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170 years ago Robert S. Lindley was born

Robert (Bob) Searles, second son of William Lindley, was born on January 28, 1854

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170 years ago Robert S. Lindley was born

William Lindley's second son, Robert (Bob) Searles, was born on January 28, 1854 in Hamburg.His father had similar hopes for him as for elder brother William Heerlein.He was convinced that this profession could provide them with good financial security for the future and allow them to live a prosperous life. Father William Lindley sent him, like his other sons, to an English school. In 1880, at the age of 16, as wascustomary, he was employed in the family business.It is known that he was in Warsaw this year together with William Heerlein, where he had the best impression of the meeting with President Sokrates Starynkiewicz.

The chance to obtain a contract caused William Heerlein to prepare his younger brother Robert to become his representative in Warsaw.Robert worked on the preliminary design of water and sewage systems together with his father and brother.It was on his shoulders that contacts with President Starynkiewicz and negotiating the terms of employing local specialists rested.

As his future wife, Robert chose Sara Amalia Marie Ladenburg, three years younger than himself, the daughter of a banker from Frankfurt am Main, coming from a large family, partly of German and partly French descent.The wedding took place in Frankfurt on January 10, 1882.

Robert S. Lindley and his wife Marie, 1881

As a representative of the family company, Robert resided in Warsaw in the years 1881–1888. Young couple felt great in this city.“We like the climate here very much.I am pleased to say that Marie is feeling as well as possible.We went out for a visit in the evening and danced waltzes for two hours," Robert wrote to his father about his pregnant wife.Robert and Marie chose the elegant Smolna Street as their new residence.

William Heerlein assigned the English engineer Wood to help Robert."As proof of the technical talent of both these engineers, I can boldly point to the structures they have already partially completed in Warsaw, despite the great difficulties encountered (...) finally, I must draw attention to the fact that both of my assistants have a quality whose importance should berecognized not only by me, but also by people to whom the affairs of Warsaw are no stranger, and this is conscientiousness in the full sense of the word, beyond any doubt (...)" - he justified his choice.In fact, the works began already in 1882. For Robert, a period of real challenge began, launching further tenders, subsequent stages of work and other activities.

On December 7, 1888, Robert finally left Warsaw.First he went to Hamburg and then to Frankfurt am Main.Ultimately, he chose the town of Blackheath near London as his new home.About 1897 Robert S. Lindley moved to Godstone Place, Surrey, where he purchased a house and farm on the outskirts of the village.

Home in Godstone

Robert S. Lindley with Marie and son Edward in the carriage

Wife Amalia Marie Ladenburg died in Godstone on March 10, 1925, July 9 of the same year, at the age of seventy-two years, passed away Robert S. Lindley.

As his grandson Robert Egerton wrote: “he lost the will to continue living, blaming himself and fate for the lack of a means of transport that could have taken her to the nearest hospital and perhaps saved her.The efforts of my mother, who took him with her to Italy to regain balance there, were in vain." Of the five children, four survived: two sons and two daughters. Three of them were born in Warsaw.