Down Memory Lane

A Surrey Tragedy from 'The Motor' - March 29, 1932 

Contributed by Mr. Maurice Mager of Stoke D'Abernon

Many know the centuries old Cobham Mill but few have heard of the tragic tale with which it is associated. It is related - with what truth I cannot say - that two brothers, members of the Vincent family of Stoke D 'Abernon were out on a shooting expedition. They had put up several birds, without getting a single shot, when the eldest swore with a great oath that he would kill whatever next they met with. They had gone but little farther when the Miller of Cobham Mill met them and bade them good day.

When he had passed, the younger brother jokingly reminded the elder of his oath, whereupon the latter immediately fired at the Miller, who fell dead upon the spot. ...... The scene of the shooting, so the story goes, was the gorse clad expanse of Fairmile Common, but few of the thousands who hurry across it along the Portsmouth Road ever give a thought to the Miller of long ago.