harwich society 2 newsletter

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PORTRAIT OF A MEMBER Edward Kemp-Luck

Ed, the well-known organist, was born in Grimsby in 1967 but moved to Dovercourt soon

afterwards. He attended Chase Lane Primary School followed by Colchester Royal Grammar School

(CRGS). He had learned to play the piano at 7, studying with Miss Gifford in Seafield Rd, and went

on to play the organ with Lawrence Caller at All Saints Church. He also attended Landermere Music

School in Thorpe-le-Soken on Saturday mornings to learn the

clarinet. While at CRGS he took up the viola, studied French and

Physics to O-level and Latin, Greek and Music to A-level, and

during the sixth form went to Bury St Edmunds on Wednesday

afternoons to continue the organ with Harrison Oxley and

became organist and choirmaster of Ramsey Church. He gained

an organ scholarship to the Queen‟s College, Oxford, which gave

further opportunities to work with choirs, and to play viola in

orchestras. He describes his three years at Oxford, which led to a

BA degree in music, as one of the best periods of his life, though

very intensive.

From Oxford he moved to Notting Hill in London and took up a

post as organist at St John‟s Church, Ladbroke Grove, which

gave him access to the organ for regular practice and also a

rehearsal space for a music group he joined, which sang operas -

several of the singers came and performed in the churches of

Dovercourt, Parkeston and Harwich. He took a job at Farringdon

Records in Cheapside, a mecca for all serious record collectors, and was able to build up an

impressive record collection using his staff discount! He used his lunch hours to study organ at St

Lawrence Jewry with Catherine Ennis, leading to a Fellowship Diploma from the Royal College of

Organists and a solo recital at St Paul‟s Cathedral.

Next he joined the British Council where he worked for several years in the Visits section arranging

UK tours for visitors in the art world. But he preferred the organ console to the desk, and enrolled for

a one year postgraduate course at the Royal College of Music, where he continued his organ studies

at the Temple Church and learned to play the harpsichord, performing with the College‟s Baroque

Ensembles. To supplement his income, he took an evening job as a projectionist at the Institute of

Contemporary Art (based on experience gained in the projection box of Harwich‟s Electric Palace),

and worked there on and off for over four years.

Harwich & District Rotary Club sponsored Ed for a one year Ambassadorial scholarship to the

Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam to study historical organ performance practice. One of the

conditions was that Ed had to be fluent in the Dutch language, fortunately he had been learning

Dutch in the years preceding the study period, and while in Holland he gave a major speech in Dutch

to the Rotary Club of Amsterdam.

On returning to England, he took a part time job as an Administrator in the Music Department of

Goldsmith‟s College at New Cross, a post he held for seven years. At this time he was living in

Islington, was organist and choir master at St Mary‟s Church, Paddington Green, and was

accompanist to the City of Canterbury Chamber Orchestra. To assist his rapid transition between

these widely spaced venues, he used his father‟s old moped and subsequently bought a Kawasaki

motor bike. But his motorcycling career ended dramatically a few years later in an accident from

which he needed three months to recover.


PORTRAIT OF A MEMBER Cont inued

After Goldsmith‟s College, he joined the Royal Academy of Music‟s Registry Office, dealing with

student admissions and foreign exchanges, a very full-time job, one that he still holds.

In between times he is organist for the London Welsh Chorale and for festival services at St Benet‟s

Metropolitan Welsh Church at Paul‟s Wharf in the City of London. It is a very busy life, but one with

plenty of variety and freedom to have time off for rehearsals. And there is still time for social life: Ed

is a devotee of English National Opera, attends Organ Club outings, and even visits preserved steam

railways. At home in Walthamstow, his latest „toy‟ is a computer organ, which can be made to

simulate the greatest cathedral organs. To complete the circle, he still has roots in Harwich and has

played at several Harwich festival concerts. Looking back on the first forty years, Ed says there was

no great plan in his life, one thing just followed another all the way.

S TE AM D R I F T E R J E AN N I E M c I N TO S H BC K 2 0 9 Da v i d W h i t t l e

You might have wondered what the wreck is that has been in The Bathside Mud since 1947. She is

the Jeannie McIntosh and here is her story.

Launched by shipbuilder William Robertson McIntosh in February 1915, it is believed he named her

after his eldest daughter Jane, who was known as Jeannie. Requisitioned by the Admiralty in 1915

and used throughout WW1 as a boom defence vessel/water carrier and returned in 1919. She was

requisitioned for war service again in 1940 as a minesweeper & auxiliary patrol vessel and was

attached to a flotilla of 13 drifters attached to Yarmouth Base (HMS Watchful). This

flotilla participated in the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940 and the Jeannie McIntosh was amongst

those who sustained damage but made it back to Harwich under her own power. She was repaired and

assigned to a patrol escort group based at Ipswich (HMS Bunting) and armed with machine guns. The

vessel was probably engaged in escorting small ship convoys to and from Ipswich and Harwich to

join the main East Coast convoy route about 11 miles off Harwich. In 1947 she was scrapped and

abandoned in Bathside Bay where she lies to this day.

(Information taken from McIntosh Boat & Shipbuilders web site)


POST BOX Correspondence to the Edi tor

Juell Buckwold and Marilyn Barry, two of the Society‟s American friends from Harwich, Mass.

recently visited Harwich and were entertained by the Society. They also attended the unveiling of

Mike Mealing‟s bench in Sam‟s Garden and met Judith and the family and many Society members.

The following letter has been received from them:

To the Harwich Society

Dear Friends

A visit to Harwich is always a pleasure. You are very generous with your time and friendship and there

is always something new and interesting to see. I‟m anxious to see the finish of Bobbit‟s Hole. We were

honored to be guests at the new Crown Post Restaurant, food was great and so was the company. We

welcome the opportunity to be part of Sam‟s Garden*, a man to remember.

God bless. Marilyn Barry

*They left a generous donation to buy a shrub for Sam‟s Garden.

Dear Editor, In response to Peter Westwood's letter about his 1959 Parkeston Primary School

class, the enclosed photo was taken at rehearsals of the same school's 1960 play 'Westwood Ho-Ho!' or

'The Mayflower Mermaids'. It was about three serving maids (from the Mermaid Inn) who stowed away

on the Mayflower when it sailed from Harwich for the 'new world' in 1620. The play was written and

produced by teacher Mr E Smith (third from the right). It was first performed by pupils of the

Esplanade School in Harwich in 1952 and the music was written by Mrs Cordwell, wife of the then

Esplanade School headmaster. I know this because I have the press cutting, saved by my mother, which

appeared in the Harwich Standard. I was one of the 'mermaids' and am the tall one, on the left, in the

photo, next to Jacky Brown. Unfortunately, I cannot remember the names of any of my fellow actors!

The only recollection I have of the play is having to say, in an aside as I left the stage (which I didn't

understand), “First catch your bear”: an apparent reference to Mrs Beeton, which I was told, the

audience would understand! I was also interested to read Peter's account of 1960's Guy Carnivals and

the mobile hot dog stall he mentioned as I was one of the helpers pictured in the photo. I certainly

remember the jerky, stop/start ride while trying to serve hot dogs!

Jenny Haynes, North Lincolnshire

Dear Editor, With reference to the photograph of the bellringers on page 20 in Highlight 159, the

gentleman on the first left of the bellringers is Ainsley Alderton. He used to live at 14 Fernlea Road

next to us. I believe his daughter Diana lived in Mayflower Avenue however that was 10 years ago.

Regards Malcolm Rayner via email


POST BOX Cont inue d Dear Editor, Thanks to Peter Green for the photographs of Bert Ellmer‟s grocers shop, especially the

one of the interior, they brought back happy memories of youth when a delivery errand boy for Bert and

Moira, a lovely couple. Pedalling through torrential rain and thunderstorms, working till nearly

midnight on the lead up to Christmas, sustenance a handful of cheeselets from the tin, don‟t get that

these days, just packets and grab a few ends of Bert‟s home cooked ham from under the counter,

officially kept for the dog! Saturday noon just before closing, Russian Joe would appear and Bert would

provide him with a handout of vittles and loose baccy for the week ahead. Nowadays groceries by van,

pity they don‟t still use errand boys. Peter Goodwin, via email

Dear Editor, My husband and I joined the walk today with Jo, the weather could not have been better

and there were 13 very happy people who all enjoyed the walk down the hangings. On route in the

hangings we saw the following as shown in photos attached which Jo asked us to take and send to you,

perhaps for the next Highlight Newsletter, together with a photo of the whole group. Do hope we can do

a similar walk again perhaps. Many thanks Deidre Salter, Dovercourt

Dear Editor, On page 14 of Highlight 159 mention is made of Boatswain‟s Call. I can tell you that this

property was a house that formerly stood where the now abandoned old Health Centre is located. Its

function dates back to the days prior to the development of Parkeston Quay in the 1880‟s. At that time

Dock River was tidal upstream to a little way beyond Ramsey. One route to gain access to the sheep and

cattle grazing on the then Ray Island was via Ramsey Village. This was quite a long way around

obviously and a much quicker route was by boat across the Dock River. Access to Dock River (before

Parkeston Road was built) was by way of a footpath from the Main Road. The footpath was roughly

parallel to Parkeston Road but some 100 yards or so to the eastward. Hence a short row across the 80

to 100 yard wide tidal Dock River to the fields on the other side i.e. to Ray Island and its grazing cattle.

If you wanted a boat you called in to the Boatswain‟s house, hence the name. I would add that so far as

I am aware this is not a theory but a fact. One further point, the only remaining remnant of the original

Dock River is the so called pond, located on the south side of the road leading to the Golf Club.

Sincerely DG Congdon, Harwich

Dear Editor, My husband and I married in London in 1951. He was a Merchant Seaman and at that

time sailing from Harwich to the Hook of Holland. We lived in rooms in Oakland Road, Dovercourt. In

1953 my husband left the MN and we moved back to London. My lovely memories and recollections of

that time are many. I remember the awful floods of 1953 when two of our dear friends lost their homes. I

remember the annual carnival and I remember walking with my son to Harwich with my ration books to

buy sweets at a shop in no6 Kings Quay Street. Some 30 years later, I decided to try my hand at

genealogy and set out to find my father‟s side of the family. Can you just imagine that after lots of

research I found that no6 Kings Quay Street was a bakery owned by my 2 x Great Grandfather, William

Louis Gabriel Miller. Noting that he was also a Town Crier and Mace Bearer, I contacted the Guildhall

at Harwich and was invited to visit by Mr Weaver and I had a lovely day touring the Guildhall. I visited


POST BOX Cont inue d

the sweet shop and the then owner took me on a tour of the bakery, and I even found there was a

smugglers tunnel from the basement up to the St Nicholas‟ Churchyard. I am saddened to know that all

those years ago I regularly walked to the shop to buy sweets not knowing of my connection to it. It is no

wonder that after all these years I visit Harwich whenever I can, at least once a year, and always feel

drawn to the place.

Yours sincerely, Jenny Fenn, Stratford, London

Dear Editor, Boatswain‟s Call, well there‟s a familiar name. It was the name of a house in the old

clinic area, where I think my maternal grandmother may have lived as a child. Millie Southgate later

Rowland, talked of this and owned the four little cottages opposite. She talked of other relatives,

Stapleton who lived where the fish and chip shop now stands. The first shop there was started by Mrs

Ruth Southgate, who was married to Millie‟s brother Walter. At one point another relative who lived

at Boatswain‟s Call placed a stone there claiming that he was “Mayor of Upper Dovercourt” as a

joke. In closing a Boatswain‟s Call is a whistle on which he blows his orders.

Yours faithfully Sylvia Wardley, Hadleigh

Dear Editor, I think I can answer the question on the very large ship on Harwich beach. The name is

the Inverness. She was a fully rigged coal collier trading between the Thames and Newcastle. She was

caught in a storm and she lost her rigging, mast and sails and most of her super structure. My great

uncle, Pinky Williams, was Master of her. He put her on Harwich beach so horses and carts could

unload the coal. When old sailing ships don‟t have much life left they put them on the coal run. That is

why a lot of them finish up in Davey Jones‟ locker. She stayed on Harwich beach for quite a while. I

suppose to see if she was worth repairing. While on Harwich beach Walter Bennett (Tubby), a local

fisherman, told me it was the kids play area and when the tide came in they would swim ashore. Pinky

Williams moved it to be used as a breakwater off Navyard Wharf. When I worked for Sir Robert

McAlpine building the long arm at Navyard wharf we had to remove some ribs off the Inverness. The

older people and fishermen of Harwich know it as Inverness Corner named after the ship.

D Lovett, Parkeston

Dear Editor, The article in Highlight 159 „My Seafaring Years‟ mentioned the filming of „The sea shall

not have them‟. This was about an Air sea Rescue launch. I was reminded of the small part (not acting)

played at the Harwich Gas works in the making of the film. There was a working slipway, cradle and

winch at gas works creek. We were asked by GK Canns shipwrights if we would let them use the

slipway in the preparation of the launch to be used on the film. The manager, Bill Hainsborough,

agreed and we lowered the cradle to receive the launch and raised it out of the water. The launch was

fitted with 3 engines and it was decided to take out one of them, leaving 2 to power the boat. We were

asked to keep the massive propeller shaft safe, it being solid bronze. It was duly placed in our

workshop, under a long workbench for safekeeping. Many months later it was still there forgotten

about, until the manager decided to clean out the workshop. The shaft was duly carried down the Stour

Road a few yards to Skinners scrap yard and we all had a share of the sale of it. The slipway was also

used by the local fishermen for cleaning and painting their fishing boats during the winter. And was

also used by Mr Potts(?) to maintain his houseboat, an ex-launch, which was normally moored in the

Stour for many years. We knew him as „Sin bad‟. Ken Lincoln, Dovercourt

William Louis Gabriel Miller, born 1861

Town Crier and Mace Bearer

Photograph taken by Owen G Coates, 19 Lee Rd


WHAT IT MEANS TO BECOME OCCUPIED (Continued) Annie Bullivan t After the Allied landings in September 1944 in Arnhem and Nijmegen the situation became a lot

worse for the population in the west of the Netherlands. The Dutch Underground had ordered the

railway personnel to go on strike and lines and locomotives were sabotaged. The idea was that the

Germans would find it a lot more difficult to move men and ammunition to the war zones. Alas, the

landings failed and the result was that transport for food supplies became much more difficult and

impossible during the last months of the war. Grain, potatoes etc were grown in the east of the

country, vegetables and sugar beet more in the west. Coal was found in the south of the Netherlands

and that too became impossible to move. Consequently the power stations had to ration the amount of

gas and electricity to a few hours a day and had to stop working eventually. Some power was still

available for the hospitals. Every substitute ran out also, like candles, lamp oil, wood. No light or

warmth in the houses or schools! Empty houses were raided by people for the wood and they tried to

cut down trees along the canals, or at least the branches. This was strictly forbidden and if you were

caught, you would be transported to Germany to help with their war effort! Shoes, clothing, towels,

sheets etc were unobtainable, which was awful for children like myself and my two younger brothers,

as we were still growing. Because there was no soap, washing powder nor toothpaste diseases spread

and especially babies and youngsters died of diphtheria, measles and polio. In the large towns like

Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Haarlem etc communal kitchens were started where people

could get a simple meals with their ration coupons. They were closed in the winter of 1945 because of

lack of fuel and food. Older people died of cold and hunger and eventually couldn‟t even be buried!

There was no transport, no coffins, nor people to dig graves! The dead were wrapped in old cloths

and put together in a large building in Amsterdam. One of the first tasks when the Allied Forces

liberated the town was to bury the corpses. The second was to get coal from Limburg; the military

had transport!

At the end of the war, Amsterdam (and I presume other towns) nearly ran out of clean water. Tap

water was available for only a few short hours per day. By heroic efforts the personnel of the

pumping stations managed to keep going with poor fuel and their own weakened state. It was touch

and go whether the machines could go on working until the war ended.

In February 1945 the Swedish Red Cross was given permission to drop some food on the airfields

near the big towns. From about March 1945 we received 3kg of sugar beet per person per week. That

was all! (For babies there was a small amount of milk powder). Why sugar beet? There are a lot of

factories in north Holland. Because they had no fuel to produce sugar, the authorities decided that it

was wise to distribute it to the population. Better that than nothing! The beets had to be scrubbed

clean, cut into ribbons and boiled for a long time (difficult because of the lack of fuel). It produced a

sweet liquid and a pulp which my father mixed with a little bit of flour (until we ran out). It was a

kind of porridge! The last few days of the war we had only tulip bulbs to eat which made me very

sick.

At the end of April the allied forces came with their planes, flying very low. Parachutes rained on the

airfields with flour, margarine, oil and many other goodies so that the bakers could start their jobs

again. The hungry population climbed onto the rooftops and welcomed the crews with (torn) sheets,

flags, anything.

A few days later the Canadians liberated Amsterdam. They brought containers with very hard

(army?) biscuits which we children ate in large quantities. War was over at last!


THE OFFICI AL PROGRAMME FOR HARWICH WEEK - DATE?


THE GREATEST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE – Mavis Lovell (nee Richmond) I was part of the large families of Richmonds and Smys and living in Third Avenue with my father, Les,

my mother Elsie and younger brother and sister Jack and Dilys, when war broke out. I was in the second

year at the High School in 1940 when the following events took place:

On Sunday, 26 May 1940, the Minister of Health broadcast at the end of the 9 o‟clock news. He

announced the names of nineteen towns on the south, east and south-east coasts whose children were to

be evacuated. Among these was Harwich. Of course, there was great excitement in the town and here

and there one could see crowds of parents discussing whether to let their children go. It was surprising

the number of people that asked mother whether she would let us go. Some even said that if she let us

go they would let their children go. The tension of everyone was so great that it affected all the children

and made them feel it inwardly. Luckily most of the parents were sensible enough to let their children

go.

By Saturday most of the arrangements were made and on that day we were ready for a rehearsal and

were told the area into which we were to go. I do not think that any child among us slept one wink

during the night, such was the excitement. Before I went, with my brother and sister, I said goodbye to

our very numerous relations, collecting ever so much money on our way. When I went away I was just

thirteen, my brother was twelve and Dilys only just five. It must have been a great effort for my parents

to part with that baby, knowing that she was going, only with her little friend of four, into a strange

home.

On Sunday we were all ready for an adventure, as we children regarded it, but after we had assembled at

our different schools and were walking to the station, some of the children saw their mothers weeping

and it upset them. We were at the station by 7.30 a.m. When we were waiting in our squads and sections

for the train, crowds surged through the barriers to bid farewell. All along the railway line were crowds

of people, shouting, weeping, waving and laughing at us. This continued for about two miles and after

that we tried to settle down. Nobody had eaten anything for the last day or two, but once on the way,

one would have thought we hadn‟t eaten for a week or more.

When at last we got out of the train, we were herded into a place called Lister‟s Hall in Dursley. There

we were given a ration of two big buns and two cups of tea which we ate and drank as if we were ever

so hungry. We were supplied with a tin of bully-beef and one of condensed milk so that we had „nothing

to fear‟ if our hosts and hostesses were not expecting us. For the third time in a week we had a medical

inspection and our „form‟ was sent to a bus that was waiting for us. We then went to Cam Memorial

Hall and were fetched by our foster parents. I was sent to a house at the foot of a hill called Cam Peak. It

was a pretty bungalow and was owned by Mr Griffin and his wife. They had no children and were fairly

young, but although they had no idea as to how to look after me, they made a very good effort and

succeeded very well. The next day, none of us would have admitted this to be the reason for our silence

but I know it to be true, we were all so homesick as to have great lumps in our throats.

I went to see my brother that day and the day after we went to Falfield to see Dilys. The billeting officer

had the address where we could find out where Dilys was staying. After endless telephoning, we were

taken to her place in the vicar‟s car. We found her looking very white and tired in a huge white

farmhouse with her little friend. She had been given a wonderful home and was given fruit, eggs, milk

and chicken to live on and a big room as a bedroom and another as a playroom. Jack had also found a

good comfortable home with a boy of his own age, and his parents.

Although we were all given such a very good time, we were none of us sorry when my mother came to

fetch us after about three months to take us to Epping. When she came none could have been made more

welcome than she was and I think that no village could have given us better homes. Also I think that we

were as grateful as possible to them all for everything they did for us.


EV ACUATION MEMORIES Margare t B i rk in (nee West lake )

The following account has been compiled from extracts of letters written home by Margaret (Peggy)

Westlake between June 1940 and July 1942, when she returned to Dovercourt. She was eleven years

old when evacuated to Uley, near Dursley, on June 2nd 1940.

Wednesday 5.6.40 (first letter?) – I hope you are quite well ….. Beech House is a big house with

about sixteen rooms. Mrs Keevil has two dogs, two cats and a crowd of chickens. On Monday we

were free from school and in the afternoon we went up the Cotswolds with Miss Keevil. On Tuesday

morning we went for a ride in the car with Jim, one of Mrs Keevil‟s sons. She has three sons, Jim,

Vivian and a married son, Bob. The garden is huge with two lawns, fruit trees and bushes. Yesterday

we picked gooseberries for Mrs Keevil, but in the evening we had an escapade. Mrs Keevil owns a

field at the back of the house but allows a man‟s cows (or calves) to go in. We went to the field to

feed the hens but didn‟t shut the gate properly. One of the dogs got in and chased the calves, who

made a bolt for the gate. When we came out of the shed we found the calves in the garden but

chased them out before they did any damage. This morning we had to be at Dursley (2 ½ miles

away) at half-past ten. We went in the car but had to walk back. At the meeting this morning in

Dursley Secondary School we were told to assemble next Monday at 2pm. The Head said that later

on we would have a school bus [we didn‟t]. There is a sweet shop opposite us but my money has not

gone yet. It is very hot here in the valley and we hardly ever use a coat.

Thursday 13.6.40 – We go to church with Miss Keevil and Yvonne [co-evacuee] has her Sunday

clothes. Although our bus money for school is refunded I am nearly spent. I have 4d left.

Tuesday (undated) – I have started school dinners. Quite alright so far. … a friend has asked me if I

would join with her and another girl to act a few scenes in aid of the Red Cross. We are going to do

it in the Electricity Demonstration Hall. I had a very nice birthday. On Friday last at 6pm five girls

came here to celebrate my birthday. We played games until about 8 o‟clock. Then we had a supper

party. It was a „surprise‟ for me prepared by Miss Keevil.

Sunday (undated) (later in the year) - As well as a Carol Service and party at school, we are having a

Sunday School party with a sort of pantomime. I am in it – and Von.

Tuesday (undated) - We were darning yesterday and Jim asked us if we would care to go to Bristol

in his car. We did and saw bomb craters and a house with the whole front blown off.

9.2 1941 – How are you off for rations now? Our cheese ration is ¾ oz. per head, per week. Talking

of rations we take our dinner to school and our ration is 3 sandwiches. Sometimes our sandwiches

are substantial. Just occasional chicken roll or sardine ones. Otherwise jam or paste. In fact we are

often given 3d each to buy 3 cakes for dinner. Once a week we have a cooked meal for tea.

24.4.41 – We, 4 other girls and I, act plays on a hard tennis court, before the other dinner girls. We

have done several. I have produced them all. Now all the girls who have school dinner watch.

13.6.41 – We haven‟t had any sweets for a long time. The June supply hasn‟t come yet. I am afraid

the money you sent has expired what with 4/- shoes, 7 1/2d toothpaste, 7 1/2d stamps, 6d haircut,

etc.

9.10.41 – Yesterday I went blackberrying and hip-picking on the Bury. The hips are wanted to make

some sort of cordial for babies, supposed to contain more vitamins than oranges, even. We are

getting 1/- for 7 lbs of them. I shan‟t grumble at having to go back to school. We have some fun! Mr

Weaver in History lessons makes us laugh.


EV ACUATION MEMORIES Cont inued

4.5.42 – I had a bath this evening. The only source of water is a hand pump in the scullery. Water has

to be boiled in a pan in the kitchen and taken up the backstairs.

7.6.42 – I don‟t think I shall like the Clacton school as much as this (all my pals are here) but that

doesn‟t matter as long as it‟s home, so if Dad agrees, I‟m coming. I wouldn‟t be at all surprised if the

school came because most of us are going home for the holidays and a few for good. Only 12 more

days!

F IRE MARKS David Whi t t l e

In the 18th Century after many large city fires Insurance Companies were the first to form Fire

Brigades to protect the properties that were covered by their Insurance Policies. Fire Marks were

issued to Policyholders to identify the buildings to the firefighters. If your house had a “Fire Mark”

the fire was put out, if it did not it was left to burn.

Two local Fire Marks have been brought to our attention, the first is from Malcolm Carter‟s family

with a Fire Mark issued by Royal Exchange Assurance on 27th November 1784 relating to a house in

West Street owned by Richard Wood, Mariner, with a tenant named Samuel Whittingham Taylor.

Older members of the family can remember this Fire Mark attached to a house in Kings Head Street.

As a result of research by Malcolm this Fire Mark is documented.

Harwich Fire Mark Ramsey Fire Mark

The second Fire Mark information is from Bryans Knights. He was given it by Frank Ellis, a builder

and Undertaker also Church Organist at Ramsey Church in the 1960‟s. Bryans went to The Guildhall

Library in London to research the Royal Exchange Assurance and came up with the following

information.

The Policy was issued to John Bailey, bricklayer of Harwich on 17th April 1781 for tenements of

brick and tile situated in the village of Ramsey. The Tenants were named as Messrs Cook, Smyth,

Ellis, Palmer, Belcham with two empty. It is assumed the buildings were on the site of 65 The Street

as cottages were pulled down prior to its construction. It is interesting to note that the names of

Palmer and Ellis were still inhabitants of Ramsey in the 70‟s, but is not known if they were direct

descendants.

Perhaps some of our members are in possession of a Fire Mark, let us know.


H AR W I C H FR O M T HE AI R c 1 9 5 0

This photograph dates from c1950 and the trees in the churchyard are pre 1953 flood.

Closer examination brings out a number of items of interest such as:

Top left - Old Gas Works

Centre top - Old Trinity House Workshop & Buoy Yard

Far left - High Lighthouse

Bottom left - Treadwheel Crane

Centre bottom (behind church) - Old Esplanade School

Bottom right - Former houses in Wellington Road opposite churchyard (now dinghy park)

Bottom right - Opposite the lifeboat shed (now Lifeboat Museum) is the long black roof of the ba-

nana shed (used for banana ripening). Adjoining the banana shed on Wellington Road frontage is the

curved roof of the Fire Service nissen hut with the hose drying tower opposite

Centre right - On the corner of Outpart Eastward is the large block of the former Royal Hotel (later

Royal Flats) and the former two adjoining cottages


YE ARS OF MY LIFE CONTINUED Tom Sne l l ing

I was called up for army service in 1951 for two years; my initial training was undertaken at

Aldershot. This covered a period of two weeks. After this I was sent to Blandford in Dorset which

had a famous motor bike track. My 21st birthday was spent on a troop train and we arrived at our

camp in Blandford at 7pm after much shunting about. Our camp was placed in the middle of the race

course, the troops were use as marshals during the races. I saw many famous riders whilst on duty

there. I had to complete a five month course to become a cook. We went on training courses on

Salisbury Plain in mid winter and slept in sleeping bags outside in the freezing cold.

We had been trained to do field cooking underground and had to pass a cook‟s course led by a Major

and after completing the course we got seven days leave. It was the first time I had been home since I

was drafted into the army. My wife was still working at Bramble Island explosives plant and whilst

she was working there there was an explosion in the next hut which killed four men. Her hut was

blown down by the force of the blast, she and a friend dived under a bench. They only received a few

cuts and bruises and were very lucky. I didn‟t find out what had happened until later that night when

they both came home from an inspection of what had happened.

I then received a posting to a depot called GAD, Sergeant Bramley was short six cooks in his staff.

He explained the work I was expected to do. I got on with it and eventually became so good at it I

was made a corporal and was placed in charge of the cooks under Sergeant Bramley. We took it in

turns to take weekend passes home. I was sent on an NCO course which involved a lot of extra

training. Our hut was placed on the banks of the Basingstoke canal. One night there was a break in at

the armoury and 2 Bren guns were stolen. We had to search high and low for them but we didn‟t find

them until one day when we were having grenade practice. A dummy grenade went down an air raid

shelter. One of the boys went to retrieve it and found the two Bren guns on the seats. We got a 72

hour pass as a reward.

After that I returned to my own depot and stayed there for the rest of my service. In 1953 I was

discharged from the army. I was glad in a way as the money was poor. My wife had £27 and 12

shillings a week for herself and my daughter and I had a small amount of money for boot polish and

blanco. I went home to a bedsit with my wife‟s mother on the Bathside. There were three families

living in the house. I took a job as a scrap man right away so I could support my family.

Disaster struck again however on the 31st January 1953. North sea floods submerged our house in 12

foot of water; the whole of Bathside was one big pond with nowhere to go. There were 13 of us living

in our house, in two rooms. My wife‟s cousin came back from Colchester right into the floods near

the Main Road school and had to make his way home by swimming down Maria Street to the house,

only to find that his sister had gone to see if his brother was ok in Albert Street. He was but the flat

below had a man‟s head hanging out of a fanlight window. He was trying to get out and a pig was

caught in the front railings.

He swam back to dry out and we all waited until morning before we could get out through the bay

window. We got into a small boat which took us up to Stour Road (or High Road as we knew it). It

was a good job too as most of us got over the bridge only to find Victoria Street flooded. I could not

find my wife until that night when I arrived down Beach Road with a loaf of bread under my arm and

a pack of butter in my pocket which I had bought from the Coop at the back of Grafton Road area.


YE ARS OF MY LIFE CONTINUED

We all left the house through a large bay window by small boats. The women and children were

taken to an emergency reception centre at the Drill Hall (Park Pavilion) in Dovercourt, and later

moved to the army Transit Camp in Upper Dovercourt. Us two men remained in the area for a time

helping with the evacuation in Harbour Crescent. We later reported to the Drill Hall where we were

listed as „unaccounted for‟ at that stage. We made our way to the Transit Camp and on the way

found that my wife and baby had been taken in by a friend in Dovercourt. I was glad my young

daughter could not understand the situation my family found themselves in. My wife‟s friend‟s aunt

took us in at her house in Beach Road until the next day when we went to my sister‟s in Grange

Road. We later got a caravan on Harwich Green. I went to sea with Trinity House at that time so that

I could support my wife and daughter.

WHAT DID THE ROMANS DO FOR US? Malcolm Sta f ford

Well they gave us tuns actually.

The Romans loved their wine and because wine became the dominant cargo moved around Europe

in casks or „tuna‟ which could be rolled and handled using simple lifting gear to and from standard

Roman carts. A Roman tuna „cask‟ held about 200 imperial gallons of water or wine which weighed

about 2,000 pounds and counting the cask itself was a total of 2,240 pounds, which is the origin of

our imperial short and long tons.

As a „tuna‟ would fit in about 40 cubic feet in volume it became a custom to describe the carrying

capacity of a ship in the equivalent weight and or volume of casks of wine. The earning potential of

a ship (tonnage) became the basis of port charges. This worked well until the arrival of the industrial

revolution.

With the numbers of ships and seamen being lost at sea and questions raised as to the fairness of port

charges, that did not consider if a ship was loaded or not or took into account the physical type,

length, breadth and draft of a ship, Parliament decided to look into the entire system.

In 1854 a system was introduced whereby a ship would be registered based on the enclosed cubic

feet volume divided by 100, which became known as the Gross Registered Tonnage and deducting

the non cargo carrying spaces became known as the Net Registered Tonnage.

The roll-on roll-off ships of World War 2 questioned this system as they had no „enclosed‟ space and

the United Nations set up the International Consultative Organisation which defined Gross Tonnage

to be the internal volume of a ship expressed in cubic metres and the Net Tonnage to be the volume

of the cargo and passenger spaces.

Therefore, thanks to the Romans the Gross and the Net Tonnage of a ship has nothing to do with the

weight.

Before anyone comments 2,240 lbs is now replaced by the metric tonne of 2,200 lbs (1000)

kilograms.

(Reprinted from the Felixstowe Society Newsletter by courtesy of the Editor and the Author)


O BI T U AR I E S

It is with regret that we record the deaths of the following members:

RON PHILLIPS, aged 79. Ron was born in Felixstowe but moved to Brightlingsea at an early age,

and attended Colchester Royal Grammar School. His first job was as an apprentice engineer with

Paxmans at Colchester. He went to sea for five years with P & O before taking a shore job with

Vacuumatic in Dovercourt. He worked for Vacuumatic for thirty years until the firm closed, he then

took a part time job at Navyard until he retired. He enjoyed gardening and was a keen badminton

player. He was a member of the Caledonian Society and a regular Scottish Country Dancer.

JACK RUNDELL aged 93. Jack was born in Plymouth and spent his early years there. In his youth

he played rugby which led to a lifelong interest in the sport. He met his wife at the Plymouth

Pennycross Methodist Church Rowing Club in the 1930s and spent many happy weekends “messing

about on the river”. Despite this he was a lifelong non-swimmer. During the war years Jack worked in

Devonport Dockyard first as a boilermaker and then as a draughtsman, but during the blitz was

transferred to Bath where he was recruited into the Home Guard. After the war he joined HM

Customs & Excise and this brought him to Harwich. In Harwich he was a very popular colleague, a

quiet amiable person who would get things done without a fuss. He was also Secretary of the

Customs Sports Club where he played tennis, table tennis, darts and cricket for their teams. He was

also an avid doer of Daily Telegraph crosswords, even to his last days.

RANDOLPH STOW, the award winning Australian author aged 74. Randolph was born at

Geraldton in Western Australia and published his first novel in 1956 while still an undergraduate at

the University of Western Australia. He had a great interest in indigenous cultures and spent four

months working at the Mission Store near Kimberly, where he explored the stunning landscape and

spoke with the Oombulgurri people. These experiences inspired the writing of the award winning “To

the Islands”. He went on to work in Papua New Guinea as a Government Anthropologist but was

forced back to Australia after contracting cerebral malaria. In 1965 while staying on a ranch in Aztec,

New Mexico, USA, he wrote his longest and most overtly autobiographical novel, “The Merry-Go-

Round in the Sea” He also published volumes of poems and in 1969 he settled in East Bergholt,

Suffolk where he continued to write. In 1981 he moved to Harwich and bought himself a little house

in Kings Head Street. Although an intensely private person, he often could be found sat in the corner

of one of Harwich‟s many pubs. It was believed that he was writing descriptions of the regulars he

observed around him.

HARWICH BOROUGH COUNCI L

The last meeting of the Harwich Borough

Council to be held in the

Old Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich

on 27th September 1951

(photo courtesy of Pauline Vincent)


MEMBERSHIP NOTES Ai leen Farne l l

1st September. What is so special about that date, you may ask. Well it is the „Subscriptions

Due Day‟ for the new membership year. Please pay promptly and may I again ask for members to

enclose a stamped addressed envelope or donation towards postage when renewing. This helps me

greatly with the enormous task of delivering new membership cards and also helps keep down costs

for the Society. Thank you in advance.

Subscription rates for the current year are as follows:

Adult - per person £7.50

Family - (two adults and all children under 18) £10.00

Senior - per person £5.00

Junior - (under 18 or full-time student) £5.00

Overseas member £11.00

Non-profit making group £11.00

Commercial group £11.00

Subscriptions can be left at/sent to my home address at 1 Portland Crescent, Dovercourt, Harwich,

Essex CO12 3QH. If it is more convenient, you can leave your subscriptions (in an envelope please)

at Coes Mans shop, High St, Dovercourt or at Foresters, 5 Church St, Harwich. Cheques/Postal

Orders should be made payable to „The Harwich Society‟.

Finally, may I welcome the following new members to the Society. I hope the enjoy their

membership:

Terence & Maureen Andrews, Dovercourt Brian & Sandra Heath, Dovercourt

Telford & Heather Smith, Dovercourt Nick & Sue Turner, Frinton-on-Sea

Michael Wright, Parkeston Alex Thompson, Dovercourt

June Bretherton & David Whitehead, Harwich Ann Smith, Dovercourt

Maureen Townsend, Dovercourt Dorothy Harries, Dovercourt

Vera-Jane & Nigel Warner, Dovercourt Phyllis Abbot, Dovercourt

Marian Paterson-Smith, Dovercourt Mr & Mrs Catchpole, Dovercourt

Roy Brundle, Dovercourt Les Gooch, Dovercourt

Mick Moules, Lt Oakley Rod & Elizabeth Loyd, Manningtree

Betty Scibberas, Dovercourt David & Glynis Charles, Dovercourt

Kevin McEwen, Holland-on-Sea Dennis & Joy Hales, Dovercourt

Sue Elmer, Dovercourt Barbara Scotchbrook, Dovercourt

Francis Flanagan, Dovercourt Richard Diaper, Lt Oakley

Peter & Doris Lyons, Dovercourt Mr T Long, Dovercourt

Ann Mather, Nuneaton Margaret Maltby, Belper

Illustration courtesy of John Sallows


COMING ATTRACTIONS Fred Taylo r

HIGHLIGHT PRODUCTION TE AM

The Editor, Anne Kemp-Luck, thanks all contributors and

Aileen Farnell for typing the manuscript

Colin & Aileen Farnell for addressing and sorting

George & Margaret Ricketts for enveloping

and the 33 members of the „Highlight Delivery Team‟ who deliver it to you

Also thanks to Jenny Rundell for Talking Highlight

Copy for the next issue of „Highlight‟ should be with the Editor

by Sunday 5th September 2010

JUNE Friday 25th Moth evening in Bobbit’s Hole Nature Reserve. 9pm. Details and bookings 01255 553610 JULY Thursday 1st - Harwich Festival (see brochure for events available from Ha’penny Sunday 11th Pier Visitor Centre and other outlets) Sunday 4

th & Open Days at Foresters, 5 Church Street 10.30am to 4.30pm

Sunday 11th

Pictures & artefacts on display Saturday 17

th Gala Concert, Kingsway Hall, Dovercourt by Clacton Concert

Orchestra at 7pm. In aid of the Harwich Society project at Bobbit’s Hole Nature Reserve and another local charity. Tickets £6 or family £10. Details 01255 223455

Saturday 17

th & Open Gardens Scheme in aid of St Nicholas Church restoration.

Sunday 18th Tickets from the Church or Church Wardens.

AUGUST Sunday 8

th Open Day at Bobbits Hole Nature Reserve 10am to 3pm

View the amazing progress. Full details on page 9 Monday 30

th Open Day at Redoubt Fort 12 noon to 4pm

Barbecue & Fun, Raffle will be drawn SEPTEMBER Friday 24

th Harwich Society Film Archive by David Whittle at The Navigator

7 for 7.30pm (Change of programme)

harwich society 2 newsletter

Documents

organ scholarship

organ studies

organ console

royal college of music

st marys church

st johns church

music group

landermere music school