Wilbert Awdry
The Gothic Revival architect Benjamin Bucknall was born in Rodborough in 1833. He designed the uncompleted Woodchester Mansion and a number of houses and Roman Catholic churches and convents, particularly in Gloucestershire and South Wales. In later life he worked in Algiers. The Reverend Wilbert Awdry, who wrote "The Railway Series" of children's books that inspired the TV series "Thomas &amp; Friends", moved to 30 Rodborough Avenue in 1965 and lived there until his death on 21 March 1997.