My theory on the mystery man seen above four doors

I have always wondered who this man was but no one (not even the owners of the houses) could enlighten me.

I would like to put forward my theory as to who this distinguished figure could be '“ none other than the famous Victorian hero, General Charles George Gordon '“ Gordon of Khartoum (unfortunately no relation to me!)

The basis for my theory is threefold. First, the figures look like General Gordon; second, the building of the houses would be contemporary with the death of Gordon in 1885; and third the great man actually had a connection with Seaford.

Two of General Gordon's aunts lived in the area; Henrietta Augusta Gwynne (nee Gordon) lived in Denton, Newhaven and Anna Maria Wallinger (nee Gordon) lived with her husband Joseph at Crouch House just a few yards from East Street. I have been told that, as a child, General Gordon often used to spend his holidays in Seaford staying with his relatives in Crouch House. I have been in contact with the great-great-great-great grandson of Henrietta Gwynn who has been able to confirm much of this information.

Gordon was born in Woolwich in 1833 and was educated at the Royal Military Academy, completing his education at the Royal Engineer School in Chatham. On the outbreak of the Crimean War, Gordon was sent to Balaklava and one wonders if, while he was here, he met the great Florence Nightingale who was actually a distant relative of his.

After the war Gordon remained in the area conducting surveying work; he was responsible for determining the boundaries between Turkey and Russia. On returning to England he became an instructor at Chatham but was soon off to China where his 'Ever Victorious Army' was responsible for clearing many of the rebels fighting in the Opium Wars. The Emperor of China gave Gordon the highest rank in his army and at home he became popularly known, from then on, as 'Chinese Gordon'.

Gordon returned to England where for a few months he supervised the building of defensive forts around Gravesend but he was soon off for further adventures in Africa. In 1873 he was appointed Governor of a province of Sudan and spent the next few years mapping the Nile and building out-posts of the Empire as far south as Uganda.

Gordon was killed by Sudanese rebels who were attacking Khartoum in 1885, two days before a British relief force arrived in the city. His death made him a martyr in the UK and 'Gordon of Khartoum' was commemorated across the word with statues being raised as far apart as Trafalgar Square and in Melbourne, Australia.

And, how did the people of Seaford react to his death? Quite modestly, I believe, by using his portrait to decorate four new houses in the town. A small memorial that, despite being overlooked, remains in the town to this day.

KEVIN GORDON