Blackmore: Church Restorations etc

An extract from The Essex Review, Volume 11, 1902

Blackmore.—The renovation of the church of St. Lawrence, which has occupied four years, is at length completed, and the restored building was publicly dedicated by the Bishop of St.. Albans on 9th June. The improvements include the entire re-framing of the roof of the nave, the re-building of the north arcade, re-erection of the north wall, renewal of the aisle roofs, and alterations in the chancel, new oak choir stalls, pulpit, lectern, and screen. A new organ and three painted windows have also been placed in the church. All the bells have been re-hung, and the tenor bell is re-cast. The unique spire and timber tower, which Mr. Chancellor has described as “the glory of Blackmore Church” (see E.R. viii. 65> 86), have been practically rebuilt, the old wood being utilised: as far as possible. A reference to the illustrations in Mr. Chancellor’s article above referred to, will show its peculiar three-storied character, which, with the dormer windows in the roof of nave, rendered the old priory church “a magnificent piece of carpentry.” Its dilapidated condition may be surmised from the fact that £2,500 has been expended on the restoration,, which has been carried out under the direction of Mr.Chancellor, in accordance with the historical associations of the ancient building. A strip of land has been given by Mr. T. R. Hull for enlargement of the churchyard. Altogether the sums given and collected are noteworthy in so small a parish, and are due chiefly to the untiring efforts of the Vicar, the Rev. W. L. Petrie

Henry Fitzroy. Born Blackmore. June 1519

To commemorate the five hundredth anniversary of the birth of Henry Fitzroy, the illegitimate son of King Henry VIII, in Blackmore a display has been mounted around the eight sides of the Font in the Priory Church of St Laurence telling his story and connection with the village.  The display will remain in place throughout the month following its 'unveiling' at the Blackmore Village Fayre over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.  For those unable to see this in person, the eight panels are repeated below.

Henry Fitzroy

Born June 1519, Blackmore

Birth

Henry Fitzroy, the illegitimate son of King Henry VIII was born at Blackmore Priory in June 1519.  His mother, Bessie Blount, a lady in the retinue of Queen Catherine of Aragon, was one of the King’s mistresses.  “Without the birth of Henry Fitzroy, Bessie’s own affair would have probably gone unrecorded”.  When Bessie became visibly pregnant Thomas Wolsey discreetly dispatched her to Jericho House in Blackmore, the home of the prior Thomas Goodwyn.  “Bessie made her final appearance at court early in October 1518”.

Baptism

There is no surviving record of Henry Fitzroy’s baptism anywhere.  It is possible that the ceremony was held here at Blackmore around this Font.  Cardinal Wolsey was a godparent. He was absent from Court from 19 June to 29 June 1519.  Wolsey had been godparent for the boy’s half-sister Mary, the only surviving child born of Queen Catherine.   Could this font have been the place where the ceremony quietly took place?

Royal Visitor

Henry VIII is alleged to have been a frequent visitor to Jericho House where Bessie stayed after Fitzroy’s birth.  The King is said to have given orders not to be disturbed hence the expression used in Court, “He has gone to Jericho”.  The Priory was one of the King’s “Houses of Pleasure”.   (The present Jericho Priory was rebuilt c.1712.)   Bessie Blount may have later had a daughter by the King around 1520 at Blackmore.  She was married off to Gilbert Tailbois (or Tailboys), who hailed from a rich Lincolnshire family.  They may have married in April 1522 because “the king began to be conspicuously generous to Gilbert Tailboys”.

Henry Fitzroy Coat of Arms

Priory

Blackmore Priory was dissolved in 1527 because of its immoral goings-on.  In that year there were only four Canons in residence.   From “the records of the dissolution … it does appear that the prior was somewhat more worldly than he should have been”: its debts ran to one third of the annual income.   Perhaps the expenditure was higher than usual, sheltering a future King?  Cardinal Wolsey was granted the income from the dissolution.

Honours

Much admired and spoilt by Henry VIII, Henry Fitzroy was, by the age of six, created Duke of Richmond with the titles Earl of Nottingham and Duke of Somerset.   This placed Henry Fitzroy in an honoured position because the title held precedence over all other Dukes except potential legitimate sons of the King.   By doing so, Henry VIII had elevated his son’s position in society such that he would be a more eligible bachelor.   By the age of eight Henry Fitzroy was Admiral of England, Ireland and Normandy.

Early Marriage & Early Death

Thomas Howard was the 3^rd Duke of Norfolk, a very powerful and ambitious man in the court of Henry VIII.  He brought about the marriage to Henry VIII of his nieces, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard and for good measure his daughter Mary was married to Henry Fitzroy.  Henry Fitzroy died in 1536 of tuberculosis.  He was 17 years old.  His body was buried at Thetford Priory but later transferred to Framlingham Church in Suffolk, where it lies in an ornate tomb alongside other members of the Norfolk family.  Had he survived the course of English history could have changed and Fitzroy crowned Henry IX.

Blackmore. Festival of Nine Lessons with Carols. 22 December 1968

Fifty years ago, on Sunday 22 December 1968, Revd. Monty Knott led a traditional Carol Service at Blackmore.  This is the Order of Service.

Blackmore. Remembrance 100. Last Chance to See Moving Tribute

The Poppy Trail and Display in the churchyard of St Laurence, Blackmore, has attracted many visitors over the last fortnight.  Many have commented that it is a "moving tribute" to those who served in the First World War, whose Centenary of its ending was marked on 11 November.  Photographs taken this afternoon.  This is the last opportunity to see the work before it is dismantled on Wednesday 21 November. Can be seen during the shortening daylight hours.

Blackmore. Remembering Alfred George Ellis

Alfred George Ellis

War Memorial: Place and inscription War Memorial: Buckhurst Hill St Stephen Lych Gate Memorial, and Hornchurch. Church Window (St Laurence Church, Blackmore): Alfred George Ellis Ongar & District War Memorial Hospital Roll of Honour (Blackmore) as A Ellis [ERO A10815]

Rank: Private

Regiment: Essex Regiment 1st Battalion. Service No 9898 [CWGC]

Service Details: Enlisted: Warley, Essex  [Source: Essex Regiment Museum database]

Personal and family information: Next of kin: son of Walter and Emma Ellis, Hornchurch, Essex. Husband of Eliza J Barnard (formerly Ellis), 37 Albert Road, Buckhurst Hill. [Source: Essex Regiment Museum database] Born Hook End, Blackmore about 1891, parents Walter [haybinder] and Emma [1901 census].  No record of Baptism at Blackmore.  [Essex Record Office] Younger sibling, Walter, baptised at Blackmore, 2nd July 1895 [ERO D/P 266/1/11] suggesting a family move in the intervening years. No Ellis entries in Register between 1875-1895. 1911 Census: Blackmore Walter Ellis.  Head.  Married.  [Age] 54. Farm Labourer. [Born] Stondon, Essex. Emma Ellis.   Wife.  [Age] 43. [Born] Havering, Essex Harry Ellis. Son. Single. [Age] 21. Bricklayer Labourer. [Born] Blackmore Alfred Ellis.  Son.  Single.  [Age] 18.  Bricklayer Labourer.  [Born] Blackmore Walter Ellis.   Son.  Single.  [Age] 15.  Stable Lad. [Born] Blackmore Eliza Ellis.  Daughter. [Age] 13. Home. [Born] Blackmore Louisa Ellis.  Daughter. [Age] 12. School.  [Born] Blackmore William Ellis.  Son.  [Age] 10.  School.  [Born] Blackmore Jack Ellis.  Son.  [Age] 3.  Home.  [Born] Blackmore Possible marriage Hampstead Q2 1909, but wife not named [Statutory Register]

Date of Death: 28th June 1915

Age: 24

Where died: Wounded Gallipoli 05/1915. Killed in action. Gallipoli. 28.6.1915. No known grave  [Source: Essex Regiment Museum database]

Place of Burial or Commemoration: Remembered on the Helles Memorial in Turkey.  Panel 144 to 150 or 229 to 233. [CWGC]

List of Sources: Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Essex Record Office, Essex Regiment Museum, Statutory Register

Blackmore: Remembering Jacob Wiltshire

Jacob Wiltshire on Poppy Trail: November 2018

Jacob Wiltshire

War Memorial: Place and inscription Blackmore War Memorial. Listed as survivor: Pte. J. Wiltshire Essex

Rank: Private

Regiment: Essex Regiment. 10th Battalion.

Service Details: Jacob Wiltshire enlisted 10th December 1915 as number 35526. Invalided from the Army, 18th September 1917. [Essex Regiment Museum]

Personal and family information: Births Sep 1888.  Wiltshire.  Jacob.  Ongar. 4a. 299.  [Free BMD] 1901 Census.  Jacob Wiltshire, age 12, born Blackmore, living at Spriggs Farm with father George, horseman on farm, born Vernham Dean, Hants., mother Elizabeth, born Margaret Roothing and elder brother George born Roxwell.

Date of Death: 5th March 1923

Age: 34

Where died: Blackmore

Place of Burial or Commemoration: Buried Blackmore Churchyard, his epitaph reads: "In fond memory of Jacob Wiltshire. Late 10th Essex. Died March 5 1923 from a wound received in France Feb 1917. Aged 34"

List of Sources: Essex Record Office, Ian Hook: Keeper of Essex Regiment Museum, Free BMD.

Blackmore. The Woollard Family Remembered: Joy, and father James. On This Day In History 8 November 1943

Joy Kathleen Woollard served during the Second World War and died. She has a Commonwealth War Grave in the family plot in the churchyard of St Laurence, Blackmore.

Joy Kathleen Woollard

War Memorial: Place and inscription -

Rank: Aircraftwoman

Regiment: 1st Class Women's Auxiliary Air Force.  Service No: 449799.  [CWGC]

Service Details: -

Personal and family information: Daughter of James Robert and Ethel Louisa Woollard, of Blackmore. [CWGC] Joy Kathleen Woollard was baptised on 8th September 1922 at Blackmore. Her father’s occupation was given as “Flight Sergeant”.  James Woollard served in the Royal Air Force following the First World War.  [ERO D/P 266/1/11] Family: James R Woollard. Born 4.4.1894.  Occupation: News Paper. Garage Dealer. Ethel L Woollard. Born 31.8.1896. Occupation: Shop Assistant. News General. Mabel L Woollard. Born 13.1.1921.  Occupation: Shop Assistant Kathleen Joy Woollard. Born 27.7.1922.  Occupation: Shop Assistant [1939 census] Joy Kathleen Woolard (one 'l' in burial register) was buried in Blackmore churchyard on 14 November 1943, age 21. She was buried in the grave of her sister Ethel Lillian Woollard, of Blackmore, who died 21st September 1923 (buried 27th September 1923), age 4.   Her father, James Robert Woollard (known also as Jim) - a survivor of the Great War - age 67, of Blackmore Cottage, was buried in the same grave on 26th July 1962 (having died on 19th July 1962).  Her mother, Ethel Louisa Woollard, died on 30th August 1972.  Although commemorated on the family grave there is no entry in the Burial Register [Burial Register held in church safe]. The Death Certificate – sent by Pauline Weaver - gives Joy Kathleen Woolard’s (one 'l' in burial register) occupation as “of The Traveller Blackmore Ingatestone U.D. Spinster A.C.W.1  W.A.A.F. 449799, Daughter of James Robert Woolard, a Newsagent”.  She died of leukaemia.

Date of Death: 8th November 1943

Age: 21

Where died: Southend-on-Sea General Hospital, Essex

Place of Burial or Commemoration: St Laurence Churchyard, Blackmore

List of Sources: Church Safe with grateful acknowledgment to the Vicar and churchwardens, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Essex Record Office, Pauline Weaver, a descendant of the Woollard family.

Her father, James Robert Woollard, served and survived the First World War.

James Robert Woollard
War Memorial: Place and inscription Blackmore War Memorial. Listed as survivor: Ft Sgt  J Woollard DSM
Rank: Flight Sergeant
Regiment: Ft. Sgt. J [James Robert] Woollard DSM is listed with those who served in the RAF, though the memorial does not give his regiment, due to loss of space.
Service Details: -
Personal and family information: James Robert Wollard [Woollard] was born on 4th April 1894 [1939 Census] and baptised at St Laurence Church, Blackmore, on 23rd September 1894.  His parents were William Walter and Lavinia Hetzebiah Woollard.  [ERO 266/1/11] He is named in the Sunday School Admissions Register as “Age 23.9.1894" with surname written Wollard  The 1901 census records that James was born in Blackmore, along with 2 brothers and a sister.  Brothers George and William, both also on the Memorial, served too, though not in the RAF. 1920 & 1922 Electoral Roll: Recorded residence is in Brentwood Road but is an “Absent voter” [ERO C/E 2/1/3 & ERO C/E 2/1/5]. A daughter, Mabel Constance Woollard, was baptised at Blackmore on 13th March 1921 (born 13th January 1921).  James’ profession is described as ‘Airman’. When Joy Kathleen Woollard (born 27th July 1922) was baptised on 8th September 1922 his profession is given as ‘Flight Sergeant’. “When he came out of the RAF he and his wife had a bungalow built not far from the pump [in Brentwood Road, now Blackmore Road]. Next to it he opened a shop and garage”.  [Coller] Kelly’s Directory 1937: Newsagent, Petrol filling station & motor engineer.   In 1939 James’ profession is recorded as ‘News Paper Garage Dealer’. He is assisted by his wife, Ethel, as ‘Shop Assistant News General’ and his daughters Mabel L and Kathleen Joy as ‘Shop Assistant’ [1939 census]. Pauline Weaver, whose great uncle was James wrote (28.2.2010), “Jim Woollard went on to be a local councillor hence the naming of Woollard Way”. James Robert Woollard (known also as Jim) of Blackmore Cottage, died aged 67 and was buried in the family grave in Blackmore churchyard on 26th July 1962 (having died on 19th July 1962).  His daughters, Joy Kathleen Woollard who died in the Second World War was buried on 14th November 1943. She was 21 years old.  Ethel Lillian Woollard died, age 4, on 21st September 1923 (buried 27th September 1923).  James’ widow, Ethel Louisa Woollard, died on 30th August 1972.  Although commemorated on the family grave there is no entry in the Burial Register. [Burial Register held in church safe]. Newpaper report. Councillor J. Woollard. – A tribute to Councillor J. Woollard was paid at Tuesday’s meeting of the Rural Council by chairman Councillor E. G. Cooke.  He said Councillor Woollard had been a member for 16 years. “Our Council are very much the poorer by the passing of this sincere and conscientious gentleman. The Council will be the poorer by his passing, but I feel sure that we as individuals are richer for having had association with him.” Everyone in the council chamber stood in silence for a few moments.
Date of Death: 19th July 1962
Age: 67
Where died: Blackmore
Place of Burial or Commemoration: St Laurence Churchyard, Blackmore.
List of Sources: Church Safe with grateful acknowledgment to the Vicar and churchwardens, Essex Record Office, Pauline Weaver: great-niece of James Woollard.

Some further research has established that James Robert Woollard was a highly decorated Royal Air Force serviceman, who rose to the top rank of airman, Warrant Officer (Engineer), before demobilisation in 1935.  His medals were sold in auction in 2011. See https://www.dnw.co.uk/auction-archive/lot-archive/lot.php?department=Medals&lot_id=198490

Blackmore. Remembering Frank Monk

Commemorated on Blackmore's Poppy Trail: November 2018

Frank James Monk

War Memorial: Place and inscription Blackmore War Memorial. Listed as survivor: Corpl. J. Monk Essex

Rank: Corporal

Regiment: Essex Regiment.  3rd Battalion. Service No. 19208.

Service Details: -

Personal and family information: Frank James Monk was baptised 7th October 1894 at All Saints Church, Doddinghurst. His parents were John, a labourer, and Caroline. The family lived in Doddinghurst [ERO D/P 112/1/5]. His younger sibling, Frederick Walter, was baptised at Blackmore on 28th March 1897 which suggests a move during the intervening period [ERO D/P 266/1/11]. Frank Monk is recorded in the Sunday School ‘Scholars’ Admission Book’, age “29/8/1894” [ERO D/P 266/28]. 1901 Census: James Monk, age 6, born Doddinghurst; son of John, ag lab, and Caroline, Fingrith Hall Rd Frank James Monk (aged 24) married Priscilla Jennings, of Ongar, at Blackmore on 29th August 1918. He described his profession as “Corporal in Essex Regt.” [ERO D/P 266/1/12]. 1918 Electoral Register.  Listed as “Monk. Frank James. Fingrith Hall Road” but recorded as ‘absent’ [ERO C/E 2/1/1]. The Parish Register records the baptism of Violet Constance, daughter of Frank James and Priscilla Monk on 25th April 1920.  Frank’s profession given was ‘Labourer’. [ERO D/P 266/1/11]. Frederick James Monk (first name entered incorrectly) died in Charing Cross Hospital and was buried 9th March 1921.  He was 26 years old.  [Burial Register in Church Safe]

Date of Death: Buried 9th March 1921

Age: 26

Where died: Charing Cross Hospital, London Not recorded on Essex Regiment Museum database of fallen during Great War.

Place of Burial or Commemoration: St Laurence, Churchyard, Blackmore Pointed top headstone and footstone and kerb now badly weathered, but recorded in 1997 as: “To / the memory / of / Corporal Frank James Monk / (line unreadable) / who died from wounds received in the Great War (January) 1921 / aged (-ye)ars /”.  Footstone: “FJM / 1921 /” [ERO T/Z 151/109].  The month ‘January’ is transcribed incorrectly.

List of Sources: Church Safe with grateful acknowledgment to the Vicar and churchwardens, Essex Record Office.

Blackmore. Remembering Herbert James Brown. On This Day In History 6 November 1917

Herbert James Brown
War Memorial: Place and inscription Commemorated on the Christ Church Lee memorial in the London Borough of Lewisham.  The memorial today is at the Local History and Archives Centre, Lewisham. Church Window erected by family members inside St Laurence, Blackmore: Lt. H.J. Brown
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment: Royal Welsh Fusiliers 1st / 7th Battalion [CWGC]
Service Details: Medal cards: enrolled as Pte in 28th London Regt no. 3755, then Lt RWF.  K in A. Roll Off 43 page 7d; IV X/3064 df 5-5-n NW/5/1920. Theatre first served in MEF 2/1/1916. [Ancestry] De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour: BROWN, HERBERT JAMES Lieut. 7th (Territorial) Batt., the Royal Welsh Fusiliers elder son of Ernest James Brown of 49 Lee Terrace Blackheath SE, builder, by his wife Hattie dau. of DA Messent: b. Lewisham co Kent 14 Jan 1884; educ. Highbury House, St Leonards on Sea: was a brick manufacturer.  Joined the Old Boys Corps in September 1914, and the Artists Rifles in 1915; was gazetted 2nd lieut. in the Royal Fusiliers the following July; served with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in Egypt and Palestine from December 1915 and was killed in action at Kulweilfeh 5 Nov 1917.  Buried on the battlefield, Palestine.  His Commanding Officer wrote "we all miss him very much and field has lost very greatly; we mourn a great friend".  He was m. at Blackmore county Essex 15 Jul 1911, Grace Eveline dau. of Roland Pratt, and had a dau. Peggy Eveline b. 21 Feb 1915. By October 1917, General Allenby's force had been entrenched in front of a strong Turkish position along the Gaza-Beersheba road for some months, but they were now ready to launch an attack with Beersheba as its first objective. On 31 October, the attack was carried out by the XXth Corps (10th, 53rd, 60th and 74th Divisions) on the west, and the Desert Mounted Corps on the east. That evening the 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade charged over the Turkish trenches into the town. The cemetery was made immediately on the fall of the town, remaining in use until July 1918, by which time 139 burials had been made It was greatly increased after the Armistice when burials were brought in from a number of scattered sites and small burial grounds. The cemetery now contains 1,241 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 67 of them unidentified. [WO339 and WO374 at the National Archives] Brown’s battalion, the 1/7th, was part of the 53rd [Welsh] Division. Regimental Records of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, Vol IV by Cary and McCance. This volume is concerned with operations on Gallipoli, in Mesopotamia, Palestine, Macedonia (Salonika) and Italy. There are a number of appendices which include: the Roll of Honour for the whole Regiment, taken from Soldiers Died and Officers Died; and a comprehensive index. All in all these four volumes make up a very fine regimental history. [Regimental Records of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, by ADL Cary, S McCance and CH Dudley Ward, four volumes, 1689-1918, reprinted Naval & Military Press 2007 Hardback]
Personal and family information: Husband of Grace E. Petrie (formerly Brown), of St. Barnabas Vicarage, Sunderland. Native of Essex. [CWGC] Herbert James Brown was born in Lee in 1884 and married Grace Evelyn Pratt on 15th July 1911 at Blackmore.  Herbert Brown, then aged 27, was an Engineer from Blackheath.  His father was Ernest James Brown, a brick manufacturer.  Grace Pratt, aged 30, was a Blackmore resident.  They had one child Peggy, born 1915. In the 1911 census we find Grace Evelyn Pratt living at Hay Green Farm, Blackmore.  Her father, Rowland Richard Pratt, describes his profession as ‘Gentleman’ [ERO D/P 266/1/12].  In 1911, the Pratt family comprised: Rowland Richard Pratt. Head. Married. [Age] 62. [Occupation:] Independant [Independent]. [Born:] Narestork [Navestock], Essex Clara Rebecca Pratt.  Wife.  Married 34 years. [Age] 55. [Occupation:] At home.  [Born:] Lakely [Takely], Essex Rowland Clifford Pratt. Son. Single. [Age] 21. Working at home on farm. [Born:] Doddinghurst, Essex Grace Evelyn Pratt. Daughter. Single. [Age] 29. Working at home on farm. [Born:] Narestork [Navestock], Essex Rowland Pratt was a Churchwarden at the Parish Church in Blackmore in 1907 [HALS DSA 1/15/10 f502].  He was buried at Blackmore, 8 May 1913, aged 64. [Burial Register in Church Safe]. After Herbert’s death in 1917, Grace married Stanley Layton Petrie, the son of Walter Layton Petrie.
Date of Death: 6th November 1917
Age: 33
Where died: Killed in action, Kulweilfeh, Palestine
Place of Burial or Commemoration: Beersheba War Cemetery. [CWGC]
List of Sources: Ancestry, Church Safe with grateful acknowledgment to the Vicar and churchwardens, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour, Essex Record Office, Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies, National Archives, Regimental Records of the Royal Welch Fusiliers.