Billericay: Aftermath of the Zeppelin

Photograph not published before.
After the Zeppelin: Snails Hall Farm, Billericay

On 24 September 1916 a German Zeppelin brought down in flames landed in a field of Snails Hall Farm, South Green, Billericay.  John Maryon told how thousands visited the site (see elsewhere on this blog).  This photograph has recently come to light and was kindly shown to me by a family member and scanned for publication.   It shows where the Zeppelin landed, the charred field boundary and the barn, in the background, where the German crew - all dead - were placed.  John Maryon, tenant farmer, is photographed with his wife.  

Blackmore: Blewgates

Blewgates

Blewgates 1901

“Blewgates Blackmore 1901.  Back row.  Francie, Bob, Effie, John Maryon, Jeanie, Joe, Chrisie, G/F Alexander, Olive Charlotte, G/M Alexander, John Maryon, Maggie Maryon, Kath.”

Grandfather Alexander ran a plantation in Brazil before coming to Bluegates.

Blackmore: Schoolchildren in 1895

Blackmore School, 1895

Blackmore School

“Blackmore School Group about 1895. Master Mr Hood.  Top row next to Master – Nellie and Francie Alexander.  Nellie died shortly after of diphtheria – Francie – born in Brazil as was Nellie and died in Toronto – 1960.  Second row up – fifth child from the left – A. Chrissie born 1891 and still living – 1972 in Toronto – sixth from the left – Uncle Joe 1889 – 1959 died Manchester.”

Kelvedon Hatch: The story of Monkey Joe

The Baptism of Monkey Joe (about 1860)

Written by John Maryon, 1897-1975.

I had heard of him since I began to know myself because he was a step uncle to my father and born about 10 years before him (1860) at the ‘Wheatsheaf” Nine Ashes.  I got to know him by sight in Brentwood up to about 1928, when I belive he died – in Billericay infirmary, or paupers end up.  A diminutive figure with a large mottled nose, and a squeaky little voice speaking in broad Essex dialect.  Such a dialect as you seldom hear now, 1970, having been eradicated by 46 years or so of BBC broadcasts and later TV.  Mores the pity as it had considerable humour about it, but to be fully appreciated, spoken with a long drawl, unsuitable for what little expression one has time to explore himself now.  Time is money and everything is calculated in terms of time.

I suppose Joe had a formal Christian baptism and this could be ascertained by a perusal of the church registers of High Ongar for that period.  But legend says, he had another and more boisterous one at the “Wheatsheaf” Nine Ashes.  This was done I gin, I understand, and undoubtedly the High Priest would have been Bob Amos – 1828-1917.  A sporting farmer, living hard by at Lorkins Farm, on Christian name terms with Jim Mace, and not a bad artist with his fists himself.  Could play a fair tune on a piana, or a strapping chorus girl from London, could he inveigle her down to his farm.  An excellent shot with a 12 bore was he, and muzzle loader before it.  He could mix in any company – high or low – with a strong preference for the latter.

This baptism would in modern parlance – be right up his street.  With him would be Dick Oliver a younger protégé of Bobs in the fist game, Choikey Brazier, Hookey Winger, Rhubarb Chandler, and other worthies.  They all earned a tough ill paid living in agriculture, and the taking of the products thereof to the Metropolis.  Especially hay for the teeming horse population there.  Also among them, would be also certainly be Lardie Farmer, a very kind person, but also of necessity rough and tough, and of most uncertain temper.  Always came in for a certain amount of teasing from the poverty striken community, but the teaser would find himself with bodily injuries, if he took things too far. 

So little Joe was christened in gin, and with this inestimable start, proceeded to grow.  He grew up in a rural environment, his father and my great grandfather being a jack of all trades such as thatching, sheep shearing, horse clipping and haybinding.  He was also the licensee of small country beerhouses and was landlord of three of these oasis – “The White Horse” burned down finally, after degenerating into a private residence on Paslow Common, the Wheatsheaf, and finally the Shepherd inn on Kelvedon Common.  Little Joe was to grow to manhood in the last named pub and by his appearance and cunning left his nickname “Monkey” as part of the unofficial title there: premises acquired viz – The Drum and Monkey.

Joe’s father was a poacher and the receiver and disposer of poached game.  He always obeyed the eleventh commandment, by never being caught at his pastime.  Little Joe’s mother, being as broad as she was long, became the Drum, of the Drum and Monkey.  She died of cancer on these premises.

JM

High Ongar: Rookery Cottages

Glass House

Rookery Cottages

“The Glass House at Blackmore.  Uncle Jim and family outside.  Otherwise Rookery Cottages.  Grandfather Maryon came here about 1871.  He fathered and reared 10 out of 15 children.”

Billericay: Farm Workers at South Green

Scythers

Farm workers

This photograph was taken in a field near South Green, Billericay, and came into my possession on the death of an old farm worker.  Apparently on handing it over just before his death in 1967 to the person from whom I procured it he gave the names of the individuals in the gang.  Unfortunately this information has been mislaid.  Before it is too late, perhaps some of your older readers may recognize the agricultural heroes in the photograph.  They will be over eighty years of age if they can.  JOHN MARYON … Hornchurch.

“Left – Right.  Whittaker, Laver, Willis, George Coleman, Jack Carter, Sam Broughtwood, and ‘Little’ Tommy Reed.”

Galleywood: James Jobson

James Jobson
Essex Police

“James Jobson as a young constable stationed at Dunmow about 1900.  Lost his job at Galleywood Races, for removing helmet and tunic and fighting with a man called Alabaster – a Romford tough.  Fight lasted a considerable time, as both men were rough and tough.  The winner by only a small margin by James Jobson – took £2 prize money.  Earned a living by navvying, leading heavy stud stallions around Essex during the breeding season – March to May.  Finally became the landlord of public house on the edge of Galleywood Common till retirement. Died 87 years.  Was a very close fisted man – moneywise. Inclined to get out of debt by threat of bodily violence.”

JM

I checked whether this story was true with Essex Police archives.

Andrew

Many thanks for this.  I have checked our records for Jobson.

James W. Jobson

born Writtle circa 1874.

Previous occupation Labourer.

Joined Essex Constabulary 1 January 1898.

Left 31 March 1898.

He is shown as having resigned from the Force.  There is no indication as to the reason.  If he had been dismissed in the circumstances you outline, then it would have been shown in the comments.

Regards

Martyn

Brentwood: Walter Jordan of Crows Green

Walter Jordan

“Photo taken of Mr Walter Jordan and his little dog “Bessie”. This was taken in his old age, when living at Crows Green, Pilgrims Hatch near Brentwood.  I would think he was of 1850 vintage, and was a farmer cum publican, or vice versa”.

Billericay: John Wheal, a maker of boots

John Wheal, a maker of boots

“He married Emma Argent, sister of my grandmother and came to Billericay at about 1860-1 and lived in cottage behind ‘Rising Sun’ on the Laindon Road, where John Wheal was a boot maker and mender. Took him 14 hours to make a pair of farm workers heavy boots which were waterproof, and needed no repair for a year of constant wear. Died 1900 and buried with his wife at Gt. Burstead.”