From the Dover Express and East Kent News. 9 August, 1963.

Half Century Behind The Same Bar.

A TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY, this week, for Mr. and Mrs. Percy Parks, of the George and Dragon public house at Temple Ewell. They celebrated their fifty-eighth wedding anniversary on Wednesday, their fifty-eighth year in the licensed trade, and their half century behind the same bar.

"And we hope we've got the same cheerful smile for our customers as we had when we first started," says Mrs. Mabel Parks.

Both Dovorians, they were wed at St. Bartholomew's Church, and, the same day, took over as host and hostess at the Hope Inn, Lydden.

They remained there for four years, and moved to the old Globe, in Peter Street, for another four years.

After that they transferred to the "George and Dragon" .... and have been there ever since.

Four of their seven children are still living, and they have nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. One son, Percy, keeps the butcher's shop just across the road. A daughter. Mrs. Doris Keeler, lives at Church Hill, nearby, and another daughter, Mrs. Mabel Roberts, is at Swingfield.

"They are all very good and take it in turns to come and help us behind the bar," says Mrs. Parks.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 4 February, 1870.

A CHILD BURNT TO DEATH

An Inquest was held at the "George and Dragon" public-house, Ewell, near Dover, yesterday morning, before the County Coroner, T. T. Delasaux, Esq., on the body of a female child named Ann Elizabeth Friend, aged 4 years, who was burnt to death by falling over a fire guard into the fire.

Elizabeth Gambrill, the wife of John Gambrill, of the parish of Ewell deposed: My husband is a labouring man, and we live next door to the father of the deceased. On Tuesday morning last, about 11 o'clock, I heard screams proceeding from Mr. Friend's house. In consequence, I went in, and found the deceased sitting on the floor with her clothes in flames. I took a mat from the room and extinguished the flames. When I went in another child was sitting on the floor, beside the deceased. I also saw the child about six or seven years of age run from the house, towards where the mother was at work about the time I heard the screams. When I went in, I do not know whether the fire-guard was up, but it was there. The deceased child died from the injuries of the burns, which had extended over the greater part of the body, yesterday about eight o'clock.

By the foreman, Mr. Dombrain: I heard the screaming before the child was out of the house.

Alice Friend deposed: I am the wife of William Friend, a labourer, of Ewell. The deceased was my child, and was aged four years and three months. I went out to wash on Tuesday morning last, at Mrs. Goldsack's. Her house is not far from my own. I went there about six o'clock in the morning, leaving the deceased and two other children in bed upstairs. I went home again about nine, to see to them, and found them all up and dressed. I left them in the care of the little girl now present, who is between six and seven years of age. I have been in the habit of doing so for some time, leaving home early in the morning, and going occasionally to attend to the children myself. I remained at home nearly half an hour, when I went home that morning. When I went away the fire-guard was up, and there was a fender inside the guard. The guard was before the fire, but not hooked. It did not quite fit the fire-place. I was called by this child. When I went home Mrs. Gambrill was just coming out of the door. When I returned the guard was just where I had left it. The deceased told me she fell over the guard, but how she got out without moving it I don't know.

The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the child was accidentally burnt to death.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 2 June, 1876. Price 1d.

DESERTION

Walter Nicholls and Stephen Ryan were charged with being deserters from the 24th Regiment, stationed at Dover.

Instructing-constable Jessop said he saw the prisoners in the “George and Dragon” public house at Ewell that morning at seven o’clock. He asked them if they were on pass. They said “Yes.” Nicholls produced a pass which expired at 12 o’clock midnight, on

Sunday. Ryan had no pass.

Prisoners were ordered to be sent back to their quarters.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 13 July, 1877.

SHOCKING ACCIDENT NEAR KEARSNEY

An inquest was held at the “George and Dragon Inn,” Ewell, on Monday afternoon, before F. J. Till, Esq., on the body of Mr. Green, whose body was found on the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway line early in the morning.

The gentleman with whom deceased was staying in Dover said: I am a barrister-at-law. I identify the body as that of Mr. Green. He had no fixed residence. He was unmarried, and his age was 43. I last saw him alive yesterday evening in Dover. I asked him where he was going, and he said he was going for a walk over the hills in the direction of Fort Burgoyne. This was a little after six. He seemed in his usual health and spirits. He had no pecuniary difficulties of the sort.

By the Jury: He was not a relation of mine.

Mr. Alfred Stanley said: I am a miller, living at Ewell. I saw deceased walking about in the road last night at about a quarter to nine. He stood looking at the road leading to the school for some time, and then went on towards the church. I noticed nothing strange in his manner. He stood looking about as a stranger would.

By a Juror: He was certainly not intoxicated.

William Allen said: I am a waggoner in the employ of Mr. J. G. Churchward, of Kearsney Manor. This morning I was walking along the line to go to work. I go that way to see if the horses are in the meadow by the lower side of the line. I happened to look over the bank on the lower side of the line, and saw something on the line. I went a little way back to a place where I could get on the line. I then saw the body of a man. The head was separated from the body. I went and called a man named Page who is employed on the line, and told him what I had found. It appeared to me that the train had passed over deceased’s neck. There was a little blood on the rail.

Mr. William George said: I am in inspector of permanent way in the service of the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway. The down trains between nine last evening and a quarter-to-four this morning are one from London reaching Kearsney at 9.43 (a slow train) and the express, which passes at about 10.10. I went to the place where deceased was killed this morning. The body was lying in the 6ft. way, and the head was about six feet nearer Dover, in the 4ft. way. It was evident that he was coming towards Dover; his feet were towards London and his head towards Dover. The nearest signal-box is about 600 yards off on the Dover side; it is not in view of the spot. In the 6ft. way there is a well-trodden path in the middle. He might have slipped without there being any mark on the gravel.

Mr. Exell, Divisional Inspector, said no report of any accident had been made by the engine drivers.

Dr. Alfred Grandison said: I reside in Dover. This morning, about twelve o’clock, I saw the body of the deceased in the shed at the back of this inn where it now lies. The head was completely severed from the body. Death must have been instantaneous. In addition to the head being clean cut off, the back part of the skull was smashed in, as if it had been struck but the axle-tree of the train. There were no other marks on the body.

By a Juror: I have not attended the deceased. I never saw him before.

Henry Page said: I am a platelayer in the employment of the London, Chathan, and Dover railway Company. This morning, a little before four, I was called by Allen. In consequence of what he told me I went then to the village and called David Brown, one of my mates. I went down the line, and saw the body of deceased lying in the 6ft. way; the head was lying in the 4ft. way. The feet lay towards Canterbury. The collar of the clothes were black, as if something had touched them. I assisted the Police-constable to take the body to where it now lies. I live about twenty rods from where the body was found. I was not out after twelve o’clock yesterday morning. At half-past nine in the evening I was in bed I heard no cry or anything of the sort.

Police-constable Thomas Ray, stationed at Ewell, said: At half=-past five this morning I received information that a man had been run over. I proceeded to the spot, and found the body as described by previous witnesses, and removed it to this place. I found in the pocket 20s. in silver, £8 in gold, and 4½d. in copper, a gold chain, which was broken, and a silver watch, which was still going, a pocket book, two receipts, a cigar case, a letter in German. I happen to know German, and the letter refers to having some graves attended to.

The Coroner summed up, pointing out that there was no evidence whatever of suicide, and the Jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death.”

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 27 July, 1877. Price 1d.

DESERTION

Two soldiers named Bartlett and Hardy, belonging to the 61st Regiment, were brought before the Magistrates charged with desertion. The prisoners were apprehended on Tuesday at the "George and Dragon" public-house, Ewell, by Instructing-constable Jessup, and brought to the Dover Police-station. The prisoner Bartlett was most violent in his conduct and struck the constable with his belt, and also attempted to bite his nose. he also struck him when at the Police-station. They were ordered to be taken back to their regiment.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 26 December, 1902.

GREAT FIRE AT EWELL – WOMAN BURNT TO DEATH

Above photo date unknown, probably after 1904, showing the butchers shop opposite the "George and Dragon."

Shortly after midnight this morning a terrible fire broke out at the butcher’s shop of Mr. Marshall, Temple Ewell, at the corner of Ewell Street and the main road, opposite the “George and Dragon.”

The family, consisting of Mr. George Marshall – an elderly widower – his step-daughter, Miss Mary Elizabeth Johncock, aged about 50 years, and a younger daughter, had retired to rest.

The fire broke out in the following way: Suddenly Mr. Marshall heard an explosion in his step-daughter’s bedroom. He called out, “What is that?” and the woman replied, “The lamp has exploded.”

Mr. Marshall at once rushed to her room, which is over the shop, and found her a mass of flames. He got an overcoat and attempted to throw it round her. He made several brave attempts to rescue the woman, who was frantic with fear. She persisted in trying to get to the window, while Mr. Marshall tried to carry her down the stairs – the only way of escape. Both being extremely corpulent in build, Mr. Marshall, who is also aged, was unable to get her out. The room was in a mass of flames, and he was driven back with his hair burnt off.

The room was now burning like a furnace. The alarm was quickly raised in the village, and a telephone message was at once sent to Dover for the fire engine. The message was received at 12.35 and the engine was promptly dispatched, under the charge of Inspector Nash, Sergeant Cadman, Police-constable Dunford, and Fireman Newman.

In the meantime the father, Mr. G. Marshall, and the girl had got out, but nothing more was seen of his stepdaughter. The neighbours set to work and got all the meat out of the shop and saved the furniture in the lower rooms. When the fire engine arrived, shortly after one o’clock, the whole of the top of the building was a mass of flames. Water was first obtained from a tank in Mr. Hambrook’s, Street Farm, but it was quickly pumped dry. The engine was then taken down by the river by Mr. Stanley’s Mill, but little could be done in saving anything. The gas pipes had melted, and great flares of lighted gas kept the fireman back. It was necessary to open out the road and plus these.

The only portion of the building not on fire was the slaughter-house, and water was continually poured on this, and the fire prevented from getting hold of it.

The efforts of the firemen prevented the flames spreading, and all danger was over before three o’clock.

It was not until four o’clock that the body of the unfortunate woman was recovered. It had been burnt to a cinder, and only the trunk and the upper parts of the body were found. The body was in such a terrible condition that to preserve it, it had to be placed in a tub.

The whole of the property and furniture is insured.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 2 January, 1903.

THE FATAL FIRE AT EWELL – A QUESTION OF OIL

The inquest on Mary Elizabeth Johncock, who was burnt to death at the fire at Mr. Marshall’s, Temple Ewell, on December 24, was held on Boxing Day afternoon at the “George and Dragon” public house, Temple Ewell, but the County Coroner (R. M. Mercer, Esq.). The Jury were as follows: A. Stanley, (foreman), F. Knocker, G. Hollands, O. Golder, E. Horton, G. Jarrett, H. Page, G. Hobday, R. Sharp, L. Hambrook, W. H. Smith, T. Bryson, and F. Paynton.

Mr. H. J. Jacobs appeared to represent Mr. Rawlings, of the Washington Fruit Stores, who sold the oil which was in the exploded lamp.

George John Marshall said: I reside and carry on business at Ewell as a butcher. The deceased, who is my step-daughter, lived with me. Her name is Mary Elizabeth Johncock. At a quarter to 12 on Tuesday night I was in bed sitting up, when I heard something explode. I said, “Polly, what is that?” She replied, “The lamp has burst,” all so quiet, so calm, that you would not think there was anything wrong about it at all. She was in her bedroom adjoining mine, there being only a thin partition. She then said, “Call Rosie.” I did so, and Rosie went, and called out “Oh, daddy, come; she is on fire.” I got out of bed, and taking my great coat, tried to put it round her. She was standing near the door of her room. Her night-dress, which was of flannelette, was all on fire.

The Coroner: The importance of that is that flannelette is one of the most inflammable materials that exist.

Witness, continuing, said: I tried to get her out, but owing to the door being very narrow we could not get by, or else I could have pushed her out. I began to catch fire myself, my night short and the hair on back part of my head, and I could not get by breath owing to the smoke. Suddenly I heard her drop, and after that heard nothing more of her. It was all done in five minutes, and when I had to go away the place was all on fire, burning like a furnace. Our oil is usually bought from a man at River named Hayes. My daughter, who is dead, usually bought it. Half a gallon was bought at a time, and kept in a stone bottle, and the remainder is still in an outhouse. I cannot say what sort of lamp it was she kept in her bedroom. I could not see any lamp when I went into her room. I could not get by her to see anything. She had the lamp to air the room. Her age was 42.

By Mr. Jacobs: My daughter-in-law suffered from fits, and had one on Sunday.

Rose Johncock, a daughter of the deceased, said: The lamp has been in the house for some eight or nine years, and was a double burner with an earthenware oil receptacle. It was in good repair, and would cost 12/- or 15/- to buy. I sometimes bought oil from a man named Hayes of River, and paid 4d or 4½d. a gallon. There had never been an explosion previously with the lamp. When I went into the room I did not see the lamp. Earlier in the evening I saw it alight on the chest of drawers at the foot of the bed – that was about half-past nine. We all went to bed at half-past ten. I slept on the same floor a little distance away. I was asleep when I was called. When I got into the room I saw the flames were all over her, and running over the place, apparently from the oil. The valance of the bed was also alight. The deceased was standing just inside the door, and I could not get by her. I cannot say why she did not come out. I picked up a cloth and rubbed it down her to put the flames out.

Do you think she knew what was happening?

Yes, she said, “I’m burning.” I do not know why she remained there in the midst of the flames. Perhaps it was the shock. She was very heavy. I did not try to pull her out as daddy came with a coat.

Witness stated that she was not aware of any regulation that petroleum of a certain kind must be kept in separate half pints.

In reply to the Coroner, Police-sergeant Crowe stated that no remains of the lamp could be found.

In reply to questions by Mr. Jacobs, the witness said that she had seen her mother clean the lamp out, but not very lately.

In reply to the Coroner, witness said that on one occasion the oil was purchased from another person, but not by witness.

Charles Hayes said that he lived at River, he was a licensed hawker and oil dealer. He supplied oil to the deceased’s house, but not for four weeks. They had half a gallon for 4½d., and the oil was Royal Daylight, and its flask-point was 130 degrees. This was marked on the casks when witness purchased it in that form. Tea Rose was 73. He purchased the oil from Mr. Bushell.

The Coroner: What has James Rawley to do with this?

Police-sergeant Stone: He is manager of the firm who sold the last lot of oil to the deceased’s house.

Witness said that he usually supplied half a gallon of oil every fortnight to the deceased. Last Friday week there was a man in the village selling oil at 6½d. a gallon, and when witness went to the house, they said they had got the oil from him. He had seen the oil which was in the jar, and as soon as he smelt it he knew that it was not the oil he sold. The various kinds of oil had distinctive smells.

William Horace Lyon, 8, St. John Road, a hawker in the employ of Mr. Rawley, of the Washington Stores, said that on the 12th of December he supplied a gallon of oil to the deceased’s house. The price was 3½d, or 6½d. for a gallon. It was Rock Light oil, and its flash point was 80 degrees. It was supplied by Mr. Mills, of Dover. He was told its flash point was 80 degrees by the manager. He asked the question out of curiosity. He did not know what flash point meant. If he had been told it was 60 or 70 he would not have known anything more. He asked the question out of curiosity. He supposed that at 80 or 100 it was not so likely to explode.

The Coroner: That is rather peculiar. Do you not know that it would require heating up to that temperature before giving off an explosive vapour? Did you understand that?

Witness: No I didn’t.

Witness further stated that he had sold hundreds of gallons since he started on December 4th.

The Coroner: Did you make the enquiry about the flash point because you were told that Rock Light was a particularly dangerous oil?

Witness: No, I did not know it was Rock Light until just now.

The Coroner: Have you been given any caution as to the oil – not to allow a light close to it?

Witness: No.

Witness said that no regulation had been shown him as to its sale.

The Coroner: How many times have you been in Ewell?

Witness: Once.

Police-sergeant Crowe stated that he found the body. He had since made a thorough search, and found an ankle bone, which he had placed with the body in the tub. He had not been able to get a copy of the petroleum regulations.

Chief Constable Knott, who had been directed to attend as a witness, said he was not the Inspector of petroleum, but of gunpowder and explosives. Mr. Stilgoe, the Borough Engineer, was the Inspector for petroleum. He had been informed at the Town Clerk’s office that Mr. Rawley never had a license, and had never applied for one.

The Coroner: Well, this is not the place to deal with that. Why is Mr. Rawley not here?

Witness: It was stated that he was indisposed, suffering from a heavy cold, and his wife had also undergone an operation.

Arthur Langley, 16, Townwall Street, said that he kept Mr. Rawley’s books. All he knew was that Mr. Rawley had paid £2 2s. for a license.

William Dray, of Liverpool Street, Dover, an agent for oil, &c., said he supplied the oil to Mr. Rawley. A certificate was supplied with it that its flash point was 80 to 120 degrees. He explained that lamps were liable to explode when not full and the wick not large enough. He had heard of the best oil exploding under these conditions. The lamp should also be cleaned out, as there was a residual left which was really the dangerous part.

The Coroner, in summing up, said that the case was a simple one from the point of view of the Jury, but the enquiry, owing to the Police not getting the necessary evidence, was not so complete as he should have liked. Where oil is sold with the flash point under 73 degrees it had to be kept in a certain prescribed method. There were also certain regulations as to the sale of petroleum, and he ought to have had a copy produced there. He would draw their attention to the dangerous nature of flannelette, and mentioned that a substance of similar nature was sold which would resist fire perfectly.

The Jury returned a verdict of “Accidentally burnt to death,” and expressed their opinion that the oil should be tested before any more was sold.

The Coroner: I do not think there will be much more sold in Ewell for a few weeks.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 16 September, 1904. Price 1d.

IMPROVING THE GEORGE AND DRAGON

An application was made for the approval of plans of alterations to the “George and Dragon,” Ewell, on behalf of the brewers, Messrs. G. Beer and Co. Mr. Duthoit, of Messrs. Jennins and Dutholt, produced the plans, which showed that the building was to be pulled down and re-erected 15ft back from the road.

Superintendent Holland said that he considered it would effect a great improvement, and the plans were approved.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 16 June, 1905. Price 1d.

NEW GEORGE AND DRAGON AT EWELL

Application was made of behalf of Mrs. Stretten to use the new premises erected for the "George and Dragon," Temple Ewell, provisional sanction to plans having been given last November.

Mr. Duthoit said that the building was complete, and the fittings would be finished in a week's time. The plans had been carried out without alteration.

The application was granted.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 20 August, 1926. Price 1½d.

TRAGEDY AT TEMPLE EWELL

POSTMAN’S BODY FOUND IN WOODS

On Tuesday morning a party of Wolf Cubs who were encamped at Temple Ewell, came across the skeleton of a man in the Beech Wood, between Creek Lane and Singledge Lane. They at once told their Cub Mistress, Miss Skey, who notified the Police, and the body was removed. Later it was identified as that of Henry Francis McKeen, a postman of Temple Ewell, who had been missing since June 30th.

The inquest was held at the “George and Dragon,” Temple Ewell, on Wednesday afternoon, by the East Kent Coroner (Mr. Rutley Mowll) assisted by a Jury.

The Jury was as follows:- James Freeman (foreman), P. A. Parkes, F. Austen, D. Saunders, H. J. Parker, H. G. Tyler, D. W. Johncock, C. W. Johncock and A. Reynolds.

Henry Kettle, Uphill, near Folkestone, said: I am a farmer. I have seen the body and identified it as that of Henry Francis McKeen. He married my first cousin. His age was 41, and he was a postman of Temple Ewell, he had been missing since June 30th. I identified the body by reason of a certain deformity of the left wrist which is well known to me. It is a kind of twist back of the wrist, and I have no doubt it is the man. I was told of his relatives that when he disappeared he was wearing a pair of canvas slippers with red soles. I noticed one was on the body.

Edward Arthur McKeen, 38, Council House Street, Dover, said: I am a seaman, but am at present employed as a ganger at the West Blockyard. The deceased was my late brother’s son. I saw him the night he was reported missing. He came to my house at six o’clock on the Tuesday evening, 29th June, staying till 7.45 p.m. Whilst there he wrote a letter card. I lent him the pencil to do it with, but I knew nothing of the purport of the letter. He asked me to spell “hypocrisy” for him. His ways seemed very strange at the time. He seemed miles away. He seemed as if he wanted to say something, but did not tell me the trouble. My wife and friend both cleared out of the room to allow him to do it. When he left me he went to the pillar box by the “Lord Warden” to post the card.

Mrs. Jessie Harriet McKeen said: I live at Glenmore, Temple Ewell, and I am the wife of the deceased. I was away on the 29th, and when I came home on June 30th I could not find my husband, so I looked round and in the drawer in his bedroom I found the communication (produced) in his handwriting.

The Coroner, after the witness had retired, said the letter referred to was: “Oh my dear, I cannot stand the disgrace. Goodbye. My very best love to you both. Mac.”

Miss Margaret Skey said: About ten o’clock on Tuesday morning I was in charge of some Wolf Cubs encamped in the woods consisting of beeches at Temple Ewell. My attention was called by one of the boys to something and on going to see, I saw what it was and immediately reported the matter to the Police.

Mr. Mowll: I take it nothing was touched?

Only that the boys ran ahead in the thicket and said they had found a skeleton and one of them touched it and the skull fell off.

P.Sgt. Fry said he would like to express his praise of the assistance rendered to him by Miss Skey’s two brothers in the removal of the body, which was a difficult performance. They assisted him down the hill until he got on the hard road.

P.Sgt. Fry said: At 11.20 a.m. on Tuesday I received a telephone message from the Dover Borough Police, in consequence of which I went to the Beech Wood at Temple Ewell, where I saw the last witness. Following her direction I went to a cluster of thick undergrowth where I saw the body of a man, fully clothed and in an advanced state of decomposition. The body was lying upon its back in a hunched up position with the legs double under it, and lying immediately beneath a small tree. The head was detached from the trunk. It was devoid of flesh, but lying in line with the shoulders. The body was dressed in a blue suit and had on canvas slippers with red rubber soles. A grey cap was lying by the skull. The left hand was deformed. Around a protruding portion of the vertebrae was a piece of cord tied in a noose and suspended from a small branch immediately above the body was the other piece of cord. It was securely tied, and I had to cut it away with a knife. I brought the body to the mortuary where it now lies, and on searching the clothing, found no property or documents. I then noticed the description of clothing etc., and the deformity coincided with that circulated at the time that deceased was reported missing.

The Coroner said he would like to see the report that was circulated.

P.Sgt. Fry said that he had not a copy with him, but it was sent throughout the county.

The Coroner: Mr. McKeen spoke of a letter written by deceased. Were you able to find out to whom it was written?

No sir, it was not round here.

The Coroner: Do you know Mr. McKeen?

No I don’t, but I think he posted it at the pillar box near the “Lord Warden.”

The Coroner asked what opinion witness formed from the legs being under the body.

P.Sgt. Fry said that it gave him the impression that the position was formed from rigor mortis set in. From the position of the body and the branch, he should say that the weight of a man’s body suspended would weigh the branch down and cause the legs to be doubled up.

The Coroner said that there were representatives there from the Post Office, and whilst he did not want to go into too much detail, he did not think they could shut their eyes to the motive in this case. He would like to hear Mr. Hicks.

Alfred Charles Hicks, assistant Superintendent at the Post Office, Dover, said that the deceased was under his jurisdiction at the time.

The Coroner: He says he couldn’t stand the disgrace. Was it anything to do with Post office work?

I have reason to believe it was.

The Coroner: In trouble?

He was suspended from duty that afternoon, June 29th, about 3.45 to 4 p.m.

The Coroner (to the Jury): Do you want to hear any more as to why he was suspended and that sort of thing? I only called evidence to show motive. I don’t think it necessary to go into detail.

Dr. Adamson said: I saw the body at half-past two yesterday, and concur with the evidence as to its condition. The noose was as thought it might have been round the neck. I formed the opinion that the probably cause of death was strangulation by hanging.

The Coroner said it was a sad case.

The verdict of “Suicide during temporary insanity” was returned.

Mr. Lewis, the Postmaster, said he wished on behalf of the staff, to express their sympathy with the relatives.