EssexJOURNAL A REVIEW OF LOCAL HISTORY & ARCHAEOLOGY Spring 2015 VOLUME

s: n d io el st fi e h u c u Q t 0 S 2 n J ti E ar M

Spring 2015 Vol.50 No.1 EssexJOURNAL ISSN-0014-0961 Incorporating Essex Review

he ESSEX JOURNAL is published twice a year under the management CONTENTS of an EditorialBoard consisting of T Editorial 2 representatives of the Essex Archaeolog ic al News from the Essex Record Office 4 andHistoric al Cong ress, theFriends of Hannah Salisbury Historic Essex, theEssex Record Office The Medieval Estates of St Bartholomew’s (on behalf of the Essex County Counc il), Hospital, London 5 and the Honorary Ed itor. It is recognised James Kemble that the statutory duties of the County The Marconi legacy: assessing the heritage of 9 Counc il preclude the ERO from sharing the wireless communication industry in Essex in thefinancial commitments of the Tim Wander & Tony Crosby consortium . Tilbury Docks in the Great War: 17 the Dutch & Belgian Connection Chairman: A. Corder-Birch: David Bissenden [email protected] ‘A Fantastical will’: Ongar castle and 19 Hon. Editor: N. Wiffen, MA: the Mitford mausoleum [email protected] Michael Leach Hon. Treasurer: G. Willden: [email protected] The Great War Hospitals of Southend 25 Ken Crowe Hon. Secretary: currently vacant [email protected] Book Reviews 35 Mike Osborne, Hon. Membership Sec : J. Hawkins, MA: Defending Essex, [email protected] (R. Harris) The annual subscription of £10.00 David Edmondson, (cheque made payable to ‘Essex Journal’) Anglo-Saxon England in 100 Places, should be sent to: (J. Kemble) The Hon. Membership Secretary, Peter Minter, 13 South Prim rose Hill, Chelm sford, The Brickmaker’s Tale, Essex, CM1 2RF, (A. Corder-Birch) or paid on-line at: George P. Raven, www.essexjournal.co.uk/subscribe Swimming against the Tide: The Diary of an Essex Copper 1953-1983, Notes to contributors (M. Scollan) Contributions are welcome and should be sent in a Word A.J. Carson (editor) et al format to the Honorary Editor at the email listed above. Finding Richard III: The Official Account of General correspondence can either be emailed or posted to: Research by the Retrieval and Reburial Project, 30 Main Road, Broomfield, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 7EF. (J. Ward) The Editor is more than happy to discuss any proposed Pam & Adrian Corder-Birch, articles as he does not guarantee that unsolicited material The Works: A History of Rippers Joinery will be published. Contributors are requested to limit their Manufacturers of Castle and Sible Hedingham, articles to 2,500/4,000 words, other than by prior (J. Townsend) agreement with the Editor. Style notes are available. Disclaimer Ken Rickwood, Items printed in the Essex Journal do not necessarily reflect The Colne: by Boat Bike and Boot, the views of the Editor or Editorial Board. Contributors, on (M. Fox) behalf of the Essex Journal, have made every effort to trace Ron Bill, and acknowledge ownership of all copyrighted material and A Civic History of Harlow Council, to secure permissions. The Editor would like to hear of any 1955-1985, inadvertent omission in the acknowledgement of copyright (M. Leach) material. Copyright EJ 20 Questions? 41 All written material, unless otherwise stated, is the copyright Martin Stuchfield of the Essex Journal. Enquiries to the Editor.

Main cover illustration: Based on Christopher Saxton’s 1576 map of Essex. (Courtesy of the ERO, MAP/CM/1/1 & H. Salisbury.) EssexJOURNAL 1 EJ Editorial

ere we are then, volume 50 and what a for publicity in this milestone. I’m not sure that when I took digital age. You Hover the helm of Essex Journal back in 2007, can even pay your for the second issue of volume 42, that I had any subscription on it idea of how long I would keep on editing! But if it is currently here we are, almost eight years later and I’m still overdue! Hannah at it. In that time there has been much to learn as at ERO then follows well as meeting lots of interesting people. Also the on with a taster of financial footing of the EJ has improved no end what has been going and in total over the past few years eight (yes eight!) on there over the extra pages have been produced by this issue with course of the last no increase in the subscription cost whatsoever. I six months before do hope that you have all enjoyed the content as James Kemble gets much as I have enjoyed bringing all the issues the articles going together. I think that a fair range of topics have with an interesting been covered by a fantastic selection of authors. piece on the Essex estates of St Bartholomew’s What’s more there is plenty of exciting material to Hospital. Bringing it up to date, Tim Wander come which is lined up over the course of the next and Tony Crosby discuss what is left of the year and a bit. On top of this the Editorial Board Marconi estate which was surprisingly extensive – are busy working away on funding applications so very much more than just New Street and so to enable the 50 volumes, that will have been much that has disappeared over the not too completed by the end of this year, to be indexed. distant past. This will then unlock the full potential of the David Bissenden looks at the vital role that content of the 4,806 pages that have been published Tilbury Docks played in the First World War, since volume 1 back in 1966. Look out for more and the fleeing of civilians from conflict rings a news of this soon. familiar tone with what is going on in the So a forthcoming anniversary for the Essex Mediterranean at the moment. Michael Leach Journal in a year that seems jam packed with follows with the curious tale of Robert Mitford them. There is such a wide range, from the and his will and the Chipping Ongar connection. 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, 600 years I’m not sure you could have made up that story. since Agincourt, 200 since Waterloo, a whole Well done to Michael for finding these delicious host of First World War anniversaries as well as nuggets of information – whatever will he find 75 years since Dunkirk, the fall of France and the next? To finish off Ken Crowe looks in detail Battle of Britain, 70 years since VE day, and the at what happened to the wounded from the 50th anniversary of the death of Winston Churchill. Western front who happened to end up in hospital For those that have been and gone, there has been in Southend. This reminds us of the massive some great coverage. I was quite moved with contribution of the Home Front to the war effort some of the programming around the death of as well as the human suffering that also went on Churchill. However, I thought there was rather far from the fighting. a lot of unnecessary discussion by historians and A selection of book reviews follows, with commentators about Churchill’s legacy and standing hopefully something to suit all tastes, and to finish in the world. Comparing Churchill to our current off issue 1 of volume 50 I asked Martin Stuchfield social mores did not, I feel, bring anything new to if he would very kindly share with us his answers the party. Surely, we can all appreciate that some to the 20 Questions piece. Martin is an ideal of his nineteenth century outlooks, beliefs and candidate for this as he has been so instrumental actions would not be acceptable today. Just as in keeping Essex Journal going for the last 20 years Henry V at Agincourt would now be considered or so. I am indebted to him for all his encourage- a war criminal for ordering the killing of prisoners, ment and support of my editorship over the past so Churchill could be pulled up on some of his eight years so it is with great pleasure that, even decisions. He was a man of his time who was in though he is the busiest man in Essex that I know, the right place at the right time in 1940. Was this I can bring you his answers. Now that he has a case of historians trying to be just a bit too ‘on finished answering these I’m sure he’ll have time message’? Anyway, the anniversaries keep on to finish off writing up important work relating coming this year – perhaps I’ll see you at the ERO to medieval Essex brasses – no excuses now Agincourt event that is taking place later on in Martin!!! the year (details on the inside cover)? In this issue, as I mentioned above, there are All for now, another four extra pages which I have had no trouble in filling. Jason Townsend kicks off with Cheers, an introduction to the Essex Journal website which in his capable hands promises to become a vital tool Neil

EssexJOURNAL 2 he Essex Journal now has a stronger presence on the Internet with the creation of our INGATESTONE HALL Tnew website www.essexjournal.co.uk. Now you are able to access information regarding past issues and read the latest news from the editorial 16th century mansion, team. To keep up with the latest news, you can set in 11 acres of grounds, join the Essex Journal email list or you can add containing Petre family furniture the news feed to your email client using RSS. and memorabilia If you are already a subscriber, you can email the membership secretary tea room gift shop ([email protected]) free parking with your details so that you can be added to the email list. Hopefully, the editorial team will 2015 SEASON be able to send regular updates to you about the Essex Journal and associated platforms. The House and Gardens are regularly open With the advent of the new website, you can Noon - 5 p.m. now subscribe to the Essex Journal online. You on can pay with a PayPal account or any major WEDNESDAYS, SUNDAYS debit/credit card through PayPal. You can now & BANK HOLIDAYS email the Editor using the form on the Contact from 5th April to 30th September page of the website or using the new email address (NB Not Wednesdays in June) [email protected]. Over time we hope the website will become a comprehensive source ADMISSION of information on past issues of the journal and Adults £6.00 a portal for prospective new subscribers. At the Pensioners & Students £5.00 time of going to press, the new website is far Children (5-16) £2.50 from comprehensive but it is anticipated that Under 5s FREE new content will be added often and the amount For pre-booked parties of 20 or more, the above of information will become substantial and prices are reduced by £1.00 per head searchable. No dogs (except guide dogs) PICNIC AREA in Car Park Meadow Jason Townsend Details of other special events may be found on our website (www.ingatestonehall.com) EssexJOURNAL GUIDED TOURS for groups, by prior arrangement A REVIEW OF LOCAL HISTORY & ARCHAEOLOGY ONLY, are available at other times at a fixed charge Reminder to of £125 for up to 25 persons (26-50 persons - £175) SCHOOL PARTY VISITS are similarly available subscribers: outside normal opening hours. Visits generally last from 10.00a.m.-2.30p.m. and cost £5 per head subscriptions for (£125 minimum). Volume 50 were due

on 1st January 2015. HALL LANE INGATESTONE If you have not ESSEX CM4 9NR Tel/Fax 01277 353010 yet renewed your Email sub. please do so [email protected] promptly. Your continued support We are also part of Essex Houses & Gardens www.essexhousesandgardens.co.uk is appreciated.

EssexJOURNAL 3 News from Pthluem Ees sLeixb rRaerycord Office

e have passed a major milestone since We have hosted two book launches so far this last writing for the Essex Journal as digital year – Jonathan Swan’s Chelmsford in the Great War Wimages for all 70,000 of our original wills and Dr Paul Rusiecki’s Under Fire: Essex and the have now been made available on Essex Ancestors. Second World War. ERO felt like the perfect place This means that all parish registers and wills are now to launch both books as their authors had used so included in our online subscription service, making much material from our collections, and we always it a goldmine of information for anyone tracing like to see the outcome of all the research that goes their Essex roots or researching English local or on in the Searchroom. social history. The service is now in its fourth year The latter book launch was our first collaborative and has users in countries around the world. Our event with the Essex branch of the Historical digitisers are pressing on with the next project Association and we look forward to working with which is to digitise our electoral registers, so the them again later in the year on Essex at Agincourt information available will continue to grow on 31st October. and grow. Several school groups have visited over the last Our new events programme for 2015-16 has been few months, including pupils from North Primary launched, including a day looking at the involvement in Colchester who visited as part of their First of Essex men with the Battle of Agincourt, walks, World War project We Will Remember Them, display, workshops, and bookbinding classes. which is investigating the stories of former pupils Copies of the programme are available at ERO from the school who fought and were killed in the or upcoming events can be found online at: War. We also welcomed pupils from Broomfield www.essexrecordofficeblog.co.uk/events Primary School, who wrote a guest post on our blog about their experience at ERO. They seemed to be impressed with their visit, as they declared themselves ‘amazed’, and particularly enjoyed seeing the ‘Broomfield Bible’ which once belonged to King Charles I and is luxuriously embroidered with his royal arms. You can read that they had to say by going to the ERO blog (www.essexrecordofficeblog.co.uk) and searching for ‘Broomfield school’. You can keep up with the ERO by joining the e-bulletin to receive monthly updates. To be added to the mailing list, e-mail [email protected] with ‘e-bulletin’ as the subject.

We hope to see you at the ERO soon!

Hannah Salisbury, Access and Participation Officer

Dr Paul Rusiecki cuts the cake at the launch of his book Under Fire. (ERO/H. Salisbury.)

EssexJOURNAL 4 The Medieval Essex Estates of St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London by James Kemble

earing in mind that St St Osyth, was appointed Prior in Patients came from as far as Bartholomew’s Hospital charge of 13 canons living in the Norwich, Dunwich and from Bin Smithfield just outside Priory and Hospital. From the Essex, but many were collected the City walls has played such a twelfth century benefactors were from nearby Newgate Prison prominent part in so many lives giving land and property to the where conditions were dire. Many of Essex people since its founding Priory and the Hospital from babies and children came under in 1123, it is perhaps surprising which could be derived an the care of hospital before they that there is so little reference income. Half the church of could be sent to suitable foster in Essex journal literature to Danbury and the church of homes, orphanages or found the Hospital. Over the centuries Theydon Bois given by William apprenticeships; in 1444, the it acquired many large and small de Bosco came to the Priory.2 chaplain left money in his Will to farms and estates in Essex from One of the first acquisitions was pay for poor children’s instruction which it gained an income the living of the nearby parish of in grammar and singing.5 sufficient to sustain the needy. St Sepulchre Without Newgate Before 1200, the Hospital This paper discusses the estates from the bishop of Salisbury. The had been given land in Hatfield acquired in the twelfth to six- Prior granted it to Hagno the Broad Oak, four acres by Michael teenth centuries, many of which clerk on condition that he pay Clericus de Atfeld and his wife were still held in the twentieth. the canons 50 shillings a year. which Wlfric Lemerier had held The monk Rahere, a minor Money was always short. Food [1477].6 The grant of Peryfeld canon of St Paul’s, went on and clothing for the sick were (Perry Field in 1838) was made pilgrimage to Rome where he collected from the shops and c.1210 [1478]. Circa 1281, Adam fell ill; he vowed that if he houses, but imposters claiming de la Hoo paid rent of 2d to the returned to London he would to be collecting alms for the Master for pasture he shared with build a hospital for the poor Hospital were rife, for, in 1324-7, the hospital next le Done, called there. True to his word, he built the king ordered bailiffs to Six Acre Downs in 1838 [1499]. the Augustinian priory church, apprehend them.3 These were part of Fryers Farm St Bartholomew the Great, in In 1170 the bretheren who which the hospital still held in the extant nave of which he were looking after the sick were the nineteenth century with over is buried, together with the granted the right to elect their 170 acres from which it collected adjacent monastery and cloister own Proctor, later to be called tithes. Fields called Coulase just outside the City wall in Master. In 1285, Thomas de and Blakesad were given to St Smethefeld, which the twelfth Whitchester, rector of Downham, Bartholomews in the thirteenth century monk Fitzstephen called was elected Master until his century and still retained their campus planus, ‘flat/smooth open death 14 years later, and in 1302 recognisable names Cow pasture ground’. Adam of Roding. Up till 1170 and Blackfield in the nineteenth In 1123, King Henry I gifts were made to the Priory [1505]. Some relief from taxes granted to the Priory the receipts but subsequently the Hospital was granted by Henry III who from a weekly fair on Fridays in administered all such grants. By excused the bretheren from Smithfield and in 1133 an annual 1316 there were seven Bretheren paying tallage on their Hatfield fair on 24th August which lasted and four Sisters serving the estate.7 In 1277 the lord of three days. To these cattle, pigs, hospital, plus several lay brothers. Hatfield Robert the Bruce, sheep, horses, poultry and other Sisters wore grey tunics and over- father of Robert King of the stock were driven in from Essex. tunics, no longer than to the Scots, promised to provide a To the fair all the drapers of ankles, the predecessors of the chaplain at the Hospital to pray London brought their wares nurses’ uniform and apron, for the soul of his mother [1496]. and left them overnight within though reference to ‘nurses’ first Throughout the medieval the protection of the priory occurs in 1646. Sisters entering period the Hospital continued to walls.1 Streets called Cloth Fair, the Hospital for their lifetime acquire lands throughout Essex. Cowcross Street, Poultry Avenue to care for the sick, like some In Burnham, marshes called and Cock Lane are still to be of the bretheren, brought an Colewerd and Walmersh were held found at Smithfield. Duck Lane endowment. One, Edeva daughter by the Hospital before c.1210 and Chick Lane have gone. of Wakerilde of Writtle, brought [1467]. Six hundred years later in On Rahere’s death in 1143, 10 shillings per annum for life, 1844 the hospital governors still Thomas, a canon of the House of from rent of land in Smithfield.4 held 116 acres of Southward which

EssexJOURNAL 5 probably represents Walmersh, for Hill were instructed to investigate gave his father’s inherited land in 1269 Margaret la Brune of a dispute between the Master to the Hospital in Little Burstead Hawkwell paid 20 shillings rent of the Hospital and the Abbot which included Wolvindune, to the Hospital for Suthwalesmers of Beeleigh about a tenement probably recorded as Hover Hill in Burnham [1451]. The Mildmay in Burnham, a case which was in the nineteenth century Tithe family acquired Colewerd through escalated up to the sheriff of Award [1396].11 The Hospital marriage in 1629 and still held Essex [1473]. The Master on also held property by purchase it tithe-free in the nineteenth occasion took tenants to court as tenants; the agreement, century.8 In Downham, the at King’s Bench for failure to dated about 1227, between the Hospital held 18 acres of a field pay rent: in 1305 John Wyth Hospital and John son of Simon called Dalwedone in 1333, reck- of Havering was unable to pay of Dunton for the purchase of oned as 16 acres still its property the rent for his land in Rainham all the tenements and land John in 1843, then called Dully Downs which was forfeited to the held in Dunton from the abbot tenanted by Sarah Clark, part of Hospital [1247]. of Bec Heluin in Normandy is Friern Farm [1303].9 Benefactors of the Hospital now in Kings College Cambridge Relations with local interests included the largest landowners library. The seal showing St were not always amicable; in as well as smallholders. The Prior Bartholomew holding a staff 1342/3 a dispute between the of the Knights Hospitaller of is attached (Fig 1). Hospital and the Prior of Hatfield Jerusalem gave a house with 30 Apart from monetary rent, Regis about the ownership of acres of land in Rainham in 1190 services were paid to the Hospital: Small Tithes was mediated by [1242]. The tenant William sent John Pather of Dunton agreed to the bishop of London in favour every year wheat, rye, barley, mow, reap, measure and bind of the Prior resulting in loss of oats, hay and beans by ship up corn, and to store it at his own revenue to the Hospital.10 In 1415 the Thames to the Hospital expense in barns whose upkeep William Hankeford and Robert [1243]. In 1291 John Travers for which he was responsible, the process to be overseen by one of 1. Thirteenth century charter of the abbot of Becc the priory’s brothers who would concerning purchase of an estate at Dunton. come to inspect the farm ‘with a (Reproduced by courtesy of Kings College Library Cambridge.) boy’. In return John was allowed to keep one quarter of the corn and one quarter of the malt, but he had to provide a bull and 12 out of the 24 cows he had, seemingly a significant rent for him to pay [1385]. This record, dated 1374, post-dates the historic reduction in population by the Black Death of 1348, indicating that tenants still had significant burdens. In addition to land, the Hospital acquired the livings of several churches. In c.1210 the advowson of Little Wakering church and two acres there were given by William of Theydon for the soul of his brother [1415]. The agreement, with its seals, remains in the Hospital’s archives. Income was received from the advowsons of Bradfield, Danbury, and Theydon Bois, as well as from property in Bobbingworth, Colchester, Elmdon, Maldon and Walthamstow.12 The greater monasteries such as St Pauls, Westminster and Barking were also accumulating land and property and there is evidence that there was a strategy of acquisition and exchange to

EssexJOURNAL 6 hold estates easily accessible by younger brother of Thomas, his man (homo) for 38 shillings water or roads.13 It is hard to the Master Auditor. In 1321 which produced four shillings detect any such purpose by the Master of St Barthomews had rent [1408]. Record of individual the Master of St Bartholomews; granted to William de Elsyng, grants and rents were collected in rather he was glad to receive mercer, founder of a new hospital to the Hospital Cartulary from whatever he could. It seems called St Mary Elsingesspytell, a 1418 by the Renters such as John probable that the reputation of shop for his lifetime at a rent of Cok and his successors. John care by the Hospital and the 50 shillings per annum in the Cok, born in 1392, of the family recognition of need made it likely London parish of St Pancras of Benek Cok, labourer, of that grants would be mainly in Soper Lane [855]. In 1431 the Corringham18 inserts personal London, Middlesex and south Prior of St Mary Elsyngspitell in asides such as that Stephen Paule, Essex, so that rent of supplies London received property in a leasehold baker of the Hospital, and of money could be collected Chelmsford part of which became was the most famous baker in without excessively long journeys. the Crane Inn. Thomas Mildmay London! Each entry has been It is clear that the Hospital’s acquired this and adjoining given a number from 1 to 1698 location ensured that it was never houses at 4-6 High Street after with those outside London far from incident. It was the site St Marys had been suppressed starting at number 1167, that is of public execution. Here in in 1537.16 Thomas and Walter 531 entries concerning entries 1305 William Wallace, the Scot were appointed auditors to the not in London. The importance called ‘Rebel’ by the English, was Court of Augmentations to assess to the Hospital of its Essex prop- hanged, drawn and quartered. In which charitable bodies that had erties is illustrated by the fact that the fourteenth century, knightly been deprived should continue. no less than 329 of these relate jousting was held in Smithfield In 1589, Walter Mildmay, to Essex. After the Great Fire in attended by Edward III and many founder of Emmanuel College 1666 had destroyed much of the nobles. In 1381, Wat Tyler had Cambridge, lived in a house Hospital’s rental property in the led the Peasants’ Revolt, many built in the priory church’s City, the financial impact of the of whom were Essex men, into Lady Chapel and was buried outlying estates in Essex assumed Smithfield where they were in the nave of St Bartholomew significantly greater importance. confronted by Richard II and the Great. So great was the loss of rent the Mayor of London, William The City prevailed on King following the Fire that the king Walworth, by whom he was Henry in 1546 to grant Letters gave permission for the governors stabbed, then dragged from the Patent constituting the Hospital to turn rooms in the Great Hospital where he had sought in Smithfield as the parish of Cloister in the remains of the sanctuary and beheaded. In 1446, St Bartholomew the Less, one Priory into shops.19 a servant John David appeached of the priory chapels, and it was Perhaps one of the Hospital’s his master William Catur of allowed to retain many of its most distinguished physicians treason, the trial decided by dual estates. William Turges, the was William Harvey appointed at Smithfield. Catur’s friends king’s chaplain, was appointed in 1609 at a stipend of £25 per unfortunately plied him with as Master, and Thomas Hyclyng, annum. Based firmly on animal so much wine that the servant one of the brethren of the experiment, cadaver dissection killed him, though the outcome suppressed Hospital, a curate and observation, in 1628 and for the servant was not a happy and a Visitor of Newgate Prison, 1649 he published his seminal one, he being hanged at Tyburn as Vice-Master.17 Four Aldermen books De Motu Cordis et Sanguinis, soon afterwards. In 1467, with of the City of London and eight on the Motion of the Heart, and Edward IV in attendance, Lord Common Councillors became De Circulatione Sanguinis on the Scales, brother of the queen, Governors. Each year on View Circulation of the Blood.20 He was challenged by the Bastard Day the Lord Mayor of London resigned from the Hospital after of Burgoine to fight. The first makes visits to the Hospital to the execution of Charles I to encounter, on horseback, felled inspect the wards and attend a whom he had been ordered to the Bastard’s horse. In the second, service at the parish church of attend during the Civil War, and fought on foot, Lord Scales’ pole- St Bartholmew the Less within was heavily fined by the ensuing axe pierced Burgoine’s helm. It the hospital precincts. Commonwealth. He was buried is likely that casualties from these Some time before 1321 the in the family vault in St Andrews affrays were brought in to the Hospital bretheren appointed church Hempstead in 1657, his adjacent Hospital.14 from amongst their number a remains now to be seen there in When the St Bartholomews Renter responsible for recording a large marble sarcophagus. Priory was suppressed by Henry its property, the rent due and Distinctive cast iron Boundary VIII, the Hospital was assessed at properly collected. The Renters Markers with the bell-shaped £35-5-7d yearly.15 From 1545 also recorded transfers by sale head and finial bearing the can be traced the involvement of land by the tenants: Serle de chevron of the hospital with in Essex of Walter Mildmay, Marci sold land in Bulphan to the initials ‘St BH’ can still be

EssexJOURNAL 7 found at the edge of the hospital’s V block on the south side of the Holve Field in West properties. Accessible examples hospital square, which contains Hanningfield, all bordering are southwest of St Mary’s wards and operating theatres. streams. P.H. Reaney, in Place- Church Little Wakering and on With significant reductions in names of Essex (Cambridge, 1935), the northwest side of the church its annual rental receipts, the p.6, suggests the word derives tower, and on the former sea- Hospital continued to need from Old English hwealf, ‘a vault, arch or hollow’ but its use in the wall 350m south of Steeple Wick income which it found increas- thirteenth century suggests a 21 Farm. (Fig 2). ingly difficult to raise, but in wider context such as By the end of the nineteenth 1948 at the inception of the ‘watercourse’. century the Hospital’s Essex National Health Service it 12. ERO, T/A 490/1, copy of property included estates in received £5 million pounds transcript of Essex sections of Asheldham, Barking, Burnham, from the government to cover rental of possessions of priory Layer Marney, Downham, the clinical work. (It is interesting of St Bartholemew, 1306. Dunton, Hatfield Regis, to compare this with an annual 13. D. Keene, A. Burns et al, eds, Hockley, Little Burstead, income in 1546 of £319-9-3d St Pauls Cathedral (Yale, 2004); Mayland, St Lawrence, Steeple, of which just £22 was available J. Kemble, ‘East and Middle Saxon Estates of Westminster and Little Wakering.22 In 1919 for care of the sick after provision Abbey’, Essex Archaeology & the Hospital had to sell many for food and wages for the staff). History, 39 (2008), p.152. properties in order to fund new The Hospital trustees kept the 14. Stow, p.353. building. Five farms at Steeple residual Endowment Fund 15. Ibid, p.347. totalling 1,531 acres were sold by separate, from which it has been 16. Ibid, p.283; H. Grieve, auctioneers Smith, Oakley and able to contribute in significant Sleepers and Shadows, i Garrard of St James’s Square ways to the well-being of (Chelmsford, 1988), p.100. London for £20,700 to Mr patients and amenities.24 17. V. Medevei & J. Thornton, The Partridge who also bought 434 Royal Hospital of St Bartholomew acres of Badnocks Farm in References (London, 1974), p.23. Asheldham for £5,000, 119 acres 1. J. Stow, A Survey of London, ed. 18. Kerling, p.8. H. Morley, (London, 1893), of South Ward Farm in Burnham 19. VCH London, p.520. p.349. 20. Medevei, p.115. for £3,100, and 272 acres of 2. P. Morant, History & Antiquities 21. J. Kemble, Historic Boundary Mayland Hall for £3,500. Farms of the County of Essex, ii Markers in Essex, (Chelmsford, in Dengie, Downham, Dunton, (London, 1768), pp.585, 614. 1997); see http://unlocking Althorne and Hatfield Broad Oak 3. W. Page ed, Victoria County essex.essexcc.gov.uk - EHER were also sold.23 History of London, i nos 15003, 15004, and 13455. The proceeds of these sales (London 1909), p.475-80. 22. J. Kemble, Essex Place-names, contributed to the building of the 4. N.J.M. Kerling, Cartulary of Places, Streets & People (London, Nurses’ Home and King George St Bartholomews Hospital founded 2007), p.20; Medevei, p.33. 1123; a calendar (London, 1973), 23. ERO, D/F 63/1/33/3 & 8, 2. Estate boundary post, p.11. Volumes of sale catalogues for Steeple Wick. 5. Kerling, p.9. sale of St Bartholomew’s Hospital (Reproduced by courtesy 6. Figures in square brackets [ ] refer Estates, 17&25/07/1919. of Essex County Council.) to the entry number in Kerling. 24. Medevei, p.31. 7. VCH London, p.520-5. 8. P. Morant, History & Antiquities Acknowledgements of the County of Essex, i (London, The author is grateful to the 1768), p.364; H. Potten & Archivist, Kings College Cambridge, J. Kemble, The Place-names of for permission to use the illustration Burnham (2005), of the seal of the hospital. He www.essex.ac.uk/history/esah/ acknowledges with thanks assistance essexplacenames. of the staff of ERO and of Place 9. Morant, i, p.221; B. Robinson, Services at Essex County Hall. The Place-names of Downham (2000), www.essex.ac.uk/history/ The Author esah/essexplacenames. After studying at Cambridge and 10. Essex Record Office (ERO), London, the author took a degree D/DB T16/9, Sentence in in Archaeological Sciences. dispute over tithes of Hatfield Formerly he was Consultant Broad Oak, 06/02/1342-3. Surgeon to St Bartholomew’s 11. ERO, D/CT 64A, Little Hospital and currently is Coordinator Burstead tithe apportionment, of the Essex Place-names Project 1838. The field-name is an in conjunction with ERO, Essex unusual one which occurs as Society for Archaeology & History Wolve Field in Writtle and and Essex University.

EssexJOURNAL 8 The Marconi legacy: assessing the heritage of the wireless communication industry in Essex by Tim Wander and Tony Crosby his article sets out to went from strength to strength Chelmsford had other advantages briefly trace the history defining, designing and building as buildings were far cheaper Tof the development of the modern world of electronics, outside London and the county the Marconi Companies in broadcasting and communications of Essex is flat enough for wire- Essex based around key milestones as we know it today. less experiments and erecting in the development of wireless Without question what aerials. Chelmsford also had a communications and the main Marconi did was to invent what direct rail link into the capital and sites on which Marconi’s devel- became an entirely new and huge was reasonably near the Port of oped these technologies and industry, the technologies of London whose huge volume of manufactured the equipment. which changed the world forever. shipping represented one of the The significance of these sites In his hands an obscure, and to Marconi Company’s immediate to the history and heritage of the most people unintelligible branch market places. Chelmsford also wireless communications industry of physics and electrical engineer- had in place a range of existing will be assessed and their current ing eventually became a simple electrical and manufacturing condition highlighted in order consumer product. Throughout industries including Crompton to indicate what heritage of the its operation the Marconi & Co Ltd who by 1881 offered industry in Essex survives and Company offices were always a complete range of electrical what has been lost forever. The located in central London but systems. Crompton’s designed most significant sites, which tell from the earliest days the heart and manufactured dynamos, the story, will be discussed in of the company’s manufacturing, switchgear, circuit breakers, detail but other sites for research and after 1927 its research and motors and electric meters, as and training, manufacturing and development, were centralised well as lamps. These Chelmsford of social significance will also be around Chelmsford in Essex. based industries offered Marconi mentioned. a ready trained workforce and Why Chelmsford? industrial support network.1 Guglielmo Marconi 1898 had been a busy year for the (25/04/1874 – 20/07/1937) young Italian inventor with tests Hall Street, Chelmsford Marconi was half Irish and half and demonstrations taking place In December 1898, Marconi took Italian, an inventor, electrical in the south of England and in out a 20 year lease on Messrs. engineer and pioneer of wireless Ireland, but despite all his success, Wenleys’ furniture store in Hall communication, often being publicity, demonstrations, tests, Street, Chelmsford, which had credited as the ‘inventor of radio’, trials, and even Royal approval, been built by John Hall in 1858 who in 1909 shared the Nobel the Company’s order books as a steam driven silk mill. This Prize in Physics with the German were empty. He still believed mill closed in 1863 due to the Scientist Karl Ferdinand Braun ‘in that the orders would come and decline in the Essex silk industry, recognition of their contributions to meet anticipated demand for but Courtaulds of Braintree, to the development of wireless new equipment the Marconi who survived the downturn in telegraphy’. Marconi was respon- Company sought new premises the trade, ran the mill from sible for building on the work of for manufacturing and administra- 1865 until 1892 when it became many previous experimenters and tion. The existing Head Office Messrs. Wenleys’ furniture physicists and turning a series of at 28 Mark Lane in the City of storage depot.2 laboratory experiments into a London was already overcrowded Hall Street now became the reliable and practical form of and could never support the world’s first wireless equipment wireless communication, later proposed expansion or any form factory, initially employing just known as radio. He was also both of large scale manufacturing. 26 men and 2 boys. It was set up an entrepreneur and businessman, From his earliest research in to manufacture wireless sets and and founded in 1897 The London Marconi had found receivers to Marconi’s latest Wireless Telegraph & Signal that his experiments were often designs, but the new science Company in Britain, which plagued with electrical noise was still in its infancy and the eventually became the Marconi from tramways and lifts, and Company struggled, so had to Company. After 15 years of Chelmsford was still reasonably diversify into manufacturing intensive struggle his Company free from such problems. motor-car ignition coils, X-ray

EssexJOURNAL 9 apparatus and other scientific Street mast soon became one company vacated the site and equipment in order to balance of Chelmsford’s landmarks, the adjacent, original Chelmsford the books. Although having a although now long gone. waterworks site of the 1850s was large factory for such a nascent Marconi wireless equipment sold for housing. However, the industry was ambitious, previously became the corner stone of the world’s first wireless factory has the wireless equipment had growing number of shore based survived with the exterior more been built by hand as required, wireless stations and his equip- or less unchanged. The Marconi using various modified apparatus ment was carried on-board all work’s sign has long since gone bought from established scientific the great Atlantic liners including but the building can be consid- laboratory suppliers, a process the Lusitania, Mauretania, Baltic, ered to the birthplace of the radio that could never hope to cope Olympic and the ill-fated Titanic, and electronics industry in this with quantity production of com- all built at Hall Street. All the country, a blue plaque records its mercial equipment. To fulfil any equipment for the Royal Navy, place in history and the building commercial order, especially for the network of coastal stations is Listed Grade II. The factory the Royal Navy, all equipment parts and numerous other merchant building has remained empty had to be interchangeable and vessels was built there. Equipment since 2010 and is now the subject all apparatus had to be built to a from Hall Street was used at of development proposals for high quality and designed to be the Poldhu station in Cornwall private residential and commercial easily serviced and maintained. that allowed Marconi to send uses, although there are hopes to At the Hall Street works new the Morse code ‘S’ across the use some of the building as a departments responsible solely Atlantic in December 1901 and Marconi Heritage Centre. for their own specific areas of equipment built here was sent research, design and manufacture around the world.3 New Street, Chelmsford were established. In September After Marconi’s left in 1912 In January 1912 Marconi’s new 1899 a transmitting station was the Hall Street factory building Managing Director Godfrey C. built directly across the road served for many years as the Isaacs proposed building the from the factory premises to test Mid Essex Divisional Offices world’s first purpose designed and equipment as it came off the of the Essex and Suffolk Water built wireless factory on the local production line and the Hall Company. In 2010 the water cricket ground in Chelmsford 1. Marconi’s New Street site 1939. The world’s first purpose built wireless factory - ready to meet the demands of World War 2 employing over 10,000 people. The factory was to operate 24 hours per day for the entire war period producing huge volumes of wireless sets for the RAF, Navy and army along with radar systems and numerous components critical to the war effort.(By Kind permission of GEC Marconi.)

EssexJOURNAL 10 that was owned by the Church Construction, using 500 men, in the western half of the site, Commissioners. This whole site started on 26th February 1912 including Building 46. In their would be known as the Marconi and despite a short building place rose Eastwood House, to be New Street Works. (Figs 1 & 2) strike, just 17 weeks later, the used by Marconi Radar after they Architects William Dunn and changeover from Hall Street to had vacated the old Crompton Robert Watson of London the new 70,000 square foot Works on Writtle Road. were commissioned to draw up (6,500 m2) New Street factory The fate of the New Street plans for the first factory to be complex was accomplished in site was sealed following the specifically designed for the just one weekend.4 The original spectacular collapse of the construction of Marconi’s wireless offices and factory were much Marconi Company in 2001. equipment. The hope was extended over the years: in 1927 A successor company, Selex, that the new factory would be additions had been made to remained until 2008 when the finished and working by mid- support work on the imperial factory was abandoned. January June 1912, an almost impossible wireless system and further exten- 2013 saw the start of the demoli- target, in order to show off the sions followed in 1936 to handle tion of most of the site for factory on 22nd June to leading the volume of work. In 1938 the residential redevelopment. All competitors, Government officials five-storey Art Deco Marconi that remains are the Grade II and other experts who would House was constructed and in Listed office building fronting then be in London for the 1941 Building 46 was added at New Street, the water tower Wireless Conference. Godfrey the Glebe Road end of the site and power house, plus Eastwood Isaacs’s plans were not just for a for high power transmitter House. A blue plaque on the new factory; he wanted the new development. After the war office frontage records the fact complex to be a complete self- the canteen Building 720, that the world’s first radio broad- contained village within a town. which at the time had the largest cast was made by Dame Nellie To the north two new roads - unsupported roof span, was Melba from this site and there is Marconi Road (Fig 3) and added. The site probably reached an interpretation board recording Bishop Road - of cottages its maximum degree of sprawl by the significance of the site. All would be built for the 1980, but in 1992 it was decided that remains associated with Company employees. to remove most of the buildings Marconi’s in the vicinity of 2. Marconi’s New Street site 2013. Only Marconi House (now demolished), the front office range, water tower and power station remain. Eastwood House construction had led to the demolition of Building 46, along with the paint, plating and carpenters workshops. The site is now completely redeveloped as housing, office space and car parking. (By Kind permission of GEC Marconi.)

EssexJOURNAL 11 of trans-oceanic and maritime wireless services and by 1920 at Writtle they had evolved to be the only aircraft radiotelephony development group in the world. The remit was to provide the emerging new market for com- mercial aviation with reliable long-range communications equipment, which would be essential for its safe development and operations. When on 25th August 1919 the world’s first commercial scheduled service was started from London’s first civil aerodrome on Hounslow Heath, each aircraft carried an early wireless set designed and built 3. Marconi Road, company housing. (T. Crosby.) by the Marconi team at Writtle. The apparatus was manufactured New Street, as is so often the New Street works for researching at New Street but the design, case, are the staff cottages in the use of radios in aircraft. development, testing, demonstrat- Marconi Road and Bishop Road.5 The plan was to move the ing and installation was all newly formed Marconi Airborne controlled by the Writtle staff. Writtle Telephony Research Department Following the first radio In 1919 the Marconi Company to the village of Writtle, making broadcast by Dame Nellie Melba urgently needed a location that use of a former Royal Flying from the New Street works radio was remote from the electrical Corps hut and landing field in broadcasting became a sensational noise and the high power Lowford (now Lawford) Lane success and the task of making it transmitters being developed and (Figs 4 & 5). Marconi’s had long all happen, to build a transmitter tested in the main Chelmsford been recognised as the pioneers and operate a broadcasting station 4. Marconi’s Writtle site 1922. A lone ex-army hut in the middle of a partly flooded Essex field was destined to become the birthplace of British Broadcasting and the BBC using callsign 2MT - Two Emma Toc. (By Kind permission of GEC Marconi.)

EssexJOURNAL 12 was given to Marconi’s Airborne engineers and technicians. Under one of Marconi’s chief designers Telephony Research Department his technical stewardship by 1926 (later Sir) Christopher Cockerell in Writtle; the future of British the BBC had grown to become (of Hovercraft fame), then a radio broadcasting would be the world’s leading Broadcasting senior engineer with the Marconi determined in an ex-army service and could boast ten main Company at Writtle. Work wooden hut on the edge of a transmitting stations, ten relay upon the first of these Bomber large Essex field! From 14th stations and over two million Command sets was begun on the February 1922, for 11 months, listeners. From an original staff 22nd October 1939, and it was until 17th January 1923 the of four the company had grown completed and flight-tested on young engineers launched and to 552 in number. From its lone 2nd January 1940. This was an sustained the first regular sched- voice in Writtle in 1922, the incredible feat of engineering, uled public radio broadcasting various stations of the BBC project management and manu- service in Britain from a timber could now be heard by 55% of facturing. Much of the work hut with the call sign 2MT. The the country at a strength suitable was done by the Development success of the Writtle broadcasts for reception on a crystal set and department in the original Writtle led directly to the formation of it could also be heard across hut, which had now been joined the BBC. On 14th November Northern Europe.6 by a random group of similar 1922, at 6 pm the first regular The Marconi Writtle site laboratories, also based in huts. broadcast was made from then formed the centre of the Complete equipment was Marconi House in the Strand. Marconi’s airborne radio research installed in operational RAF Peter Eckersley became the effort throughout the 1920s and Bomber Command aircraft by BBC’s first Chief Engineer, 1930s. When war threatened in teams of Company engineers just and he took most of the Writtle the late 1930s, the RAF was still five months later in June 1940, a pioneers with him to build the using radio equipment with very notable achievement for all who new National Broadcasting limited facilities and ranges. New worked on the project in such a service from the ground up. equipment specifications and a short space of time. Over 80,000 When he joined he knew he contract were given to Marconi’s sets of equipment were manufac- was the Chief Engineer because in October 1939, who were tured during the war, the majority he was the BBC’s only engineer. appointed as the main contractor of them being used by RAF and When he left, six and a half years for design and production. One the other Commonwealth air later, he was in charge of 304 of the design teams was lead by forces. 5. Marconi’s Writtle site 1980. The GEC-Marconi site developed in the aeronautical wireless development branch employing over 1,200 people. It played a key role in WW2 as the design centre for RAF wireless equipment. The site was closed in 1987 and demolished soon after to be replaced by housing. (By Kind permission of GEC Marconi.)

EssexJOURNAL 13 Following the end of the Baddow. Research at this site buyout following the collapse Second World War, the Writtle spanned military and civilian of the Marconi group. This site continued to grow, eventually technology covering the full important factory survives in use becoming an important part of range of products, including in Waterhouse Lane, Chelmsford, the Marconi Communication radio, radar, telecommunications partly concealed behind inter-war Systems Limited Company, and microelectronics. As the housing and the remaining but the site was closed on 11th electronics industry developed buildings of Waterhouse Farm, November 1987 and redeveloped the campus expanded during including a c.1600 Grade II for housing as Melba Court the 1940s and 1950s to include Listed barn now converted to where today only an interpreta- research into general physics, the social club. tion board records the heritage of high voltage, vacuum physics Also on Waterhouse Lane the site. Beforehand, however, in and semiconductors. At its peak Marconi’s acquired a site as a 1960 the hut from which the first the Centre employed more than sports ground in 1919. Due to the public broadcasts were made was 1,200 engineers, technicians, post-war expansion of business, moved to Kings Road School in craftsmen and support staff. which severely overloaded the Chelmsford and has subsequently The centre is extant, now being New Street factory and offices, been acquired by Chelmsford the BAE Systems Advanced some activities had to be moved Museums and is now at Sandford Technology Centre. The site out and the sports ground site Mill Museum. includes a prominent local land- was developed from 1954 as a The Writtle site also used a mark, the 360-foot (110 m) high modern broadcast and television site at Guys Farm, just 100 metres former Chain Home radar trans- studio design centre. The post- from the main Marconi site at the mitter tower moved here by war Marconi series of TV top of Lawford Lane. Thought to Marconi’s c.1954 from RAF cameras was largely designed have been purchased at auction Canewdon. It is one of only five here, first black and white sometime in the early 1930s, until Home Chain radar masts from (1949) and then colour (1954), March 1965 the farm housed the WWII remaining nationally and together with all associated Marconi Specialised Components the only one to retain its three equipment including telecine Division manufacturing group, platforms. and later videotape equipment which moved to a new factory at (for recording and reproducing Billericay. This Division, which Waterhouse Lane and TV programmes on film and on had been formed in July 1962, Westway, Chelmsford magnetic tape respectively). All had as its primary function the The English Electric Valve this equipment was manufactured design and manufacture of spe- Company factory in Waterhouse at the New Street factory where cialised components which were Lane was set up by Marconi‘s in sound broadcasting transmitters unobtainable, to the specifications 1942 as a wartime production had been designed and made demanded, from outside sources unit to make electrical valves since 1922 and TV transmitters of supply. In the period 1962-5 and the newly developed since 1935. The Waterhouse these activities expanded to the magnetron, a powerful generator Lane factory opened in 1964 point where nearly 300 compo- of microwaves, which was the to take over the manufacture nents were on general offer. In heart of the improved precision of this equipment from New 1969 the Guys Farm site housed radar sets of 1943 essential for Street but closed in 1999 and the mechanical engineering night location of U-boats (to win was demolished in 2001. The laboratory and during the 1980s the Battle of the Atlantic) and to adjacent Marconi bowls club, it was used for system integration beat the night bombers. Before and rifle and pistol club, that and customer system reference the end of the war seven types of traced their history back to models. The Guys Farm site magnetron were being produced WWII were also demolished. continued in use until the main at a rate of 500 per week. The The site is now occupied by a site’s closure and still retained its English Electric Valve Co Ltd Homebase DIY store and small milking parlour and tiled floors was formed in 1947 to take over commercial premises. and walls from its farm days. The this factory since when it has In April 1900 Marconi farm has now been demolished been developing and making a had formed The Marconi and the site used for a modern range of electronic tubes for International Marine housing development.7 peaceful purposes such as televi- Communication Company sion, marine radar and industrial Limited, known as Marconi Great Baddow heating. In addition tubes are Marine, to provide the shipping In 1937 the Marconi Company made for defence and special industry with radio equipment brought together their various purposes, including ‘seeing in the and trained radio officers. In 1962 radio, television and telephony dark’ sights needed by soldiers the Company moved its activities research teams in a single location, and firemen. The company was from New Street to ‘Elettra the Art Deco style Marconi renamed to e2v Technologies in House’ (named after Marconi’s Research Centre in Great 2002 as part of a management research yacht), a purpose-built

EssexJOURNAL 14 site on Westway, Chelmsford. Other Sites in Essex housing. The Social Club which Marconi Marine also provided Marconi’s had a presence on was in a former Victorian school communications equipment dozens of other sites throughout building on the corner of New for the expanding offshore oil Essex, developed during the Street and Victoria Road has also industry. Following the collapse hundred plus years of its exis- been lost to the redevelopment of of Marconi’s this site was tence, not only for research, the site as has its replacement in demolished and redeveloped design and manufacturing, but Beehive Lane. In 1903 Marconi’s as a car showroom. also for staff training, for commu- built a wireless receiver station nity and social purposes. Many of in Broomfield, Chelmsford, Writtle Road, Chelmsford the sites were small and short which by 1911 was also used The Marconi Company had been lived and hence of minor signifi- for research and training, and active in radar from the earliest cance, while others, including continued in use until the 1960s, days of the new science and its those discussed above, were of but this has also been cleared specialised systems company, major significance historically, for housing. Many others of Marconi Radar Systems Ltd, technically and archaeologically. the radio station sites have been once had a leading place in the Many of these significant sites lost with no indication of their industry. Its products were used have been lost apart from their existence. One exception is the by all the British armed services facades (such as New Street and Ongar Radio Station of 1922, and by the UK civil airport Writtle Road) or in total (such one of the most advanced radio authorities. The company was as the Writtle sites, Waterhouse stations in the world at the time, the largest radar manufacturer in Lane and Elettra House), while which has been lost, but the the UK, employing about 3000 others have survived (such as Hall adjacent 12 staff houses still called people at the Chelmsford and Street, Great Baddow and e2v Marconi Bungalows on Epping Gateshead works. After starting on Waterhouse Lane). Road at North Weald survive at the New Street Works, The building in Frinton which as the only evidence (as with the Marconi Radar moved in 1968 housed the world’s first radio staff houses adjacent to the New to the factory originally built in college, the Wireless Telegraph Street factory) of former Marconi 1896 by Crompton & Co in School of 1901 survives, as does activity in the area (Fig 6). Writtle Road, Chelmsford. Springfield Place, Chelmsford, However, a number of the Marconi’s closed the factory in which was used as a training and more recent industrial units have 1992 and the whole site was drawing office and apprentice survived as they are now used by demolished a few years later accommodation in the 1970s. successor companies. These sites apart from the small office block However, the Marconi School include Christopher Martin fronting on Writtle Road, now of Wireless Communications Road, Basildon to which the a pharmacy. A large housing established in 1921 in Arbour Marconi Aeronautical Division development occupies the rest Lane, Chelmsford has been moved from New Street in 1954 of the site. demolished and replaced with and which now houses Selex; the

6. Marconi Bungalows, North Weald. (T. Crosby.)

EssexJOURNAL 15 Bushy Hill Radar Research industrial buildings are evidence References Station of 1954 in South of how earlier generations 1. S. Norris, From A Borough To Woodham Ferrers now used worked and lived, some within A City; A History of Chelmsford by BAE Systems; the Marconi living memory, and hence have 1888–2012 (Sandy, 2014), Specialised Components Division archaeological and historical pp.83–120. building of 1965 in Radford educational value. They can give 2. W.J. Baker, A History of the Marconi Company (London, 1970). Crescent, Billericay, although this local communities a sense of their 3. T. Wander, Marconi’s New Street is now under threat; and Taveloc identity. They can be adapted to Works 1912-2012: Birthplace of the House in Freebournes Road, new uses benefitting the local Wireless Age (Sandy, 2012). Witham built in 1967 as a economy through regeneration 4. Baker, p.138. microelectronics factory. providing employment opportu- 5. T. Crosby, A. Garwood & nities and attracting tourists A. Corder-Birch, ‘Industrial Conclusion who wish to study this aspect Housing in Essex’, Essex Journal, For over 100 years the Marconi of the County’s industrial past. 43, I, (2008), pp.14-21. Companies’ work in Chelmsford Well-designed preservation of 6. T. Wander, 2MT Writtle: The and Essex dominated and defined historic buildings adds individual Birth of British Broadcasting the modern age of electronics, character to the townscape much (Sandy, 2010). 7. T. Wander, The Marconi Company radio, radar, and mobile commu- appreciated by local communities and Writtle (Writtle, 2012). 10 nications. The company had a and visitors alike. The adaptation 8. English Heritage, Buildings of the massive impact on the working of historic buildings, as opposed Radio Electronics Industry in Essex, and social lives of thousands of to demolition and new build on Survey Report, 2001. Essex people, as well as on the the cleared site, has been proven 9. N. Cossons, ‘Why preserve the County’s townscapes, especially to have greater environmental industrial heritage’, in Industrial that of Chelmsford, ‘reinforcing benefits.11 Heritage Re-tooled, J. Douet, ed, the importance of Essex in the Just as the visible remains of (Lancaster, 2012), p.6. global history of telecommunica- prehistoric burials, castles, abbeys 10. English Heritage, Heritage Works: tions’.8 The collapse of the and grand houses are reminders The use of historic buildings in Marconi group in 2001 still ranks of this country’s rich and diverse regeneration, 2013; Heritage lottery Fund, New ideas need old buildings, as one of the greatest catastrophes cultural heritage spanning many 2013. in British industrial history, but thousands of years, so also are 11. M. Watson, ‘Adaptive re-use and its built legacy is being rapidly the factories and workshops embodied energy’, in Industrial eroded as the buildings where all reminders of a more recent era Heritage Re-tooled, J. Douet, ed, the work occurred are redevel- of urban work and life, a tangible (Lancaster, 2012), p.136. oped, having not been awarded reminder of our past, indicating the protection that such signifi- where we have come from The Authors cant sites deserve. Only two of all and how we have arrived at Tony Crosby studied Industrial these dozens of sites are protected, our present world. It is essential Archaeology at the Ironbridge the Hall Street and New Street therefore that what survives of Institute, has been involved in the buildings being Grade II Listed, our recent past is surveyed and thematic industrial surveys by ECC, the former being redeveloped as recorded in order to inform a and historic building surveys on industrial sites in Hertfordshire. He private residential and commercial developing conservation and has published a number of articles premises, so the public will not planning policy so that significant in Industrial Archaeology Review, other be able to have access to the examples are preserved for history journals. He sits on Historic building to learn about its future generations. Once this England’s Industrial Archaeology significance to history and industrial heritage is destroyed Panel and is a Chairman of the Essex heritage of the City. it is lost forever and cannot be Industrial Archaeology Group. Our industrial heritage has replaced. great value and many benefits.9 This article has identified Tim Wander spent 17 years The Marconi built legacy is just a few of the dozens of sites working for the GEC-Marconi highly significant to Chelmsford in Essex where the telecommuni- Company worldwide, designing, especially, as this is where cations age was developed. It developing and managing radio, telecommunication and control Marconi’s had the greatest impact is a declining resource, the system projects. His lifelong passion on people and place, but also to remaining elements of which for the early days of radio led him the whole of Essex, nationally need to be quickly assessed for to write numerous books including and internationally. Preserving their significance to the history 2MT Writtle; The Birth of British and interpreting for current and and heritage of the industry and Broadcasting and Marconi’s New Street future generations this wealth of afforded the most appropriate Works 1912-2012, and numerous industrial heritage has educational, protection, made accessible by papers and booklets on all aspects of financial (including tourism), and interpreted for the current radio and the history of Marconi’s. community and social, and and future generations. He is now a freelance author, environmental benefits. Former lecturer and consultant.

EssexJOURNAL 16 Tilbury Docks in the Great War: the Dutch & Belgian Connection by David Bissenden

he 100th anniversary for North Sea shipping including The nurses and doctors of the start of the Great the routes to Antwerp in Belgium then set up, and worked in TWar has seen much focus and Flushing in Holland. increasingly difficult conditions given to the diplomatic events One aspect of Tilbury’s in the 120 bed Auxiliary Red leading up to the outbreak of role can be seen in the events Cross Hospital in Antwerp. The hostilities as well as to the fight- leading up to the 11 day siege city was under siege and the ing in Europe. Nearer to home of Antwerp in late September to constant shelling had cut off there were important links early October 1914. The war clean water supplies leaving the between Essex and the continent, commenced on 4th August 1914 only drinking water available which allowed communications and Germany had invaded sourced from old wells - which to continue despite the war. Belgium en route to France was dangerous to drink. Also due The port of Tilbury, and the soon after. The fighting was to the fear of German bombing ferry routes which connected causing massive casualties in no lighting was available at night it to neutral Holland, played an Belgium so there was a pressing so emergency operations had to unpublicised role in the early need for extra hospitals and be done by candlelight. Casualties years of the war, which this trained medical staff to relieve were mostly from the French and article will highlight. the suffering. Belgian armies. The ferocity of One of Britain’s important On the 20th September 1914 the fighting and the type of merchant shipping ports during a number of nurses and doctors, injuries occurring was clearly the First World War was Tilbury led by Mrs Sinclair Stobart, left a surprise to the medical staff. Docks. The port had been Tilbury on the SS Dresden and One of the nurses, an Australian opened in 1886 and so was travelled to Antwerp under Sister Evelyn Trestail said of already well established by the the auspices of the ‘St Johns the wounded: ‘No words can outbreak of the war in 1914. In Ambulance Brigade’. They describe the awfulness of the terms of being an embarkation embarked at 8.30pm that evening wounds, bullets are nothing. It point for troops and supplies but did not leave the Thames is the shrapnel that tears through it was less important than the until 7am due to the fouling the flesh and cuts off limbs and south coast ports, particularly of the anchor. They arrived in many gashes that one cannot Folkestone, Southampton and Antwerp on the 22nd September possibly describe.’2 Dover- which were the gateway via the River Scheldt which The constant German bom- to France and the ‘Western flowed through neutral Dutch bardment of the city made Front’. However Tilbury, along waters. This journey was docu- conditions almost impossible with the other major east coast mented by one of the doctors and prevented any ships leaving port of Harwich, was a key port on board – Mabel. L Ramsay.1 or entering the port. Finally, on the 8th October the medical staff were forced to leave the city as it was about to fall, and so they set off west for the channel port of Ostend, via Ghent. Just getting out of Antwerp was a problem as by now the city was burning due to the incessant German shelling. They managed to obtain a lorry from the British forces and got across the River Scheldt on ‘The Bridge of Barges’ (a temporary pontoon bridge) and the only route out of Antwerp going west. Soon after their escape ‘The scenes of wild panic along the quays at Antwerp as soon as the bombardment began are beyond all attempts at description. the retreating marines destroyed Frantic crowds of women and children and old men swarmed it. Other injured marines were down to the Scheldt struggling madly along every approach, all carried on double decker London clamouring to be taken off in whatever vessels there were buses -these were the buses that available...Tugs and open row-boats, lighters and barges, had previously brought British were instantly crammed with fugitives.’ The Illustrated War News, 11/10/1914. (Author’s collection.) EssexJOURNAL 17 relief troops into Antwerp, ports, they mostly moved to doctors and nurses who had left under the command of London- initially staying at Tilbury on the SS Dresden on Winston Churchill. hostels in Shoreditch and Oxford the 20th September 1914 bound The buses jolted along the Circus before being absorbed into for Antwerp? Most continued to cobbled and damaged Belgian the existing Jewish community. work in field hospitals for the rest roads with the wounded marines Other refugees who had arrived of the war in locations such as on board in agony. The nurse at Tilbury docks were taken by Northern France and Serbia and M.E. Clark from The British train to Victoria station then on many were decorated for their Field Hospital for Belgium wrote to the temporary accommodation good work. The SS Dresden fared about it some years later ‘all those at Earls Court Exhibition Hall less well. In 1915 due to anti inside passengers were either and Alexandra Palace in London. German feeling its name was wounded in the abdomen, shot On one night, Earls Court had changed to Louvain (a town in through the lungs, or pierced 1,500 refugees sleeping in the Belgium) and it ceased its civilian through the skull, often with exhibition halls.4 They were role and became a Royal Naval their brains running out through then moved out to every corner vessel- HMS Louvain. Sadly, on the wound, whilst we had more of Britain and many later played the 21st January 1918, it was than one case of men with a crucial role in the war effort torpedoed in the Aegean Sea and broken backs’.3 They finally providing labour for munitions sunk with the loss of 224 lives.7 reached Ostend, exhausted by factories and the like. One The Louvain was just one of the ordeal, from where they group worked at the Wilkins the ships sunk by U boats after sailed to Folkestone, arriving Jam factory in Tiptree, Essex. all-out war was declared on home safely. The museum there has a frieze Allied shipping by Germany in Another aspect of the invasion produced by the refugees who March 1915. Many of those of Belgium was the growth in the worked at the farm and factory who lost their lives were Port number of Belgian refugees. In done out of gratitude for their of London Authority staff and total about 250,000 Belgians left stay at Tiptree.5 their names can still be found their country for England because Of course many Belgians on the War Memorial at the of the fear of what the occupying didn’t come via Tilbury at all. London Cruise Terminal at Germans would do to them. On the 14th October 1914 a Tilbury riverside. A popular route for this escape total of 5,000 injured Belgian was initially Antwerp to Tilbury soldiers disembarked at Dover. References until this option was lost with the They were then sent to hospitals 1. Women’s imperial Service German siege in October 1914. throughout England including Hospital at Antwerp and However this wasn’t the end of Hylands House, near Chelmsford Château Tourvaille, autumn the story. Just north of Antwerp and the Palace Hotel (renamed 1914, Dr Mabel L. Ramsay, www.scarletfinders.co.uk/ was the border with neutral Queen Mary Naval Hospital) on 165.html, (16/03/15). Holland, and further along the Southend seafront. Local residents 2. S. De Vries, Australian Heroines of estuary of the River Scheldt is would stand outside the ‘Palace’ World Was One (Brisbane, 2013). the port of Vlissingen - then and the ever enterprising Belgians 3. www.edwardianpromenade.com/ known as Flushing. Many would drop tin cans, tied to the war/a-war-nurse-on-the-retreat- Belgians escaped across the border end of lengths of string, to the from-antwerp, (23/03/15). then quietly took the regular Southend residents standing 4. R. Lichtenstein, Diamond Street: shuttle boat from Flushing to below the balconies. They would the hidden world of Hatton Garden Tilbury and freedom. This then fill them with sweets and (London, 2012). went on until spring 1915. After tobacco and pass them back up 5. P. Rusiecki, The impact of this time escape from Belgium to the grateful patients!6 catastrophe (Chelmsford, 2008), p.383. became more difficult due to the There was also surprising 6. K. Crowe, ‘The evacuation and electrified fence that the Germans traffic leaving from Tilbury. In treatment of casualties from installed along the border’s entire July 1915 the German aviator battlefield to Essex’, talk given at length. Escapees across the border and prisoner of war, Gunther Essex at War, 1914-1918 event, in 1915 included wounded Pluschow, escaped from England Hylands House, 14/09/2014. British soldiers who had been as a stowaway on the SS Julianna, 7. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ cared for by Nurse Edith Cavell which sailed regularly from SS_Dresden_(1897), (23/03/15). at her hospital in Brussels. The Tilbury to Flushing. He got onto Germans retaliated by executing the ship via a dangerous journey The Author her in October 1915. across the Thames in a small David Bissenden is a retired Town Other escapees from Antwerp rowing boat and climbed on Planner with an interest in local history. He is also a volunteer guide included the 15,000 Russian board and hid. He was the only for the ‘Tilbury Riverside Project’ Jews who worked in the cities German POW to escape during whose aim is to make people more diamond trade. After they arrived the war and reach Germany. aware of their local heritage. at Tilbury and other east coast So what became of the

EssexJOURNAL 18 ‘A fantastical will’: Ongar castle and the Mitford mausoleum by Michael Leach

n 21st July 1835, at his his grievance against his brother seems to be confirmed by a letter London home in Upper John, a Church of England to his brother in 1829 noting that OGeorge Street, Robert clergyman in Suffolk. In language ‘Pauline has returned from France Mitford, a former judge in the most unusual for a will, he and is awaiting my instructions Bengal civil service, signed his accused him of misuse of loans in her snugbox.’4 Her bequest will in the presence of two amounting to about £10,000. was to be held in trust by his solicitor’s clerks. It is a surprising He referred to his brother’s ‘evil executors to prevent it from document, verbose and deeply habits and propensities’ and stated falling into unscrupulous hands. embittered, and it requires that his son (Robert Mitford’s The eighth clause directed his careful reading, clause by clause, only nephew) was illegitimate.3 executors to construct, on top of to understand the problems sub- In the most emphatic language, the Ongar castle mound in Essex, sequently faced by his executors. he excluded his brother from any a ‘suitable, handsome and durable The preamble abandoned the inheritance, including his share monument’ in which he was usual convention of ‘This is the of their jointly owned properties. to be buried (Fig 1). He further last Will and Testament of...’ and He noted that earlier attempts to directed that the remains of began with the blunt statement assist his nephew had been met his parents and his sister ‘now that he had destroyed his previous with ‘every offence and the lying interred in a vault in the will in the presence of witnesses blackest ingratitude’ from his churchyard of Chipping Ongar’ because ‘circumstances in my ‘unnatural parents’. The third should be moved to this new family’ had completely altered clause justified, in similar terms, mausoleum, and that the sides his mind about how he wished the much reduced bequest to of the castle mound should be to dispose of his estate. He his nephew, and added that a planted with ‘cedar or cypress emphatically stressed his intention letter attached to his will would trees in a manner that may render to cancel all previous bequests provide him, and his father, it ornamental to the town’. He to his wife, his brother and his with a detailed explanation of acknowledged that the ground nephew, coupled with a threat this decision. ‘may not be consecrated’, and that any attempt by them to also that the castle mound did not challenge his new will would belong to him. The difficulties - be considered ‘an overt act ‘there would and even the legality - of fulfill- of hostility’ and would annul ing this clause were to be one of even the small bequests that he appear more the issues in the legal challenges intended to make to them. He to this will. also noted ‘it is my will and than suspicion The ninth clause stipulated desire that even the Law itself that, after the settlement of all the shall not intervene or prevail’ ...to swindle previous bequests (plus whatever in the disposal of his estate, sums were needed for looking an instruction that was, in due me’ after his horses), his residuary course, to be ridiculed by the estate was to pass to ‘the Vice Chancellor.1 After several more clauses Government of Bengal’ to be The first clause stated that he making bequests to other family used for ‘charitable beneficial had already made provision for members and friends, there was and public works in the City his wife in a deed of separation a sixth clause which he erased a of Dacca in Bengal...[for] the drawn up in April 1835. This few months later in December benefit of the native inhabitants provided her with an income 1835. Though the will itself in the manner that they and the of £600 per annum for life. She was properly witnessed, the Government may regard to be was also entitled to the interest erasure was not. The seventh most conducive to that’. on 20,000 sicca rupees (about clause, doubtless unwelcome Two months later, while £2000) which he had settled to his relatives, left £10,000 staying at the Hotel Bristol in on her when they married in to Marie Appoline, also known Paris, Mitford added a dated Bengal in 1804.2 On her death, as Pauline Louigot, ‘otherwise but unwitnessed codicil which his trustees were to seek the Mrs Johnson whom my servants cancelled his bequest for £10,000 return of this capital as part of and her own friends will identify’. to Mrs Margaretta MacCallum his estate. It has been assumed that she in the most vituperative terms. The second clause expressed was his mistress in Paris, and this He stated:

EssexJOURNAL 19 incomplete. He died two days later on 21st April, shortly before the arrival of his other executor, a London solicitor, who had also been summoned.5 This will was complicated by the deletion of clause six, as well as the four codicils, none of which were properly witnessed. The executors’ first problem was to get the will proved. The East India Company, which had an interest as residuary legatee, was represented in at least two hearings before the Prerogative Court of Canterbury which ruled that two of the oral (nuncupative) codicils were invalid, as it was impossible to interpret Mitford’s confused instructions. The written codicil revoking Mrs MacCallum’s bequest, and the third oral one leaving £100 to his servant, were allowed. Probate of the will itself was delayed a further five months in order to obtain sworn witness statements confirming that the signature added to the deletion of clause six, as well as the written codicil, were in Mitford’s own hand.6 In January 1839, in spite of the threat to annul bequests to anyone contesting the will, his widow applied to the Court of Chancery to have clauses eight and nine ruled invalid. The East India Company, as a significant 1. Engraving of Ongar castle mound from the beneficiary under clause nine, Gentleman's History of Essex (1770) showing a domed was again represented in what brick summerhouse on the summit, accessed by a was to become a lengthy dispute. spiral path. The summerhouse was probably a ruin The case initially centred on by the time Robert Mitford made his will. clause eight and the construction (Reproduced by courtesy of the Essex Record Office.) of a mausoleum on the Ongar ‘her conduct proving most Though Mrs MacCallum is not castle mound. It was claimed abandoned iniquitous and named in the amended will, it that, because this could not be infamous almost if not must be assumed that she was the carried out, clause nine was quite beyond the power beneficiary hidden under the invalid, and that the residuary of expression Swindling heavy deletions of the sixth estate should be distributed once, there would appear clause. amongst the beneficiaries named more than suspicion of While on a visit to Paris in in the earlier clauses of the will. her having engaged in a April 1836 Mitford was taken This argument was eventually conspiracy to swindle me mortally ill ‘with a biliary fever’, rejected, and clause eight was with her Relatives Mr Lally and tried to alter his will again. allowed to stand. Counsel then and the woman calling herself He summoned his nephew (one challenged clause nine on the his Wife out of the Sum of his executors) to his death grounds that there was no suitable of ten thousand pounds as bed and, the day after his arrival body to receive the bequest. will appear in documents on 18th April, Mitford dictated Even if there was, it was not & letters that will be found three further codicils to him. His clear how the benefits could in my possession in the voice was failing and most of his be restricted to the ‘native handwriting of these parties’. instructions were confused and inhabitants’ of Dacca. It was

EssexJOURNAL 20 claimed that the bequest might be Chancery, declined to sell the site The Mitfords’ connection used inappropriately to erect ‘a to the executors.7 It is not known with Chipping Ongar mosque or college for dervishes’ where Mitford’s body was finally The Mitfords were not an Essex or ‘a pagan temple’. In spite laid to rest. family, though two generations of these objections, the Lord In 1844 there had been a married into the Boodle family of Chancellor ruled in December further legal challenge in the Chipping Ongar, whose vault in 1842 that the clause was ‘a good Vice Chancellor’s Court from the churchyard is still surmounted charitable bequest free from legal Mitford’s niece. This might by a large table tomb. Mitford’s objection’ and that it should be have been encouraged by the father, John senior (c.1738-1806) paid to the Governor General of aggrieved widow who, after was a captain in the East India India. This reasonable decision her husband’s death, had found Company’s fleet, wealthy enough was delayed by further challenges amongst his papers a deed of in 1766, on his marriage to Sarah both in Chancery and in the settlement on the niece for Boodle in Ongar, to describe Vice Chancellor’s Court, and 20,000 sicca rupees. This had himself as a gentleman. After these were not resolved until been drawn up in 1824 when Sarah’s death on 8th December more than five years later. Giving she was engaged to be married. 1776, her body was returned his final judgement in February As the marriage did not take to Ongar to be interred in the 1848, the Vice Chancellor, Sir place, the deed was returned Boodle vault (Fig 2). One of Lancelot Shadwell, ruled that to Mitford who had written her daughters, Sarah Frances, both clauses were valid. Though ‘cancelled’ on it and added his was also buried in the same normally noted for his judicial signature. The plaintiff claimed vault after her death in 1801.10 courtesy, he observed pointedly that her trustees were entitled John Mitford senior’s connec- that the testator had made: to receive the funds, and to hold tion with the town was sufficient them for her benefit. It was not to justify the expense of an ‘a most fantastical will, and, until March 1848 that judgement elegant marble monument on as he said, one “against was made against the niece, the south wall of the chancel in which it was his will that although it was noted that it had memory of his first wife, Sarah even the Law should not been proper to bring the case, (Fig 3). This came from the prevail”; that might be and that her legal expenses should workshop of the fashionable foolish enough, but you be paid by Mitford’s estate.8 sculptor, Joseph Nollekins, and could not imagine anything Finally, in the early 1850s, is adorned with two putti, one so grossly absurd when in just under £18,000 was paid to weeping, the other decorating point of fact it failed. It must the Governor General of India, an urn with a garland of flowers. therefore be considered as Lord Dalhousie. After due It describes the widower, John though it had never been.’ consultation, it was decided Mitford senior, as ‘some time of that the bequest should be this Parish’ though at his marriage The question of the mausoleum used to build a hospital in what in 1766 he was described as of was not finally resolved until is now Dhaka in Bangladesh. All Hallows, Lombard Street and 1848 when the owner of Ongar Construction started in 1854 no evidence of his residence in castle, Sir John Swinburne, after and the hospital still bears Ongar has been found. In 1802 an approach from the Master in Mitford’s name.9 he was living in Great Portland Street, Maylebone. But the link with Ongar was strong, and his

2. The table tomb surmounting the Boodle family vault in Chipping Ongar churchyard. It lost its surrounding iron railings to a World War II munitions initiative. (Both, J. Cannell.)

EssexJOURNAL 21 will expressed the wish to be buried in the Boodle vault.11 Inscribed on a separate tablet immediately below this monument are three further inscriptions. The first is to a daughter of John Mitford senior by his first marriage; she died in 1801. Below this, two further inscriptions were added to commemorate his second wife, and John Mitford himself. The lettering is compressed to fit the remaining space, and was probably cut some years later. The Boodle/Mitford link was further strengthened in 1814 by the marriage of the son of John Mitford senior (also named John) to the daughter of another Boodle related to the Ongar family.12

John Mitford senior’s second marriage After his first wife’s death, John Mitford senior married Mary (née Allen) by whom he had two sons, John (1781-1859) and Robert (1784-1836), the latter being the subject of this article. She died on 4th June 1784, soon after the birth of her second son. Though unrelated to the family, she too was interred in the Boodle vault in Ongar. Nothing is known about the upbringing of her two orphaned boys. Their father did not remarry and, at the age of 46, was doubtless still working as a ship’s captain for the East India Company. It seems probable that the Boodle relatives in Ongar reared the two orphans; this would explain Robert’s knowledge of the castle mound, and his wish to be buried there. The mound had been landscaped before Robert’s birth with trees and shrubs, and a spiral path had been constructed to the summit, which was surmounted by a domed brick tower.13 In 1792 both boys were sent as boarders to what was then known as Tunbridge grammar school in Kent but in 1799 their ways parted.14 John, the 3. Monument to Sarah Mitford in the chancel of Chipping Ongar older brother, preceded to church, cut by the sculptor. Joseph Nollekins. The added tablet Oriel College, Oxford, took holy beneath records later Mitford family deaths. (J. Cannell.) orders and in 1810 obtained -

EssexJOURNAL 22 through an influential relative, in the demotion of the judge, and ‘to the gratification of his Lord Redesdale a comfortable although the counter charges own immoral propensities’. The living in Benhall, Suffolk, where against Mitford were held to be Master of the Rolls, in dismissing he rebuilt the rectory and laid out ‘partly justified’. In 1827, by then the bill, ruled that, though there the grounds. Within a few years a judge himself, he had another might have been an abuse of he acquired two other Suffolk dispute with one of his colleagues trust, a gift or loan to the father livings. However, according to in Dacca. In November 1828 he could not be regarded as the son’s a contemporary, he ‘had never returned to England on ‘absentee property. He also observed that been intended by Nature for allowance’ and by May 1831 had the allegations in the bill were the Church...and the life before retired on an annuity.16 Though ‘scandalous and impertinent’.18 him was utterly uncongenial to he maintained a London address, his tastes and habits.’ He spent he appears to have spent much Conclusion much of his time in lodgings in of his time in Paris. There can be little doubt that London, leading an active social Letters written by Robert Robert Mitford was not an easy and cultural life and developing to his brother between 1804 man, prone to stormy disagree- a successful literary career. This and 1829 show that John was ments with family, friends and included the editorship of the frequently short of money or in professional colleagues. Two Gentleman’s Magazine between debt, and that Robert bailed him disputes with members of the 1834 and 1850. He also amassed out with many small payments, as judiciary in Bengal were serious a collection of books and objets well as a gift or loan of £6,000. enough to be referred to the d’art, sold after his death for a The letters also show that Robert India Office in London, and a little over £4,000. It is reasonable intended his nephew to be his separate disciplinary matter led to wonder if his passion for heir, and promised financial to his suspension on full pay for collecting outstripped his income, assistance to see him through many months. His marriage and led him to misspend his university. All these offers of was unhappy and childless, and brother’s gift. Certainly his help seem to have been made ended with a deed of separation conscience was not easy at the with unstinting generosity, in 1835. Though he appears to end of his life; according to a though the possibility that John have been remarkably tolerant of friend who tried to console only kept letters that were his brother’s repeated requests for him on his deathbed, ‘his one favourable to his case cannot be financial help over two decades, it haunting thought was the terrible overlooked, particularly as those is not clear whether the payments chance that, for the sins which now in the National Archive were intended as gifts or loans. he had committed in this world, were used in his defence in the Robert’s tolerance came to an he would be punished according 1831 court case. Some of end in 1831 when there was a to their magnitude in the next’.15 Robert’s letters express surprise violent disagreement over what Was this simply an overactive that John was unable to manage he saw as his brother’s abuse of Christian conscience, or had without extra assistance on the his financial support. Judging by he really been guilty of serious income from his patrimony and the intemperate language used in misdemeanours? his Suffolk livings, which totalled the bill, Robert was responsible (on his calculation) about £1,000 for the consequent legal challenge Robert Mitford’s career per annum. Relations between to his brother. In contrast, the younger brother, the two brothers were still His last will and testament Robert, left school in 1799 at amicable in November 1829, written in 1835 expressed in the age of 15 and was sent to the date of the last surviving similarly intemperate terms his India for what he described in letter.17 unforgiving antipathy to his his will - with perhaps a hint Serious disagreements had brother. Considering his legal of resentment - as ‘a long and come to a head by 1831when a experience in the courts of arduous course of service’. He bill was filed in the Rolls Court Bengal, his attempt to put his will filled a series of posts in Bengal, on behalf of John’s ‘infant’ son beyond legal challenge, as well as ending his career as second (then aged nearly 16). The his failure to have the alterations judge in the Court of Appeal in purpose of the bill was to request and additions properly witnessed, Dacca. He appears to have been the court to appoint a ‘proper is surprising. a contentious employee. In person’ to superintend what Was he simply a man of 1815 he was suspended for was left of a gift of £6,000, violent emotions, aggravated many months from his work as intended for the maintenance and by envy of his older brother’s a revenue collector for ‘acts of education of the ‘infant’ plaintiff. comfortable life as a country undue severity’. Four years later In language that can only have parson, collector and bibliophile, he was involved in a dispute been Robert’s, the bill claimed and resentful of the repeated with a judge in Shahabad. that much of the money had subsidies needed to maintain This came before the Court of been already spent ‘for his this lifestyle? On the contrary, Directors in London and resulted (brother’s) private purposes’ the surviving letters suggest that

EssexJOURNAL 23 he was very supportive of his Robert Henry, was born nine who was the youngest son of brother, and more than willing to months later on 24th July 1815. John Boodle senior of Ongar. respond to his frequent requests W.P. Courtney, rev. J.E. Barcus, Hart, p.139. for money over the best part of ‘Mitford, John (1781-1859) 13. Anon, History of Essex by a two decades. It was not until the in Oxford Dictionary of National Gentleman, iii (Chelmsford, late 1820s that his letters show Biography, http://oxforddnb.com. 1770), pp.314-6. view/article/18856, (04/08/14). 14. Hart, p.188. Though there is serious concern about his 4. See, for example, the Banglapedia no printed entry for Robert brother’s failure to live within entry for Robert Mitford at Mitford in the register, the copy his income. Matters came to a www.banglapedia.org/ in Tonbridge School library head in 1831 when he believed HT/M_0331.htm, (25/07/14); contains a handwritten that money intended for his CUL, MS Add 8910, letter biographical note about him nephew’s education was being from Robert Mitford to his supplied by Lt Col B. Rogers, misspent. This may have been brother, 29/9/1829. MD. There is also additional a particularly sensitive point, as 5. Information about the death handwritten information about Robert regarded his nephew as bed scene in Paris is drawn his brother John. his heir, and had been concerned from the report of the Probate 15. J. Foster, ed, Index Ecclesiasticus for some time about his lack of Court of Canterbury (PCC) (Cambridge, 1890), p.122; enquiry into the validity of W.P. Courtney, rev. J.E. Barcus, progress at school. Four years the codicils. The Times, legal ‘Mitford, John (1781-1859)’ later his ‘fantastical’ will shows report, 21/04/1837, p.7. in Oxford Dictionary of National that he was still deeply embittered 6. The Times, legal reports, Biography, http://oxforddnb.com. by his brother’s behaviour. The 21/04/1837, p.7 & 03/06/1837, view/article/18856, (04/08/14); reason for the row is understand- p.5. The PCC granted probate M.C.Houstoun, Woman’s able but why did it cause such on 16/11/1837, TNA, PROB Memories of World-Known Men a deep and irreconcilable rift 11/1886/403. (London, 1883), pp.123, 178, between the two men? Is it 7. The Times, legal reports, 201. possible that a chronic illness – 19/11/1841, p.6; 09/12/1842, 16. TNA, J 90/599, Robert not unusual in those who had p.6; 20/12/1842, p. 6; Mitford’s letters to his brother, served in India – had exacerbated 18/02/1848, p.7; 25/02/1848, 14/11/1815, 05/04/1816 & p.7; R. Ibbetson Porter, A few 03/10/1816; British Library, his quarrelsome nature and Notes on the Town and Parish of IOR/F/4/568/13982 & seriously impaired his judgement, Chipping Ongar (Ongar, 1877), 569/13983-4 & 1305/51784. or had his brother crossed some p.3. In 1842 the Lord Chancellor Brief details of his career are moral boundary that he was had instructed the Master in found in E. Dodwell, ed, unable to forgive? Unless further Chancery to establish the cost Alphabetical List of The Honourable letters or a diary come to light, of acquiring the castle mound, East India Company’s Bengal Civil it is unlikely that we shall ever landscaping it and constructing Service (London, 1839), pp.332-3. know. a suitable mausoleum. This was 17. About 40 of Robert’s letters estimated to be £1,269. (some incomplete) have survived, References 8. The Times, legal reports, mostly written from India. 1. The National Archives (TNA), 23/04/1844, p.7; Those at TNA were deposited PROB 11/1886/403, will of 13/03/1848, p.7. by order of the court after the Robert Mitford, 25/11/1837. 9. www.banglapedia.org/ conclusion of the Mitford v 2. Elizabeth Anne Pattle (1779- HT/M_0331.htm, (25/07/2014). Mitford case of 1831. 1859) whom he married in 10. Essex Record Office (ERO), TNA, J 90/599; Marshadebad on 30th June D/P 124/1/1 Chipping Ongar CUL, MS Add 8910. 1804. She suffered from poor parish register (marriage of 18. The Times, legal report, health, necessitating several John Mitford & Sarah Boodle, 24/01/1831, p.4; return visits to England. 29/05/1766; burial of Sarah TNA, J 90/599, letters Cambridge University Library Mitford 13/12/1776; burial of from Robert Mitford (CUL), MS Add 8910, letters Mary Mitford 11/06/1784; to John Mitford. from Robert Mitford to his burial of Sarah France Mitford brother, 1/6/1804, 4/5/1813, 01/07/1801): J. Bettley & Acknowledgements 18/8/1820, 15/8/1823 & N. Pevsner, The Buildings of I am very grateful to Beverley 7/3/1828. The sicca rupee England: Essex (New Haven & Matthews, the Tonbridge School was the official currency in London, 2007), p.233. librarian, and Mark Lockett for Bengal until 1836; it weighed 11. W.G.Hart (ed), The Register of invaluable information and slightly more than the East Tonbridge School 1553-1820 suggestions, and to John Cannell India Company’s rupee, and (London, 1935) p.188; TNA for the photographs. was nominally valued at two PROB11/1445/3, will of shillings. John Mitford, 02/06/1806. The Author 3. It is difficult to understand the 12. John Mitford junior married, at Michael Leach is a retired GP and basis of this accusation. His St George’s, Hanover Square, local historian who has lived under brother was married on 21st Augusta, second daughter of the shadow of Ongar Castle for October 1814, and his only son, Edward Boodle (21/10/1814) over 40 years.

EssexJOURNAL 24 The Great War Hospitals of Southend

by Ken Crowe s the war clouds were Red Cross Society and St John in the various public and private looming in 1914 it was Ambulance Brigade members properties offered to the Red Arealized that there would (Fig 1).1 When war broke out Cross. Once the properties had be an urgent need for a vastly in 1914 the Detachments worked been inspected and declared increased provision of hospitals, together under the umbrella of suitable, the Detachments both at home and abroad to deal the Red Cross (and governed were responsible for raising with the expected casualties. The by the Joint War Committee), the necessary funds (through existing Military hospitals, mostly while each Detachment retained subscriptions and donations) for in garrisons, would be expanded, its own identity. There were equipping and maintaining the and many civil hospitals would male detachments, normally hospitals, a committee being assign a number of beds, or responsible for transport and formed for each VAD hospital whole wards, to military use. orderly work, while the female for this purpose. It is very At the outbreak of war a very detachments assisted nursing staff unlikely, however, that the large number of other properties in the hospitals (both at home smaller hospitals ever approached were offered and taken over for and abroad, although we shall the ideal regarding facilities as hospital use. These ranged from be looking only at those in the laid down in the standard public buildings, such as school Southend area) and provided guides for VADs.3 and village halls to hotels and refreshments at rest stations. The hospitals were arranged private houses. By early 1915 there were in in a hierarchy for administrative – In 1909, at the instigation Essex 54 women’s detachments and medical – purposes. Military of the War Office, Voluntary (1,676 members) and 21 men’s hospitals took the most serious Aid Detachments (VADs) had detachments (738 members).2 casualties direct from ambulance been formed in each county, The VADs established train convoys, and they then principally formed of British voluntary (i.e. auxiliary) hospitals distributed (i.e. directed the less

1. Men from St John Ambulance (Essex VAD 45) acted as Orderlies in Queen Mary’s RN Hospital. (Reproduced by kind permission of Allan Davies, Unit Manager, St John Ambulance, Southend.)

EssexJOURNAL 25 serious) patients to the various The Great War Hospitals of from Guys Hospital (later Sir auxiliary war hospitals that Southend William Hale-White) being were affiliated to them. The There was a total of six hospitals chairman. Her Majesty, Queen auxiliary hospitals were originally in the Borough of Southend in Mary, consented to become pres- assigned the status of ‘A’ and the Great War (Fig 3). One of ident of the hospital which took ‘B’, the latter being for these, the Victoria Hospital, was the name Queen Mary’s Royal convalescing servicemen.4 a civil hospital that had opened Naval Hospital. The Committee’s Very soon, however, the (in Warrior Square) in the late first secretary was R.A. Corbett, larger and better equipped nineteenth century. Shoebury followed by E.R. Homfray. Auxiliary hospitals also took Garrison (military) Hospital The hotel was acquired rent- casualties direct from convoys, had been opened in the mid- free, the Committee paying all and were known as Primary nineteenth century. The other taxes and insurances (and at the or ‘P’ hospitals (Fig 2). In the four ‘war hospitals’ were end of the tenancy, in July 1919, county there were recorded a converted from other buildings – paying the owners £6,000 in total of 23 ‘A’ class Auxiliary two hotels, a holiday (children’s) reparation).12 Following an appeal hospitals and 10 ‘B’, although home and a recently completed in the name of HM the Queen this list is not complete.5 convalescent home. for funds to adapt and equip the Southampton and Dover Very little is known about Hotel for hospital use, a total of were the main disembarkation Shoebury Garrison hospital, few about £21,000 was raised. This, ports for casualties from the relevant records having survived. at least, enabled the agreement Western Front. The Director It may have taken the most with the owners to be signed for of Medical Services received serious cases direct from ambu- the occupancy of the building, notification of the arrival of lance trains, but the relationship beginning on 21st September hospital ships and the number (if any) between the Garrison 1914. A few days earlier Alfred of casualties to be landed. He hospital and the local Auxiliary Tolhurst’s son, Bernard, had received, on a daily basis, hospitals is entirely unknown. donated £1,000 to the hospital.13 information from each main On 6th August 1914 a Meanwhile the Essex 34 hospital in the country regarding War Office telegram was issued Voluntary Aid Detachment took how many beds were available instructing all military hospitals over the Glen Holiday Home in in each hospital, both military to be expanded to their fullest Southchurch Road, for use as an and auxiliary.6 Later in the war extent and, by mid-October the auxiliary (Red Cross) hospital.14 other disembarkation ports were Shoebury Garrison Theatre had The Glen, also known as opened in Britain, including been fitted out for hospital use, St Saviour’s Poplar Retreat, was Portsmouth, Folkestone, and by the end of the month the a children’s holiday home before Liverpool, London, Glasgow, Long Course Officers’ quarters the war. All the cleaning and Tilbury, Boston, Hull, Leith, were also being equipped for use other work needed to make the and Newcastle.7 While some as a hospital. This was in addition building fit for hospital use was patients were landed at Southend to the Barrack Hospital, built achieved by the ladies of the Pier,8 the vast majority were in 1856. In May 1916 further detachment.15 The building transferred from hospital ships expansion of the facilities took was ready for the first casualties at the ports to ambulance trains place, possibly in anticipation in October 1914, initially for their onward journey to of the forthcoming Somme with 50 beds in 12 wards. The hospital. offensive. And this is as far the commandant was Dr W.E. Baker Receiving rail stations surviving records can take us.10 of Thorpe Bay, the Medical in Essex were Brentwood, Immediately following the Officer being Dr T.B Sellors, Chelmsford, Clacton, Colchester, outbreak of war the Palace in the local medical practice Saffron Walden, Southend Hotel, on Southend’s Pier Hill, of Sellors and Powers, Genesta and Stratford. There were also was identified as a potential Road, Westlciff-on-Sea.16 ‘Rest Stations’ at Kelvedon and hospital. Whether the building The members of Essex 34 Witham, where Red Cross VADs had been offered by its owner VAD were soon accumulating would distribute hot drinks and (Alfred Tolhurst) to the Red stores, garments and other sandwiches to the casualties in Cross11 or whether the owner materials in readiness for a the ambulance trains.9 had been approached by the new hospital in the town,17 as On arrival at Southend Admiralty, is not clear. On 8th it became obvious that the (Southend Central – Midland; August Fleet Surgeon Munday Glen was not going to be large or Southend Victoria – Great inspected the building, declaring enough. In January 1915 they Eastern Railway), the ambulance it suitable for a naval war hospital. took over and converted the train was met by medical staff Twelve people were found to Overcliff Hotel (Fig 4) which, at and by orderlies from the local form a committee, which met that time was to let and probably Voluntary Aid Detachments, for the first time on 10th August vacant, initially accommodating whose work is discussed later. 1914, Dr William Hale White, 75 beds.

EssexJOURNAL 26 2. The majority of Great War auxiliary hospitals in Essex were affiliated to the Central Military Hospital at Colchester. (Map, C. D’Alton.) A much smaller property, Officer for the nursing staff at Guys, gaining her nursing the Hamilton Convalescent (both professional nurses and the certificate in 1900.21 She had Home on Thorpe Bay seafront VADs) and the management of been a matron in a military (Frances Wassell listed as Matron, the patients. The Quartermaster hospital in South Africa in 1901 Mrs Hamilton, owner), was taken was responsible for the security and, following her work at over, with accommodation for of the patients’ kits and also for Southend, was awarded the eight patients.18 Presumably this issuing and accounting for equip- Royal Red Cross medal (first property remained a convalescent ment and supplies.19 A major role class), ‘in recognition of her home for recuperating service- was played in all of the hospitals valuable work in connection men during the war. by doctors from local medical with the war.’22 On alternate practices, including those nights assistance was rendered by Staffing working in the town’s Victoria nurses of the 116th Essex VAD Each of the Auxiliary Hospitals Hospital (Warrior Square). (St John). A total of about 30 was under the control of a The majority of the nursing VAD nurses helped at Queen Commandant, who was staff in Queen Mary’s Royal Mary’s, 15 of them working responsible to the County Naval Hospital were trained throughout the whole war.23 Director (Red Cross) for the nurses (13 trained at Guys and One of the VAD members was building, equipment and supplies four from other hospitals20); they Elizabeth Ingram from Southend; and the hospital finances. The were under the supervision of the she joined as a VAD nurse in Medical Officer was in overall lady superintendent (Lady Maud June 1917, working until the control of medical and surgical Wilbraham) and the Matron, hospital was demobilized in matters, while the Matron was Ellen Kate Finnemore. Kate May 1919, notching up a total responsible to the Medical Finnemore had also been trained of 1,234 hours.24

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EssexJOURNAL 28 The consultants at Queen Southchurch Road), providing without some remuneration.32 Mary’s were all Guys men, a total of 116 beds. Mrs Mitchell (chair of the Glen resident doctors coming from The Overcliff Hospital, Hospital Committee) raised the Southend’s Victoria Hospital occupying a vacant hotel over- question (in June 1917) of two (Warrior Square) and other looking The Leas at Westcliff, of her VAD staff, one a cook medical practices in the town. was occupied from January 1915. and the other a nurse, who were Dr William Hale White, chair- The Commandant and Medical being paid, and therefore, she man of the Hospital Committee Officer was Dr Thomas Brice asked, could they continue to was also visiting consultant and Poole. Mrs Earle was matron be regarded as VAD members? Commandant. The senior until February 1918 when she Dr Poole proposed that, in order resident Medical Officer was resigned, being replaced in that to overcome this problem, he R.H. Chisholm, soon replaced position by the long-serving be allowed to form a Benevolent by Evelyn Scott (House Physician nurse at the hospital, Mrs Fund, from which his VAD at Guys Hospital, 191525), with Henderson. Records of the exact nurses could be paid, which Ronald Sells as Junior Medical number of trained nurses and was agreed.33 Officer.26 The Orderlies were VADs working at the Overcliff Regarding the payment of from Voluntary Aid Detachment at any specific time have not doctors in Auxiliary Hospitals, 45 (Commandant H.L. Jones), survived, but the British Red the War Office agreed to assisted by VAD 43 (Fig 1). Cross Society’s Hospital Card for remuneration based on a sum Queen Mary’s RN Hospital, the Overcliff lists a total of 22 of 4d per patient per day (for at its fullest extent of 350 beds, nurses (some of these probably category ‘P’ hospitals) and 3d was divided into 11 wards; on VADs) over the period from (for Category ‘A’) to a maximum the ground floor Mary ward with September 1915 to January 1919. payment of 17s 6d and 12s 6d 50 beds, staffed by three sisters, Even this list is not complete, the respectively.34 The visiting three nurses and one male nurse; names of two known VADs, Effie doctors at Queen Mary’s Royal George Ward with 50 beds, two May Oliphant and Mrs Nelson Naval Hospital (through Charles sisters, three nurses and one male Keys being absent. Forsyth35) had asked for a nurse and Kitchener Ward with Like the majority of VADs, payment of £100 annually for 20 beds, one sister and two E.M. Oliphant was from a each member of the medical staff, nurses. On the first floor were prosperous local family, and could but was forced to accept the War seven wards: France (one sister, afford to give up her time freely; Office offer, which was regarded, one nurse), Albert (one sister, she had to wait until 1915 before he wrote, as an ‘honorarium, and three nurses), Elizabeth (three she could begin training, joining can scarcely be held to be in any sisters, four nurses), Serbia (one her local VAD (34) and going to sense payment for the work we sister, one nurse), Newfoundland Red Cross and Home Nursing are doing.’36 (one sister, one nurse), Japan (one lectures. In January 1916 she The annual accounts of the sister, two nurses), Edward and passed her nursing examination VAD hospitals, and those of Russia Ward (three sisters, four and in March she was asked Queen Mary’s Royal Naval nurses).27 to join the nursing staff at the Hospital, show that in no year At the Glen Red Cross Overcliff.30 In fact she worked in did grants cover the running hospital the staff included the the ‘still room’ at the Overcliff costs of the hospitals. matron, Mrs Wakeling, soon Hospital on a part-time basis, replaced by Mrs Swan, and six from August 1916 until January Funding of the Hospitals trained nurses, a masseuse, paid 1919, a total of 430 hours.31 Each auxiliary hospital received cook and kitchen maids and 21 VAD members working in a capitation grant from the War VADs.28 Four of the VAD nurses military and naval hospitals Office which, at the outbreak of worked for the full 4½ years were paid at a rate of £20 a war, was two shillings per bed per of the war, others working for year and were expected to sign day, rising to 3s 6d by December between three and four years.29 a six month contract. VADs in 1918. Unoccupied beds were The house surgeons at the Glen auxiliary hospitals normally allowed a reduced grant of 6d per were Drs.T.B. Sellors (the first received expenses only, most day.37 Grants were also provided medial officer in charge of the of them living locally. There by the Ministry of Pensions for hospital, who later resigned to was much discussion in the soldiers and sailors who had take up duties in France), R.H. Red Cross about the difference been discharged and who were Powers, H.E. Simpson and the in treatment between VADs attending Auxiliary Hospitals as Commandant himself, all local working in military and in out-patients. Small grants were doctors. In December 1916 the auxiliary hospitals, some seeing it provided by the Red Cross, hospital was expanded, with new as unfair. Dr Brice Poole of the such as the payment of rent for ward accommodation and new Overcliff Hospital stated that the Recreation Room at the x-ray equipment and, in July several VAD nurses at his hospital Overcliff38 and the contribution 1917 an annex was opened (in would be unable to continue towards the cost of the Glen

EssexJOURNAL 29 County Needlework Guild, manufactured sheets and pillows, the Leigh Branch contributing towels, pillow-slips and other bed linen.44 Local schools helped also, the boys of Southend High making splints and, in 1917, the girls of Southend High gave a concert in order to raise funds to help the Naval hospital buy new x-ray equipment.45 Competitions and an ‘ABC’ sale were also organized for the same purpose.46 Queen Mary’s Royal Naval Hospital benefited from the patronage of HM Queen Mary herself, who contributed 4. The Overcliff Hotel, Westcliff, was converted to hospital use generously to each of the annual by members of Essex VAD 34 (Red Cross) in January 1915. Gift Days organized for that (Reproduced by kind permission of Terry Rayson.) hospital. The Gift Day held in July 1918 will serve as a fairly extension. However, the running made appeals directly to the typical example. Queen Mary costs of the hospitals was always public through its annual Gift gave £100, the amount from more than income from these Days and Splint Fund. Other all other donors amounting official sources (which was never registered charities included the to £377. Sales of souvenirs meant to cover the full cost; at Southend Hospital Supply Depot, including postcards brought in the Glen it was calculated that the the Thorpe Bay Ladies’ Hospital about £420, while street and cost of running the hospital was Aid Committee, the Southend other collections brought in 9d per man per day more than County Borough Needlework about £350.47 Annual appeals they received from grants39); the Guild and, of particular relevance raised sums from £500 (1915) Auxiliary Hospitals were expected to our theme, the Overcliff to almost £2,500 (1918). The to raise the difference locally, Hospital Food Fund and the Gift Day also brought in large through a variety of means. Southend-on-Sea Charity quantities of provisions for the With so many charitable Entertainments Committee.41 hospital including, for example, bodies raising so much money for Although the Glen and Overcliff eggs, sugar, tea, chickens, flour, the hospitals and other causes in Hospitals both announced that bacon, together with cigarettes, support of the war effort, concern they would apply for registration tobacco and matches.48 The was raised regarding the potential under the Act, neither appears in annual Gift Days were also for fraud. The County Director the Register.42 the opportunity to attract of the Red Cross had instructed While some properties had more subscribers.49 that the Glen be administered by been given to the War Office Fundraising for X-ray a separate committee from the or Red Cross with funding by apparatus will provide a typical Overcliff ‘to prevent overlapping their donors, most hospitals example of the various strategies and the possibility of fraudulent needed a list of local subscribers employed to fund a specific collectors,’40 and a separate who would provide the funding objective, while also introducing Voluntary Aid Detachment necessary for the establishment the principal players in fund (Essex 28) was established to run of the hospital. As we have seen, raising in the Borough. In April the hospital. The following year subscribers to the Queen Mary’s 1916 Mrs Hazel Nelson Keys the War Charities Act (1916) was Royal Naval Hospital had raised organized an ‘All-Star Matinee’ passed, requiring each charitable a total of £21,000 by September at the Hippodrome theatre body that appealed directly to the 1914, (total subscriptions (Southchurch Road) in aid of the public for funds to be registered, eventually amounted to almost Overcliff Hospital, the proceeds local authorities (e.g. Southend £34,00043). The Red Cross of which (about £200) helped Borough Council) administering central stores (Chelmsford) towards the cost of new X-ray the Act. together with the local War apparatus at the hospital.50 Mrs There were ten charities in Hospital Supply Depot (Hamlet Nelson Keys, of Westcliff, was Southend registered under the Court Road, Westcliff) provided a VAD nurse at the Overcliff Act, including Queen Mary’s much of the equipment and hospital from the outbreak of Royal Naval Hospital, coming bedding required, while local war, and throughout the war under the terms of the Act support groups and ‘working organized many charity events, presumably because its committee parties’, such as the Southend including Flag Days in aid of

EssexJOURNAL 30 the hospital and other causes. the Overcliff Food Fund, which February 1915, to undertake She also sold programmes and received donations in money and orderly work at the Glen and worked in the War Supply kind for the wounded soldiers in Overcliff hospitals and the trans- Depot. The nurses and patients that hospital. A lengthy account portation of casualties. Working of the Overcliff presented her in the local press54 described the in conjunction with the military with a silver mug in recognition weekly contributions of groceries, hospital, Essex 47 transported of her charity work.51 vegetables and other foods, which casualties landed at the Pier head In December 1916 the were all meticulously accounted from Chatham to the local new extension and ward (for 12 for by the store-keeper, Miss hospitals and, together with patients), which included a new Pritchard. In February 1917 Fred drivers from Essex 34, also X-ray machine was opened at the Donnithorne organized a concert collected casualties direct from Glen Red Cross hospital at a cost in aid of the Food Fund;55 in fact, the military hospital at Chatham. of £375. Despite a contribution so well supplied was the hospital Members of the St John from the Red Cross of £100 that the Red Cross Food Ambulance detachments (45& 43) ‘considering the excellent work Inspector’s report criticized the worked under their commandant, carried out by the hospital,’52 the management of the hospital for H.L. Jones, who was Acting latter was now in considerable what appeared to be too liberal a Transport Manager for debt, to help alleviate which a diet.56 This must be seen against Southend.61 In April 1918 the charity concert was held in the the background of increasing National Sporting Club presented Cannon Street Hotel (London). food shortages and rising prices, three ambulances to the Southend Proceeds were to be divided a concern which led to the section of the Essex Motor between the City of London appointment of a Director of Volunteers62 while a few days Red Cross Hospital and the Food Economy at Auxiliary later the Mayor of Southend Glen. A charity fair at the Kursaal Hospitals in December 1917.57 received, on behalf of St John was also held (£150 to the Glen) Ambulance (Essex 45), a new followed by a special concert at Transport and Orderlies ambulance provided by public the Hippodrome, organized by The three men’s VADs in the subscription.63 Mrs Frank Allen.53 Mrs Allen Borough, Essex 47 (Red Cross, Other vehicles had been had organized the first war fund based at Leigh), Essex 45 and 43 requisitioned from local firms, entertainment in the Borough (both St John in Southend) were such as Luker’s Brewery, whose and, with her husband had responsible for transporting the delivery vans were modified for organized flag days in aid of wounded from ambulance trains ambulance work. Private cars blinded soldiers and sailors at to hospital58 and for providing for transporting patients were St Dunstan’s, Regents Park; orderlies in the three auxiliary provided by members of both she also helped to establish the hospitals. This was apart from the Southend branch of the Thorpe Bay working party of their First Aid work (most Essex Motor Volunteers and the Red Cross Society. notably during the air raids of the Southend Auto Club; these Fund-raising concerts in aid 1915 and 1917) and any day volunteers also provided the of all three auxiliary hospitals jobs they held. transport for taking convalescing were held fairly regularly, Members of VAD Essex 45 patients for outings to local principally at the Hippodrome and 43 provided the orderlies country houses in the summer. Theatre. Many of these were for Queen Mary’s RN Hospital. organized by the Southend-on- They were each required to The Patients Sea Charity Entertainment undertake one of five shifts at Queen Mary’s RN hospital was Committee (a registered War the hospital, varying from seven originally established as a Naval Charity), through its secretary, hours (7 pm to 2 am) to four auxiliary hospital; however for the Fred Donnithorne (a local baker hours (e.g. 11 pm to 3 am), first year of the war it received and tireless supporter of war and each man was expected to soldiers only (the limited numbers charities.) undertake at least 20 hours of of naval casualties being accom- Each October throughout duty per month.59 In 1917 the modated elsewhere), and was the war the annual Red Cross average number of members affiliated to Chatham military ‘Our Day’ collection was held. undertaking orderly duty was hospital.64 On 5th October 1914 These nation-wide flag days were 50 each month,60 rising from 22 urgent instructions were sent to supplemented by local Red Cross in 1915. the hospital to prepare for the collections, permission for which The women’s detachment, reception of 168 Belgians had to be obtained from the local Essex 34 VAD (Red Cross, the wounded in the fighting around authority, a permission that was Overcliff Hospital) had two lady Liege, Namur and Antwerp.65 by no means automatically given, ambulance drivers, Mrs Walker The Belgians arrived in Southend and sometimes refused. and Miss Rene Holloway. Essex on October 16th, having been Another charity registered 47, men’s Red Cross detachment, hurriedly removed from hospitals under the War Charities Act was had been formed at Leigh in in Antwerp.66 Throughout the

EssexJOURNAL 31 previous night members of the now occupied at Queen Mary’s each patient received a Christmas Church Lads’ Brigade had fitted RN Hospital was 250.73 stocking filled with presents and, up beds and ladies of the local Accommodation at the hospital following visits by the Mayor and Needlework Guilds had supplied was increased to 300 beds in Mayoress, a concert was held. sheets, pillows, etc. The first early 1916 and then to 350 On Boxing Day (1918) 35 of convoy of ambulance trains by the end of that year, with the men attended a pantomime arrived at the Great Eastern increasing numbers of naval at the Hippodrome, all paid for Railway station at 2 am, members casualties following the Battle by friends of the hospital. At of the Southend and District of Jutland. In March 1917 the each of the hospitals the patients Automobile club providing Admiralty notified the hospital helped with the decorations, transport between the station that, due to pressure at the naval competitions being held for and the hospital. Once the base hospital, all 350 beds would the best decorated ward.77 news of the arrival of the trains be required for naval casualties Christine Bradford’s father was had reached the wider public, and, with War Office agreement, in a musical party that entertained thousands of residents lined all military casualties were the patients at the naval hospital. the streets.67 On the following transferred to the Glen, Overcliff He took her (then aged about 9 days crowds were to be seen on and Victoria hospitals and to years) with him; she regarded it Pier Hill, ready to offer gifts of Chatham.74 Following the a wonderful treat, the nurses chocolates, sweets, cigarettes and Zeebrugge raid of April 1918 allowing her to help push the money to the Belgian casualties, Queen Mary’s RN Hospital soldiers around in wheelchairs in return for which souvenirs was at full capacity. and spinal carriages.78 In fine in the form of uniform buttons, weather wheelchairs were coins and messages were Keeping the Patients brought to the hospital in order exchanged.68 This created such Occupied to take patients out and the ‘boys a distraction that the hospital One of the greatest problems in blue’ became a very familiar authorities tried to discourage faced by recuperating patients in sight in the town during the the practice.69 the hospitals was boredom. To war years.79 In 1916 Effie May By the beginning of counter this and the potential Oliphant (VAD nurse at the November Belgian wounded harm that could result, the Overcliff) wrote in her diary were also being received at the patients were kept as busy as that she and her parents took Glen and by mid-February the possible, either being engaged two (convalescent) soldiers to the following year the Overcliff in making items for sale at the cinema and then to tea at Boots.80 was treating 75 Belgian and various hospital fares or being Southend Council granted free British casualties.70 A picture entertained (and sometimes being access to wounded servicemen of the crowded conditions at the involved in providing entertain- to the Pier, the Pier extension hospitals during this emergency ment). Artists appearing at the and the Cliffs Bandstand together is provided by Miss Helene Hippodrome would visit Queen with the Cliff Lift, from the Hinkley, who was a nurse with Mary’s RN Hospital every Friday beginning of the war. the Essex 34 VAD: ‘The hospitals afternoon; and there were two During the summer months, were crowded, so the walking concerts, and sometimes more, volunteers from the Southend wounded Belgian and Flemish every week. At Christmas the Automobile Club took groups soldiers were placed with some ‘Guy’s Minstrels’ came down of patients to a variety of local of the nursing personnel, thus from London to entertain the gardens, thrown open by their enabling Hospital beds to be patients, and many other concert owners for the purpose. Each of made available for the next parties visited Queen Mary’s the hospitals also had official or batch of wounded.’71 (and probably the other hospitals, unofficial ‘visitors’. Mrs Gilbert The first British casualties although less is known about this and Miss Couzens were visitors arrived at Queen Mary’s RN aspect). Cliff Lester’s Concert at Queen Mary’s RN Hospital Hospital direct from Plymouth Party, together with those of Miss on Sunday afternoons, when in early November 1914, mostly Lilly Adams, the Evening News the hospital was open to local from the fighting at Mons, Concert Party, the Leigh-on-Sea residents.81 Both of these visitors Le Cateau, Ypres and Lilles Male Choir and Irene Foster’s kept an autograph book or the previous weekend. In early Concert Party are among those album, with signatures of the December 150 British soldiers who made regular visits to the soldiers and sailors, and brief arrived from Southampton72 but Naval hospital.75 (sometimes much fuller) accounts it was not until the end of Nurses at each of the hospitals of actions they were involved September 1915 that substantial also helped to provide entertain- in. Mrs Gilbert was obviously a numbers of naval casualties began ments, including the ‘Overcliff particular favourite of many of to arrive at Southend, following Pierettes’.76 Christmas at each of the wounded, some of whom the Gallipoli campaign, and the hospitals was, quite naturally, wrote her letters and gave her the average number of beds a special occasion. At the Glen photographs, which she kept in

EssexJOURNAL 32 her album.82 In March 1917 an shell-shock), Rustington the Flintshire and Denbighshire appeal in the local press was made Convalescent Home and Voluntary Aid Detachment for the names of local residents Benenden Sanatorium. Artificial (Lt Col P.H. Johnston, 1913). who would be willing to act as limbs were being repaired and 4. W.G. Macpherson, History of hospital visitors (particularly for arrangements were being made the Great War based on Official wounded in local hospitals who for training men in tailoring and Documents: Medical Services in the United Kingdom, i originated in the Channel other crafts at Regents Street 83 90 (London, 1921), p.96. Islands). However, some concern Polytechnic and elsewhere. 5. A.K. Loyd, The County Branches: was raised concerning visitors at At the closing function in Their Organisation and Work the Red Cross hospitals, and it Queen Mary’s RN Hospital during the first months of the War was decided in May 1917 that (16th May) the patients presented (London, 1917), p.145. For Commandants of Red Cross Dr Evelyn Scott and Dr Ronald example, the Walton-on-Naze hospitals should take over this Sells with illuminated addresses; ‘Rock’ hospital is missing from duty, where possible.84 the roll of patients was called the list, as has Southend’s HM Patients who were mobile and the Quartermaster had all Queen Mary’s Royal Naval were encouraged to be as active the men’s kit ready for transport Hospital. There may be others. as possible, playing various sports to Chatham, the destination of The list of VADs includes only (such as croquet , clock golf and those still being treated. The train Red Cross detachments. 6. Macpherson, p.102; E.A. Pratt, bowls) and billiards. There was a carrying the last of the patients British Railways in the Great War billiard room in the Palace Hotel left Southend Central station (London, 1921), p.212. (Queen Mary’s RN Hospital) at 5.30 pm. On the following 7. Macpherson, p.99-100. and a Recreation Room was day (Saturday) the nursing and 8. Southend-on-Sea Observer, opened for the Overcliff Hospital medical staff assembled once 26/08/1914, p 3 based on at Esplanade House, the rent again to be thanked by the ‘Report from Wounded being paid by the Essex Branch Commandant, Sir William Hale- Allies Relief Committee’, of the Red Cross.85 White. Following a visit to the also 04/11/1914. Hippodrome Theatre the staff 9. Loyd, p.147. Demobilization returned to the hospital for 10. T. Hill, Guns and Gunners at In January 1917, at the request dancing in Russia Ward, led by Shoeburyness: the experimental of the War Office, County Adam Seebold and his orchestra, establishment and garrison (Buckingham, 1999). Directors (Red Cross) discussed and then a rousing three cheers 11. This is the belief of the family; the closure of the smaller hospi- for the matron. The last of P. Tolhurst comment to author. tals (those with fewer than 40 Southend’s Great War hospitals 12. Imperial War Museum (IWM), beds), which were considered to was closed. Acc No 16008 13(41) 811, be uneconomic.86 In September Although complete figures Guy’s Hospital Report. three of the smaller hospitals in are not available, a total of 13. S&WG, 11/09/1914. Essex were sent orders to close – about 14,500 patients had been 14. The author has been unable to Murlow Hills, Lord Lambourne’s treated in Southend’s Great War trace any records relating to the Hospital and Hamilton Home Hospitals, between October 1914 negotiations, but presumably the (Thorpe Bay), none of them and mid-May 1919. Of these owners had offered the premises under direct Red Cross control.87 something in the order of 10,000 to the Red Cross. The Overcliff and Glen were had been treated at Queen Mary’s 15. Southend Standard (SS), 10/04/1919, p.7, ‘The Old Glen both closed (demobilized) in the Royal Naval Hospital, and about Hosital’. early part of 1919, the latter on 2,500 in the Glen (1,906 by July 16. The Medical Directory 28th February. The Overcliff 1917) and 2,000 in the Overcliff (London, 1915). opened again as a hotel by (1,780 up to April 1917). 17. Loyd, p.147. 192088 while the Glen was later 18. Essex Record Office (ERO), taken over by the hospital References L/P 3/9, Papers for central commandant, Wildman Baker 1. Report by the Joint War Committee emergency committee meeting, as a nursing and maternity and the Joint Finance Committee of 10/09/1915. home.89 In June 1918 the the British Red Cross Society and 19. Macpherson, pp.215-16. Disablement Sub-Committee the Order of St John of Jerusalem 20. British Nursing Journal, reported that there were now on Voluntary Aid to the Sick and 14/11/1914, p.387. 1,031 men on their register; Wounded at Home and Abroad… 21. Royal College of Nursing, 1914-1919 (Joint War Com. Register of Nurses, 1916-1923 several cases (presumably from Report), 1921, p.189. (London, 1919-23). Queen Mary’s RN Hospital) 2. Southend & Westcliff Graphic 22. www.naval-history.net/WWI were being treated at the Glen (S&WG), 26/02/1915. NavyBritishLGDecorations1918a and Overcliff as out-patients. 3. For example, A Short Guide to (30/10/2014). Others were being treated at the Formation and Administration 23. Information from a review of the Golden Square Ear, Throat of a hospital, published by the the work at Queen Mary’s in SS, and Nose hospital (one for Territorial Force Association for 15/05/1919.

EssexJOURNAL 33 24. British Red Cross Society 47. IWM 16008 13(41) 811. landed at Southend Pier). Archive (BRCSA), 006A/1, 48. Ibid. 71. ERO, S3340, Records of the General Index of personnel for 49. S&WG, 02/06/1916; it is not Hawkins family of Southend, the First World War, ‘Nurse’s clear whether these were general 1905-2006. Card’. The BRCS maintained an subscribers to the hospital or 72. S&WG, 04/12/1914. index, on cards, of all nurses and subscribers to the hospital’s 73. Ibid, 18/05/1917, as en. 65. hospitals during the Great War. ‘Splint Fund’. This fund was 74. Ibid. 25. Medical Directory, p.255. described as ‘the people’s fund 75. SS, 15/05/1919, p.8. 26. Ronald Sells had been a on behalf of the hospital.’ 76. S&WG, 14/01/1916. House Surgeon at Guys (Medical (S&WG, 02/03/1917). 77. SS, 02/01/1919. Directory), and later joined a 50. S&WG, 28/04/1916. 78. IWM, 4045 84/46/1, copy of medical practice in 51. Information form Nurse Card, letter providing memories of Westcliff-on-Sea. BRCS archive. life in First World War. 27. ERO, D/DS 48, documents 52. BRCSA, RCB/2/13/1/11, 79. SS, 15/05/1919, p.8. relating to HM Queen Mary’s 31/07/1917. 80. IWM 08/113/1, diary Royal Naval Hospital, Southend. 53. Her husband was also heavily of E.M. Oliphant. 28. S&WG, 03/08/1917, p.11. involved in charity work, 81. SS, 15/05/1919, p.8. Taken from Inspector’s Report particularly in London; he 82. This album is in the archives on the hospital. This is probably was head of Moss Empires of Southend Museum. the report presented by and the Palace Theatre in Mrs Gilbert’s Album covers Miss Paget of the Red Cross, the City and did much the period from 1915 to who inspected the Glen and fundraising for St Dunstan’s. early 1916. Miss Couzen’s Overcliff Hospitals in June 1917. See also S&WG, 29/12/1916. autograph album remains in BRCSA, RCB/2/13/1/11, 54. S&WG, 06/04/1917. private hands. Minutes of Executive Committee 55. Ibid, 02/02/1917. 83. S&WG, 16/03/1917. of Red Cross, Essex Branch, 56. BRCSA, RCB/2/13/1/11, 84. BRCSA, RCB/2/13/1/11, 19/06/1917. 28/08/1917. 22/05/1917. 29. SS, 13/03/1919. 57. Macpherson, p.220. 85. Ibid, 06/06/1917; S&WG, 30. IWM, 08/113/1. 58. Members of the Southend 26/01/1917. 31. BRCSA, 006A/1. Automobile Club and Essex 86. Macpherson, p.217-18. 32. BRCSA, RCB/2/13/1/11, Motor Volunteer Corps also 87. BRCSA, RCB/2/13/1/11, 08/05/1917. assisted in providing both vehicles 11/09/1917. 33. ibid, 19/06/1917. and drivers. For example see 88. Kellys Directory for Southend, 34. Macpherson, p.215. S&WG, 12/05/1916, ‘Wounded 1920, p.172. 35. One of the eight doctors from Soldiers’ Motor Rides’. 89. The Medical Directory. However, Southend’s Victoria Hospital who 59. St John (Southend Branch) there is no mention of the Glen worked as visiting physicians at archives. These are uncatalogued in Kellys Directory for Southend Queen Mary’s Hospital. IWM, archives held by the Southend after the war. 16008, ‘H.M. Queen Mary’s branch of the St John Ambulance 90. SS, 06/06/1918. Royal Naval Hospital, Brigade. My thanks to Allan Southend-on-Sea, 1914-1919’ by Davies of St John Ambulance Acknowledgements W. Hale-White, in Guys Hospital for allowing access to these The author would like to acknowl- Report, LXX, Pt III, pp.25-26. archives. edge the help provided by the staff 36. IWM, 16008. 60. St John (Southend Branch) of the Imperial War Museum, 37. Macpherson, p.217. archives, Report and Statement the Essex Record Office and, in 38. BRCSA, RCB/2/13/1/11, of Accounts, VAD Essex 45, particular, Jemma Lee, archivist of 06/06/1917. Year ending 30/09/, 1917. the British Red Cross and Allan 39. S&WG, 06/04/1917. 61. BRCSA, RCB/2/13/1/11, Davies, Unit Manager, St John 40. Ibid, 08/10/1915. 25/09/1917. Ambulance, Southend-on-Sea. 41. Charity Commission, 62. SS, 25/04/1918. War Charities Act (1916). 63. Ibid, 02/051918. The Author 42. It is not clear why these two 64. Macpherson, p.103. Ken Crowe retired as Curator hospitals were not registered. 65. S&WG, 18/05/1917, ‘Queen of Human History at Southend In fact, very few hospitals in Mary’s Hospital: the story of its Museum in early 2014, having Essex were registered under the wonderful work’. spent over 30 years looking after Act, while hospitals in many 66. IWM 16008, letter to subscribers. the local history and archaeology other parts of the country were 67. S&WG, 18/05/1917, as en. 65. collections. He is now spending registered. 68. S&WG, 23/10/1914. By time following up some research 43. IWM 16008 13(41) 811, October 30th there were 165 by the Museum. He developed a HM Queen Mary’s Royal Naval Belgian casualties at the hospital. special interest in the Great War, Hospital. 69. SS, 15/05/1919, p.8, ‘Queen having curated an exhibition on 44. S&WG, 18/09/1914, p.13. Mary’s Naval Hospital – Story of that theme for the museum in 2014, 45. P. Mansell, The Girls of a Great Work: The Last Phase’. based on the museum’s collections Southend High School, 1913-2013 70. S&WG, 06/11/1914; 46 Belgian which include some fascinating (Kibworth Beauchamp, 2013), p.2. wounded at the Glen had arrived material relating to Queen Mary’s 46. S&WG, 16/02/1917, p.3. from Chatham (presumably being Royal Naval Hospital.

EssexJOURNAL 34 Book Reviews

Mike Osborne, Like other counties, Essex provided recruits for the regular Defending Essex, and reserve forces (the latter pp.224, ISBN 978-0-75248-834-9, originally the Militia, later the The History Press, 2013, £18.99. Volunteers, Territorial Army and Home Guard). Permanent his is an ambitious work that aims to describe and temporary defensive works Tthe buildings and other man-made works in were built whose primary aim the county that have at any time served a military was to prevent hostile forces purpose. The time span covered is as long as it reaching London. Initially the could possibly be, beginning in Neolithic times enemy would have sailed up and ending in 2012. The geographical area is the the Thames (to be met by present county, including Southend and Thurrock. Tilbury and Coalhouse Forts) The author has previously written a companion or tried to land on the coast work Defending London. The book is primarily a (defended by the Martello narrative history, not a work of reference, although, Towers) and march inland. By the time of the it is possible to use it as such, since, as well as an two World Wars the enemy also came by air (and index, there are ten appendices, which list various for the first time for centuries the defences of the types of buildings, establishments and organisations. capital were seriously tested). Harwich was an It does not just list and describe sites and important, if secondary, naval port. Being in the structures, but places these in their historical context. southeast, Essex saw much of the preparation for Where appropriate, there are brief narratives of mounting and supplying campaigns in Europe. significant events, such as Boudicca’s revolt, and The period of the First and Second World Wars, the Civil War siege of Colchester. Also incorporated and up to the present, fills more than half of the are details of the military, naval and airforce units book, and is clearly Dr Osborne’s special field. By which were raised or based in the county. There is this time the number of permanent and temporary so much information that any reader who is not as buildings and structures, both in type and in sheer knowledgeable on the subject as the author himself quantity, was huge, even in peacetime, and increased will learn something new on almost every page. The enormously during the conflicts. Barracks, and drill only difficulty which this reviewer found, in the later halls, anti aircraft and coastal gun emplacements, chapters, derives from the military habit of referring pill boxes, spigot mortar mounts, barrage balloon to almost every organisation, function, or weapon sites, training sites, airfields, radar installations, by an abbreviation. A helpful list of these is provided, Royal Observer Corps posts, munitions factories, but the need to turn to it constantly is irksome. prisoner of war camps, the ‘secret’ underground The section covering the prehistoric, Roman bunkers that are now no secret: Dr Osborne and Saxon periods is necessarily short, considering covers them all. the small number of sites that are known, compared A substantial section of the book is devoted to with those of a later date. the concrete defensive structures that still dot the When writing about late Mediaeval and Tudor landscape. The general reader will be familiar with architecture, all historians have to ask how far castles, the numerous pillboxes and other concrete structures fortified houses and moated sites (for which Essex is that survive from the Second World War. The sheer famous) were intended to serve genuinely military number is too great for the book to list them all; purposes. The author’s desire to be inclusive leads but the different types, and their intended uses, him to describe many buildings whose towers and are explained. The colour photograph on the back battlements are defences against no more than crime cover is of a type of structure the purpose of which and civil disorder, or are merely decoration. Indeed most of us would be hard pressed to guess – a Royal the largest of the three photographs on the front Observer Corps post, actually of post-war date, cover is of one such - Leez Priory. It has some but based on lessons learned during the war. vaguely castle-like features; but its token defences It seems appropriate, in this centenary year, to could have fooled no one. ask what this work may add to our understanding From the seventeenth century onwards, things of the First World War. It seems likely that most are clearer. Military buildings and structures are popular history will concentrate on the experiences distinguishable from non-military ones, either by of the soldiers on the Western Front and the civilian their design, or by the uses to which they were population at home. This work reminds us that there put. With the exception of the siege of Colchester, was a huge amount of military activity in the UK, and the participation of its troops elsewhere in the of which anti-aircraft defence was only part, and country, Essex was little affected by the Civil War. that much of this took place in Essex. There was a By the beginning of the eighteenth Century, real fear of a German invasion, which lasted virtually the involvement of the county in war, and the until the end of the war. If the enemy was going to preparation for war, had settled down to a pattern come, it was presumed that he would come over the that lasted until the Second World War and beyond. North Sea, and that Essex would be in the front line.

EssexJOURNAL 35 Book Reviews

A corrective to the view that trench warfare came This book is perhaps not primarily for the as a surprise to the generals in 1914 is the fact that, dedicated enthusiast. But even someone with even before the war, preparations were made for the knowledge of a subject can take pleasure from rapid creation of a line of entrenchments to defend reading a story he already knows, if it is as well told London. as this is. The general reader will find it packed with The book is well illustrated with 142 photographs, information that he or she might otherwise have had all but a few of them by the author, which proves, to go to a number of different works to find. if proof were needed, that he knows the sites that he writes of from personal visits. Richard Harris

David Edmondson, Celtic Christianity flourishing in the north and west long Anglo-Saxon England in 100 Places, before that. pp.96, ISBN 978-1-44564-315-1, Northumbria and Mercia Amberley Publishing, 2014, £12.99. occupy some 66 pages, and Wessex 16 pages. Essex, his nicely illustrated short book introduces treated under East Anglia in Tthe reader to Anglo-Saxon England through three pages, is allowed five its buildings, archaeology, place-names, art, poetry, entries, Hadstock, Greensted, coinage and myths, a prodigious goal in 96 pages. Bradwell, Chickney and The back cover summary that the guide is a Maldon. London’s entry comprehensive description to Anglo-Saxon England consists mainly of what is a touch optimistic, for in so short a space it does may be seen at the British so by selecting places of particular Saxon interest Museum and Library, to summarise why these are of relevance, and by V & A and Westminster Abbey. confining the text to a paragraph or two for The water colour paintings and the many each place. attractive colour photographs enhance the text; The book reflects the abode and interest of I suspect many were taken by the author himself. the author and treats northern England in more Using the book for reference is difficult in that detail than the south. The 11 page Introduction it lacks an Index, and a Bibliography would have overviews the expansion of Anglo-Saxon influence enhanced it further. The text is easy to read and in to Britain, the Viking conflicts and the growth in an enjoyable unencumbered style. of Christianity. By contending that the conversion to Christianity came in 597 with St Augustine’s James Kemble arrival in Canterbury does not do justice to the

Peter Minter, The many craftsmen and characters employed over the decades with their memories and anecdotes, The Brickmaker’s Tale, makes fascinating reading. Of particular interest pp.112, ISBN 978-0-95634-986-6, is, the war years, its difficulties and the blackout The Bulmer Brick and Tile Co Ltd, 2014, regulations applying to brickworks and kilns. During £30.00 including postage and packing. the war many drainage pipes were made at Bulmer Cheques payable to Peter Minter c/o The Bulmer Brick and Tile Co for the construction of airfields in Essex and Suffolk. Limited, The Brickfields, Bulmer, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 7EF The relevant airfields are shown on maps of both counties. Towards the end of the war and during n recent years there has been a significant the immediate post war years, pottery was also made Iincrease in interest in the history of brickmaking, at Bulmer. brickworks and brick buildings in Essex. This has The comparatively recent rebuilding of one resulted in a number of publications, the latest being kiln and the construction of a second kiln are fully The Brickmaker’s Tale by Peter Minter, a director of detailed and illustrated. These are both downdraught Bulmer Brick and Tile Co Limited. This excellent kilns, but former updraught kilns not used since A4 hardback is well illustrated and includes photo- the 1930s remain on site. The Minter family also graphs, many in colour, of the brickworks, brick- farm surrounding land and their farming activities at makers and buildings where Bulmer bricks have been Hole Farm are also recorded. It was whilst ploughing used. Some historic illustrations are of the brickworks in 1958 that a medieval tile kiln was discovered and and former employees throughout the last century. carefully excavated by archaeologists. The previous The brickyard at Bulmer in north Essex was year, a Bronze Age burial urn and other artefacts purchased by Lawrence Minter in 1936 when his were discovered. These finds indicate that the son Peter was a young boy. The book contains his area around the brickyard has been occupied, albeit recollections, more fact than tales, of nearly 80 years. intermittently, for some three thousand years.

EssexJOURNAL 36 Book Reviews

Bulmer bricks are still made by hand in the Brickmaking by hand is traditional method, which has existed for many years. often of interest to television These bricks are now used mainly for restoration producers. This started 50 years work on many buildings throughout the country ago with Anglia Televisions including Hampton Court, Oxburgh Hall and in Bygones programme and has Essex, Layer Marney Towers, Coggeshall Hall, continued with numerous other Feering Church and Hill Hall at Theydon Mount programmes including BBC to name but a few. Considerable quantities of Pebble Mill at One. Even pupils bricks were supplied for renovations and extensions at Bulmer School were filmed to St Pancras Station after it was chosen as the in Victorian costume ‘working’ in terminus for Eurostar. It was found that the original the brickyard for BBC’s Schools bricks had been made c.1870 by Allens of Ballingdon, programme Then and Now. A only three miles from Bulmer. When bricks were chapter suitably titled, ‘In front provided for Claridges Hotel in London it was of the Camera’ is devoted to the discovered that the facing bricks had been supplied numerous television connections. by Mark Gentry, a master brickmaker of Sible Fortunately, Bulmer Brick and Tile Company Hedingham. Interestingly, some of Mark Gentry’s survived, despite struggles and petty regulations. moulds from the late nineteenth century are now It is providing an extremely valuable service to in the possession of Bulmer Brick and Tile Co and property owners, builders, architects and other occasionally used. As other brickworks in Essex clients with producing much needed hand made and Suffolk closed, Lawrence and later Peter Minter bricks for essential restoration work. Long may purchased moulds, machinery and many other it continue! I commend this important record items. One example, detailed in the book with of archaeology, agriculture, brickmaking, brick photographs is the closure of Corder’s Brick, Tile buildings, social and local history to you. and Pottery Works at Sible Hedingham in 1942 when Lawrence Minter purchased numerous lots Adrian Corder-Birch. at the auction. George P. Raven, title derives from a comment made about George Raven by his last Swimming against the Tide: The Diary chief constable (who is still alive of an Essex Copper 1953-1983, and active and whom he mentions pp.517, ISBN 978-1-86151-178-2, by name several times in a mostly Mereo Books, 2014, £14.50. negative way). In the 12 pages of the introduction Raven admits that here is a tired old cliche which suggests that he himself has a critical eye and a Teveryone has a book in them. But unless cynical way of looking at life and the intending writer has a household name or a of his fellow men. ‘I don’t believe spectacular story to tell, such a book will almost I am a misanthrope but I do certainly have to be self-published. Nowadays despair for many of them and some inexperienced writers can make their own way trust very few’. This attitude without anyone’s help, and produce an unstructured shows up throughout the book. story which is readable only on the dedicated device Having previously served in the army Raven was operated by a well known internet company. Other determined to be a detective and seems to have been writers wanting the satisfaction of seeing their views quite annoyed to find that he had first to join as a printed in a paperback book might employ one of uniformed police officer! After the stipulated period the many printing companies which offer financial when he had passed his exams he became a sergeant packages; these can include editorial and marketing in the CID, but had occasional periods of service advice together with some basic publicity about the in uniform before eventually becoming a detective finished product. superintendent. He admits that he might have made One such company is Mereo Books, and its higher rank if he had learned humility and realised website advises intending writers to remember that senior officers also have to be politicians. that if people are going to pay to read about their Sometimes retired police officers who write fail to experiences then the writer must have a positive make the necessary adjustment in style from police attitude towards his or her story, and not include management reports to more literary pieces of prose. vast details about relatively trivial matters. ‘Life This is where one benefits from having one’s script stories which read like one long grumble will read critically by a couple of informed but impartial attract few readers. Focus on the humour, the readers, and then having the humility to accept at achievements (without boasting too much), the least some of their suggestions! The book which good friends you made’. results is likely to be more interesting to a greater This volume is published by Mereo Books, and its range of readers.

EssexJOURNAL 37 Book Reviews

But whether or not Mereo Books’ clients accept Having worked my way through Raven’s book the company’s advice on content and self editing, I am left with a sense of regret at the opportunities the resulting book will still be published as the he has missed for telling a more organised and writer is, of course, paying for the privilege. Raven’s balanced account of one Essex policeman’s career book comprises 15 chapters, seven appendices and during 30 years of great changes in society, and more than five hundred pages. On the face of it thus in policing methods. There is so much more the chapters have titles covering significant years he could have profitably included with better of his career, e.g. The Probationer (1953-55); and research and editing. He might then have realised, Fraud Squad (1961-64), but he does not always stick for example, that in one chapter he had confused to a chronological structure and is often side tracked his initial training establishment of Eynsham Hall into discussing events out of sequence. This leads in Oxfordshire with Bramshill in Hampshire, then to sometimes irritating comments throughout the the National Police College. text such as ‘You’ll remember if you were paying Taking advice on structure and editing, including attention’, and ‘I digress again’, or rhetorical removing most of the caustic comments made about questions such as ‘What would you do?’ The individuals that are recognisable by another retired writer has lived in Spain for many years but still officer even if not named, would have made this seems to have strong and sometimes intolerant views weighty volume shorter and potentially easier to on current policing issues and attitudes. Some of read by a wider audience. these appear in one or other of the seven appendices on subjects ranging from rape and cautions to crime Maureen Scollan prevention and racism. A.J. Carson (editor), J. Ashdown-Hill, John Ashdown-Hill proposed that steps should be taken to D. Johnson, W. Johnson and P.J. Langley, try to establish a mtDNA Finding Richard III: The Official sequence for Margaret and Account of Research by the her family, and was willing Retrieval and Reburial Project, to undertake the task. Margaret could be traced pp.96, ISBN 978-0-95768-402-7, back in the female line to Imprimis Imprimatur, 2014, £8.50. her great-grandmother, Katherine Swynford, mistress he recent reburial of Richard III in Leicester and subsequently wife of John Tcathedral, in March, 2015, has revived all the of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, excitement felt when his skeleton was discovered in in the late fourteenth century. By tracing the a car park at Leicester in 2012. With this book we descendants in the female line down to the have the ‘only Official Account of all the efforts that twenty-first century, a female descendant was went into finding Richard III’, a project which took found in Canada in 2004. many years of historical research, fundraising and When the dig started in 2012, the archaeologists archaeological investigation. Richard III was killed had to locate the Greyfriars church and then at the battle of Bosworth on 22 August, 1485, and identify the choir. The objective of discovering the was buried in the choir of the Greyfriars church in grave was achieved when a skeleton with curvature Leicester. Probably in the mid-1490s, Henry VII of the spine (due to scoliosis) and evidence of erected an alabaster tomb over his grave. After the severe battle-wounds was exhumed on 4-5 Dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII, the September, 2012. The subsequent investigation Greyfriars site was purchased by the Herrick family, revealed the Y-chromosome which confirmed and a pillar erected over the grave, as was recorded that the skeleton was male. On 4 February, 2013, in 1612. The story that Richard III’s body was it was announced that the skeleton’s mtDNA disposed of in the River Soar at the Dissolution sequence matched that of Richard III’s was widely believed in Leicester but turned out Canadian descendant. in recent years to be a myth. The book reads like a fascinating detective story. The Looking for Richard Project was launched The editor and authors have produced a clear and in February, 2009, and faced the formidable task concise analysis of how Richard III was found, with of locating the Greyfriars church in Leicester as well maps and illustrations showing the precise location as the grave itself. By then, a considerable amount of the Greyfriars site and of the trenches of the of historical research had been done. Moreover the dig. A number of documents illustrating the steps medical research into DNA sequencing raised the in the process of finding Richard are included as hope of identifying the skeleton, if discovered. At appendices, and a bibliography is supplied for a conference at Mechelen in 2003, held to celebrate readers who want to take their studies further. the 500th anniversary of the death of Margaret of York, duchess of Burgundy, sister of Richard III, Jennifer Ward

EssexJOURNAL 38 Book Reviews

Pam & Adrian Corder-Birch later triumphs. The Ripper family and The Works made The Works: A History of Rippers such an impact on Sible and Joinery Manufacturers of Castle Castle Hedingham, that it is and Sible Hedingham, only fitting that their role pp.224, ISBN 978-0-95672-192-1. be documented. This book is a wonderful attempt to Published by A. Corder-Birch, D.L., 2014, do that and as a reader with £14.95. no connections to the Available from the authors: Pam & Adrian Corder-Birch, Rustlings, Howe Drive, Halstead, Essex. CO9 2QL Hedinghams, the companies email: [email protected] or the families, I find this to be an engaging historical account of the local people he Works is a history of Rippers Limited, and industry. Local might not T a joinery company with origins from the late be the most appropriate word nineteenth century, the family who ran it and the though, because lumber from all over the world people who worked for it. This is not merely a found its way into The Works and the products tome about a joinery company, for it is also a history from here, were sent across East Anglia, England of the Ripper family (at least those connected with and the world. Products took many forms, from the companies). I think that most people will be building components to aeroplane propellers, envious of the extensive genealogy in this book staircases to kitchens. and amassing such a history must have taken the Among their regular work, Rippers helped authors much time indeed. With the analysis of the war effort in the Second Boer War, First World each family member, the information is tied nicely War and Second World War, manufacturing joinery to the part that they played in the four Ripper products of all kinds. The Works was large-enough companies. Key figures from the companies’ history to run its own fire brigade during the Second World (that were not part of the family), have also been War. Sadly, the scale of The Works, meant that it included for completeness. was singled out by the Luftwaffe and bombed in This is a thoughtfully researched and very well the Second World War. Men from Rippers ran published history of one of the significant joinery social clubs and manned the Sible Hedingham and timber companies of Essex and indeed England. Fire Brigade. The authors have tried to include I use the word significant because the companies information on as many employees as possible, of which the book documents, had a huge impact although to include an authoritative roll-call was on the villages of Sible and Castle Hedingham and not possible, a good deal of former ‘men of the were major players in the production of joinery works’ have been included. It is pleasing to me and timber products. Before reading this book, I that so much information has survived and that it was unaware of the significance that Rippers had on has been possible for the authors to write this book. the local landscape and economy. Glancing at some I have a keen interest in wood but anyone of the wonderful photographs (restored by Christine with an interest in local history will find this book Walker) within this book; the scale of The Works interesting. Such was the scale of The Works, (as it was known by those who worked there or that this book covers such varied topics as timber lived locally) becomes readily apparent. In the early production, joinery, transport including onsite, twentieth century they showed the best of intentions trains and lorries, social history, machinery and as an employer, building some 94 houses for their industrial buildings. There will be something for workers in Sible Hedingham. Although the local everyone in this book. The thing that this book railway was small and only ran from Chappel and leaves with me though, is a feeling that it would be Wakes Colne to Haverhill, it connected to a large nice to return to an era of companies like Rippers, network and Rippers had their own sidings to where a person could be employed locally and help cope with their enormous output. The aerial potentially for their entire working life by a single photograph on the cover and page 41, illustrates company. Today’s corporations and ethos of both the scale of this industry particularly well. Driving centralisation and global reach means that companies through Sible Hedingham now, it is difficult to like Rippers are now in the majority of cases, imagine that so much of the village and what is seen consigned to the history books. Rippers saw young today, is the result of The Works and the endeavours lads start out as apprentices and work their way into of the Ripper family. a myriad of different roles within the companies, The companies operated for nearly a century from engineers to blacksmiths, from machinists to up until the 1970s, where we see mergers and take- French polishers. The authors have managed to overs and the eventual demise of The Works at Sible capture in one book that which is a huge part of Hedingham; helped in no small part by the closing the local history of Sible and Castle Hedingham. of the Colne Valley and Halstead Railway in the 1960s. The book takes us from early endeavours to Jason Townsend

EssexJOURNAL 39 Book Reviews

Ken Rickwood, As someone who crosses Colchester’s Middle mill The Colne: by Boat Bike and Boot, every day on the way pp.384, ISBN 978-0-95582-716-7 to his allotment I was David Cleveland, 2013, £15. fascinated to see a photo of three Corporation his copiously illustrated (black and white photos) dustcarts crossing the Tbook is far more than an account of a journey ford just below the mill along Essex’s River Colne from its North Sea entry in 1927 as well one of at Colne Point in St Osyth to its source just 42 miles the World War Two away in the north east of the county. tank traps overlooking The author has packed in an enormous amount the same pool in Lower of information about each of the towns and villages Castle park. The lovely along the way and for this reader the historical focus picture of Middle Mill reminded me that contemporary delight in the river itself in 1900 makes one as a source of pretty views is to completely miss despair of its loss in the ‘50s and I must the significance of it as a water and energy source wholeheartedly concur with the authors plea for a shaping the industrial history of the area. To be present power usage for the weir and his approval shown more than 40 mills once operated by water of Benham’s judgement that the demolition of the power in the region and and that for example in mill was an outstanding example of ‘vandalistic Halstead they were key to Courtaulds expansion myopia by a local authority’. of their silk business, was a revelation. The legal If you live near the Colne this book will open battle that ensued when Courtauld could not get you eyes to its treasures, if you don’t, read it and enough energy for his mill because a second mill you will wish you did! had long-standing water rights showed all was not sweetness and light once exploitation of an asset Michael Fox became central to industrialisation. Ron Bill, over full responsibility from the Harlow Development A Civic History of Harlow Council, Corporation. 1955-1985, Though it is now pp. 208, published by the author, 2010, customary to be cynical £12.00 including postage and packing. about the new town Available from the author at: 63 Upper Park, Harlow, CM20 1TP. movement, it is good to be reminded of the he author, in his introduction, indicates that altruism which propelled This aim is to record the work and achievements the creation of a decent of the first 30 years of Harlow Council, and to civic environment for people illustrate the wide-ranging areas of responsibility to live in. Ron Bill details, of a local authority. Harlow was one of the post-war year by year, the wide range new towns; its first house was occupied in 1949 of problems tackled, and the and, though it grew rapidly, the area was initially decisions, made by the new administered by Epping Rural District Council council, though he makes no attempt to be and four parish councils. Ron Bill, who worked analytical about these, and the lack of any form for the local authority from 1968 till his retirement, of index will frustrate future researchers. That said, chronicles how the Harlow Urban District Council it remains an impressively detailed account of the was established in 1955 - without premises, officers growth of social and political awareness of a newly or precedents – and how it developed, through the created local authority. enthusiasm and dedication of those involved, into the effective local government which eventually took Michael Leach

Your Book Reviewers are: Adrian Corder-Birch, Chairman of the Essex Journal Editorial Board; Michael Fox, a retired Archdeacon and now a resident of Colchester and keen allotment holder; Richard Harris, former Archive Service Manager of the Essex Record Office and medievalist; James Kemble, retired Consultant Surgeon to St Bartholomew’s Hospital, currently Coordinator of the Essex Place-names Project; Michael Leach, a retired GP, now concentrating on local history; Maureen Scollan, former Police Inspector, now a historian and author; Jason Townsend, currently leading on the development of the Essex Journal website; Jennifer Ward, well known historian, author, and tutor.

EssexJOURNAL 40 EJ 20 Questions? Martin Stuchfield

Martin Stuchfield was born at Maldon in 1957 during the period when his parents were living at nearby Tolleshunt D’Arcy. Following a career in business he was fortunate to be able to take early retirement in 2004 and has subsequently devoted himself to numerous charitable activities. He has developed an interest in the study of monumental brasses from schooldays. Having joined the Monumental Brass Society in 1970 he is currently President. He has served as President of the Essex Archaeological and Historical Congress (2001-4) and the Essex Society for Archaeology and History 10. If you could travel back in time which (2008-11). He was appointed a Magistrate in event would you change? The assassination 2006 and is currently Chairman of the Victoria of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria which County History of Essex Trust; a Director and ultimately led to the First World War resulting in Trustee of the Rural Community Council of a huge loss of life. Essex; and was recently elected Secretary of the Friends of Essex Churches Trust. 11. Which four people from the past would you invite to dinner? Judge George Kempe (d.1606) of 1. What is your favourite historical period? Pentlow; Rev William Holman (d.1730) – antiquary; The 18th century following the religious upheavals of William Morris (1834-96) – artist, craftsman, poet; the previous two centuries and before the extensive and Captain Lawrence Oates (1880-1912) – explorer. restoration of our churches during the Victorian era. All good Essex men. 2. Tell us what Essex means to you? A highly 12. What is your favourite food? Smoked underrated county that is not flat and densely Salmon and steak (medium/rare) or Dover sole occupied by industry as the uninitiated would (on the bone) with crème brûlée to follow. have us believe. 13. The history book I am currently reading 3. What historical mystery would you most like is... The Lady in the Tower: The Fall of Anne Boleyn. to know? Who my eight times Great Grandfather A lady with strong Essex connections whose John Stuchfield was descended from in the early father’s magnificent monumental brass can be 17th century. seen at Hever, Kent. 4. My favourite history book is... The History 14. What is your favourite quote from history? and Antiquities of Essex by Philip Morant. ‘I know I have the body of a weak, feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of 5. What is your favourite place in Essex? England too’. Speech by Queen Elizabeth I to the Thaxted, with its wonderfully imposing 15th century Troops at Tilbury in 1588. Guildhall and the largely contemporary and glorious church. Reminders of the wealth and importance of 15. Favourite historical film? The Life and Times of this market town derived from cutlery manufacture. Lord Mountbatten first screened on television in 1969. The church contains an important and fine brass A person I greatly admire who was assassinated in portraying a priest in academical dress of c.1450 date. 1979. 6. How do you relax? The opportunity rarely 16. What is your favourite building in Essex? presents itself. The mellow Tudor brick of Rochford Hall and Church in their enchanting setting. 7. What are you researching at the moment? For the last five years I have been researching and 17. What past event would you like to have compiling data for The Monumental Brasses of Norfolk; seen? To have been part of the crowd outside part of the County Series – a seminal work illustrating Buckingham Palace celebrating Victory in Europe all medieval brasses and selected Victorian examples. on 8th May 1945. To date seventeen volumes (Bedfordshire 18. How would you like to be remembered? to Huntingdonshire) have been published. Somebody who gave my children a better start in Essex was published in 2003. life and who made a difference. 3 8. My earliest memory is... at the age of 2 ⁄4 19. Who inspires you to read or write or when my brother came home from the maternity research history? My late mother who was a great hospital. I am still trying to get over the shock! inspiration and source of encouragement and the late 9. What is your favourite song/piece of music Nancy Briggs to whom I am indebted. and why? Land of Hope and Glory because it makes 20. Most memorable historical date? me proud to be British. 22nd April 1884 – the Great Colchester Earthquake.

EssexJOURNAL 41