Melford house was one hundred years old in 2005. The first residents were the Webb-Peploe family . A biography of Murray Webb-Peploe by Katharine Makower, has shown that the Webb-Peploes, part of the famous evangelist dynasty, moved in to Melford House, then called Bracken Glen, in 1905. Murray was famed for his missionary work as a doctor in China and India before settling in the New forest. The family lived at Bracken Glen for many years.  A charismatic character, Murray was one of the founder members of the "Dohnavur Fellowship", which was set up to provide refuge to children, usually orphans, coerced into a life of prostitution in the Hindu temples. The hospital that Murray (a renowned surgeon) helped to found in Dohnavur still thrives to this day.

In his life Murray played for Harlequins along side Eric Liddell (Chariots of Fire), was close friends with Howard Somervell (ill fated 1924 Everest attempt Mallory, Irvine, and Somervell) a and even met on occasions with Gandhi.

Murray's parents Rev. Robert and Evelyn are shown on the deeds as the purchasers of the plot, which was sold at a public auction of land from the manor house known as Farnborough Place in 1902. The land was and still is known as Farnborough Park, and remains the most prestigious area in Farnborough.