From the Folkestone Chronicle 8 December 1855. Transcribed by Jan Pedersen.

The Folkestone Laundry having been converted into a public house, called the Alma Tavern, is to be fitted up with a shooting gallery, bowl and quoit grounds. &c., and will no doubt prove very attractive, being a half way house to the camp.

From the Folkestone Chronicle 17 May 1856. Transcribed by Jan Pedersen.

Monday May 12th : - Before James Tolputt esq., Samuel Mackie esq., William Major esq., and Gilbert Kennicott esq.

August Whichler was charged with cutting and wounding Henry Ducroo of the British German Legion.

Charles Ovenden, police constable – On Saturday night last about 9 or a little after, I went to the "Alma" beer house in Cheriton Road. The landlord said he had a man locked up. The picket came up. I saw that a man had been wounded. I afterwards saw him go home. I afterwards saw the prisoner at the "Alma". This might be half past 10 when I saw him. I searched him and found a knife in his pocket, and I saw some blood on the knife. I told him I should take him to the picket. I told him but he escaped.

Richard Boorn deposed – I keep the "Alma". A man who was stabbed and another cavalry soldier of the legion came into my house the "Alma". The man who was stabbed was very tipsy, and his comrade seemed ill. Afterwards the prisoner came in and they began talking. The man who was stabbed and the prisoner had a scuffle. The prisoner ran out of the room and the other man followed him. Afterwards the prisoner was found downstairs in a cupboard. I think the prisoner is the man. The stabbing was not discovered till an hour and a half afterwards. The man who was stabbed was in bed when it was discovered. I never heard of it until the policeman came. I did not see the stabbing.

Henry Ducroo deposed – I belong to the German Legion. I was near the railway at a public house last Saturday. The prisoner came in afterwards as I was sitting with a comrade. I was talking to another man and the prisoner came in and said somebody was his wife. I said she was not my wife. I told the prisoner not to pick up a row in the house or I should let him know he had no business. Prisoner went back a few paces and then came at me and struck me near the shoulder. I did not see that he had a knife in his hand or I did not know then that I was stabbed. Prisoner then ran away down in the cellar and I followed him. There was no light in the room. I sat in a corner. There were several more people there. I found out 5 minutes afterwards that I was stabbed. No-one else had struck me but him. Prisoner was not drunk. I afterwards went upstairs to bed. I had drunk a little too much but I knew what I was doing. There was some disturbance about the wife. It was a long room but there was no light in the corner where I was. Prisoner wore a moustache and small beard at the time, he has not now.

Remanded until Thursday May 15th and was then committed for trial at the next Kent Assizes.

From the Folkestone Chronicle 24 December, 1864. Transcribed by Jan Pedersen.

BOYS BIRCHED

Monday December 19th:- Before G. Kennicott and J. Tolputt, Esqs.

James Memphis, aged 15, and Henry Memphis, aged 13, brothers, were brought up in custody charged with stealing, on the 22nd instant, a glass case containing wax flowers, a vest, a portrait, and a surgical instrument, of the value of half a crown, from the dwelling house of Richard Coleman, late the "Alma Tavern" in the Cheriton Road. The prisoners were tried under the Juvenile Offenders Act, and being convicted were sentenced, the oldest to two months' imprisonment with hard labour, and the other to 1 month's imprisonment with hard labour; each to be privately whipped with a birch rod, and to receive 12 strokes.