Newspaper work experience stint leads to discovery of family history

The 17-year-old, who lives in Oxford but has strong family links to the Island, uncovered a surprising number of family links to the paper, going back more than a century.

Lauren uncovered some fascinating family history after mentioning that her great-grandad, Gerald Allen, had been a chief reporter.

She delved into the book Black on White by Maurice Leppard to find out more and quickly discovered other relations.

Not only that, she saw their faces in an old photo stored in the newsroom.

Born in 1868, Henry Allen was the first of many Allens employed by the County Press as a reporter.

Henry was the son of a local farmer on the Island but due to his withered arm he was unable to keep up the family business, 'A farm hand without a hand'.

He migrated into a job at the County Press.

As time went on, Henry became the chief reporter.

In conjunction with his developing career, he married Elizabeth and had three children: Reg Allen, Irene Allen, and Gerald Allen.

Subsequently, his oldest, Reg, joined the County Press as a printer and Irene soon followed; however, her role has remained unknown.

Gerald, the youngest son by ten years, born in 1910, followed in his father’s footsteps.

Gerald Allen was ultimately appointed as chief reporter in close succession to Henry Allen.

Gerald married Katherine, a proofreader for the County Press, and they had two children: Gerald F. H. Allen and Barrington Henry Allen.

The latter was named as such due to his parent’s expectations that it would be an excellent name for a journalist.

Barry, however, went on to be an electrician and still lives on the Island today.

Neither son succeeded their father in the press industry, however, Gerald's granddaughter Lauren is hoping to become a journalist following her work experience and plans to study journalism at university.

Gerald said: “I am very proud of my family’s association with the County Press over two generations.

"During my early years, my father’s work very much influenced my view of life on the Isle of Wight.

"Since leaving the Island at 18, I return frequently and always make sure to buy a County Press.”

Lauren said: "Experiencing a week at the County Press has been brilliantly informative.

"Alongside discovering my own history, I have had an expanse of opportunities.

"Beginning on Monday with reporting in a court setting, I learnt how frantically reporters write shorthand notes.

"On Tuesday, at the 2026 Business Expo, I was able to ask questions about people’s businesses for an article published about it that day.

"The work experience includes both writing articles and going out to report on events alongside the reporters.

"All week, the working environment has taught me what life as a journalist is like on the Island and provided a fascinating week which I would promote to any young student interested in the industry."