The son of a prosperous surgeon, in Putney, Charles Robert Malden was educated locally and, at the age of 11 encouraged, against his will, to join the Royal Navy. He saw service in the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, and America, becoming a skilled surveyor and promoted Lieutenant. In 1824 he joined HMS Blonde under Lord Byron as Navigating Officer and Surveyor on the voyage to the Sandwich Islands to return the bodies of the King and Queen who had died from measles during their visit to England. On the return voyage an Island was discovered which was named Malden in his honour. The Island was subsequently used for the mining of guano for the fertiliser trade, and in the mid 20th century used as a testing site for Britain’s nuclear weapons. On leaving the Navy he tutored pupils and, in 1837 set up what became the first Preparatory School on Britain, Windlesham House School in Sussex, which went through 5 generations of Malden headmasters, a unique record. The School continues to flourish to this day, being the first Preparatory School to become co-educational. Early years upbringing in Putney; including his naval career from the age of 12 until aged 29, with his letters home and personal journals. The Blonde – 1824-1826, His personal Journal of the voyage to return the bodies of the King & Queen of the Sandwich Islands and subsequent exploration and the discovery of Malden Island in the Pacific Ocean – though other Journals about this voyage have been published, his has never been seen; Family life – his children and correspondence. The School – personal letters regarding setting up the School, and a unique set of letters home from pupils in 1839/42; Origins of the Malden family. Malden Island – previously unseen material about the Island, its archaeology & natural history, its fertilizer industry, and Atomic Bomb tests in 1957.