Trevor Snelling asks for our help.

If anyone is able to help Trevor with his message below please either let me know by email at John.gilham@mail.com or via the comment below. 

 

Can you help please?

I have been looking into my family history and found that a number of my ancestors worked at Jude and Hanbury and Leney breweries. This, as you can appreciate, is not out of the ordinary for menfolk living in Wateringbury. But, there is a backstory. My Name originated from Norwich, Norfolk and it appears two brothers started life out in Norwich but found their way to Wateringbury and, worked at the breweries. 

One of my ancestors (Robert Snelling), was born in Norwich, Norfolk but, on his attestation for the Royal West Kent's in 1903 he stated he was living at 9 Bow Terrace and had been for a year.  His sister (Louisa), had married a George Humphrey (Born in Teston) while George Humphrey was stationed in Norwich with the 7^th Hussars. After their marriage, they moved to Wateringbury and, 9 Bow Terrace. This was sometime between 1899 and 1901 and, how Robert came to be in Wateringbury in 1903. My Great Grandfather (George Snelling), is also recorded as living at 9 Bow terrace on the 1901 census (occupation was private in the 2nd Norfolk regiment) age 23, with George and Louisa Humphrey. George Snelling stayed in Wateringbury (marrying Phoebe Sharpe) and Bow terrace until he passed away.

The common denominator here is Louisa Humphrey giving her brothers a place to stay.

Now, George Snelling, Robert Snelling and George Humphrey all worked at some time at the two breweries. Both Georges for some time but Robert only until he started serving with the Royal West Kent's when he moved away from Wateringbury, not to come back. 

As you can see I have a few gaps that I'd like to plug. In order to fill in these gaps, I was wondering if you know of any records kept for the personnel employed at the breweries please? It would be great to see if both brothers were staying at 9 Bow Terrace at the same time. Its a very long shot I know but it would certainly help with my family history.

For info Robert went on to have a distinguished army career(he moved from the west Kents to the 7th Dragoon guards), winning the D.C.M. He is commemorated for his service with a plaque in the Cathedral at Norwich giving his name, regiment and award.  

I hope my rambling has not confused you but, I feel you needed to know at least some of the story of how my name came to Wateringbury and my efforts to piece together movements.

If there are personnel lists for the breweries, that you can point me in the direction of, it will be very much appreciated.

Many thanks and best regards

Trevor Snelling

Home Farm Wateringbury in the 1950's

 More lovely photos from Colin Brotherwood taken at Home Farm in the 1950's.

Thank's Colin for sharing the following.

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The first is of my mother Jean Brotherwood (nee Watson) holding my younger brother Stephen. He was born in late September 1956. So that gives an approximate date. Wearing a lovely spotty dress and a nice pair of shoes, she has definitely not come back to Home Farm to pick hops. 

The old Ford van was green, so my dad Lionel told me when he was alive. In the picture you can see the back gates to Wateringbury club. I imagine this is where the club had lorry deliveries of beer. As a child visiting Home Farm with mum and dad I can remember seeing loads of different coloured beer caps in the dirt where those gates are. 

  

The second photo is of myself sitting on the headlight of the same Ford van EPM654, with my mother Jean Brotherwood. That van would be worth a fortune today. Taken around 1956 -57 I would say. You can see Home Farm horse stables in the background. 

 

Home Farm Wateringbury in the 1950's

 More lovely photos from Colin Brotherwood taken at Home Farm in the 1950's.

Thank's Colin for sharing the following.

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The first image down the lane due to the newish barn in the background is probably from 1957. 

As is the Hop fields picture I think. 

Hop picking at Home farm with the Watsons is probably taken in the early 50's before I was born. 

L-R is Rodney, my mother Jean, Harold, and their mother Alice. 

My mother always told me she hated picking hops.

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From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long - Wedding Bells for Reg and Elsie

From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long, 

Kindly donated by her Niece, Irene Bedding.

Click the photo to enlarge.

From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long - Wateringbury Seniors Club - Various Photos

From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long, 

Kindly donated by her Niece, Irene Bedding.

Click the photo to enlarge.

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17th June 1971

             Doris Taylor - Helen Long                                        Mrs Fisher - Mrs Latter 

           Mrs French - Mrs Rodgers - Mrs Fisher                      Mr & Mrs Stolton - Mrs Cole      

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From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long - Wateringbury Seniors Club - Members Entertain 1985

From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long, 

Kindly donated by her Niece, Irene Bedding.

Click the photo to enlarge.

From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long - Wateringbury Seniors Club - Silver Jubilee Party 1977

From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long, 

Kindly donated by her Niece, Irene Bedding.

Click the photo to enlarge.

From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long - Wateringbury Seniors Club - Produce Show 1984

From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long, 

Kindly donated by her Niece, Irene Bedding.

Click the photo to enlarge.

From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long - Wateringbury Seniors Club - Christmas Party 1982

From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long, 

Kindly donated by her Niece, Irene Bedding.

Click the photo to enlarge.

From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long - Wateringbury Seniors Club - Christmas Party 1978

From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long, 

Kindly donated by her Niece, Irene Bedding.

Click the photo to enlarge.

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Daisy Latter in the fur hat.                                                                                   

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From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long - Wateringbury Seniors Club - Christmas Party 1977

From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long, 

Kindly donated by her Niece, Irene Bedding.

Click the photo to enlarge.

Home Farm 1950's

 Two lovely photos from Colin Brotherwood of his Grandparents taken at Home Farm in the 1950's.

Thank's Colin for sharing the following.

Here is my first photo. It is of my Grandfather, Arthur Watson when his family lived at Home farm. He was I believe a wagoner and looked after the horses. Here he is with two horses named Prince and Dimple. date wise probably mid to early 50's.

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Here is my Grandmother Alice Watson, with the same 2 horses Prince and Dimple at Home Farm from the 50's

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Annual visit to Wateringbury

 Hi John,

It's been a while since I communicated with you - too long!

I visited Wateringbury last week and after parking in the church lay-by went for my usual walk: down Mill Lane past Mill Lane House where I lived until December 1959, down to the pond (into which my sister fell and was pulled out soaked and covered in weeds), passed the Mill in which we were specifically told not to play - but did anyway (naturally) then turned left into the yard passing what was my Dad's office on the left and then climbed Love Lane, with the gushing stream coming down from the left bank as it always has, then up to the main road. Then turned right towards the village.  Incredibly, I passed by a Pillbox which I'd never seen before but must have been there all the time I walked back and forth to school!  I assume it was completely overgrown until recently. Then to the crossroads and left up Red Hill and stopped at the top opposite where my school used to be. I crossed over and found the outline of the school lay-by now filled in.  Then down Red Hill to the crossroads (there used to be a double trap-door in the pavement that led down into the basement of "Where Memories Meet" (only it wasn't called that then). Then right at the crossroads and forward to the Church and on my way trying to see over the long wall on the right hand side.  I couldn't when I was 5 and still can't now!  The church was open and I paused for a while therein.  I can still remember being asked to read the lesson one day in front of the whole school: a terrifying experience.  

I return every year or when I'm passing by.  I have so many happy memories of growing up in Wateringbury - precious memories I'm trying to retain.       

 

Thanks and a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 

Nick Bond        

From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long - Wateringbury Seniors Club

 A Letter from The Queen Mother

From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long, Kindly donated by her Niece, Irene Bedding

From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long - Wateringbury Seniors Club - Wateringbury Club Fair - 1981

 

From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long, Kindly donated by her Niece, Irene Bedding

From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long

Wateringbury Seniors Club

Long Service Award

17th April 1980

From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long, Kindly donated by her Niece, Irene Bedding

From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long - Wateringbury Seniors Club - Christmas Party 1960

 

From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long, Kindly donated by her Niece, Irene Bedding

From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long - Vicar John Henderson says farewell after 15 years in the village - August 1978

Vicar John Henderson says farewell after 15 years in the village - August 1978

 

From the Scrapbook Collection of Helen Long, Kindly donated by her Niece, Irene Bedding