this Society effected a noticeable improvement in the District in draught horses. In 1905, he represented the Hop Industry on Joseph Chamberlain's Tariff Reform Committee, and continued to act for some years. On his father's retirement in 1878, he took over the position of agent for Lord Sondes' estates in Kent and Norfolk until 1912, when he retired and was succeeded by his son FREDERICK IVO NEAME. At his final rent audit he was presented with a silver tea and coffee service by Earl Sondes and the tenants of his estates in Kent. In 1915 he was appointed a County J.P.; for many years was a director of the Kent Fire Office, and a Commissioner for East Kent Sewers. Deeply interested in Kent Sheep (a hobby he inherited from his father), in 1870 he started his own flock, and in the first 18 years, he received no less than 218 awards, including seven champions, six reserve champions and 60 first prizes. In 1913 in a unanimous judges' decision, he was awarded the first prize and Challenge Cup for the best flock exhibited. In 1890 he established a herd of Dutch Cattle, from which a descended flock was inherited by his second son THOMAS NEAME. In 1903 he felt compelled, by bad health, to retire from the Club, but fortunately completely recovered, and became the oldest living authority on the Club customs, having joined 54 years earlier. He kindly invited the members to his house to celebrate the Club's Bi-Centenary, and consented to rejoin as a member for that occasion.