Ryde: a memorial to a tramp

Image: © Chris Downer Taken: 6 Nov 2010

This simple monument, visible to the left in Image, has a plaque below it which reads: Theodore Racine Searle Born 1916 Died 1987 Not many tramps make their way to the island but one came in 1957 and stayed for 28 years. Theodore, known to most of his friends as Theo, was a tall, well built man, bearded, long haired and wearing several layers of clothing topped by a duffel coat. He always wore rolled down wellingtons. Well educated, nicely spoken and with good manners, he soon became a popular figure although rather a mystery to many. All sorts of rumours abounded about him. He was thought to have been born to wealthy parents and paid to stay away from home. Some said a failed love affair blighted his life. What we do know is that he was once a county and international trial hockey player. He was also a lover of music, played the piano and wrote poetry. He lived close to nature and often slept in woodlands and barns. Theo spent hours watching birds and animals. He never begged and always behaved like the true gentle giant that he was. A threat to none. A real gentleman of the road. A few lines from one of his poems says it all about Theo: "By the old open oak I lie Night after night, night after night, A wayfarer as time goes by." Carving: Glyn Roberts; wording: Derek Sinman

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