V.E. Day Braintree 1945

Outside the Town Hall (Chelmsford Chronicle)

Since September 1939 the people of Braintree and Bocking had endured almost seven years of Blackout darkness and now, on Tuesday 8^th May 1945 as Victory in Europe Day was celebrated, they intended to rejoice in the light, filled with hope for a better future.

The town had seen a great many changes since 1939.  War production had once again employed many women in the foundries, Crittalls and Lake & Elliott producing Bailey Bridges and vehicle Jacks for army use.  Vast numbers of foreign servicemen came through the town and during 1942 there were many air bases filled, with US servicemen both black and white, erected close to the town. 

Having entertained many soldiers in the ‘Last Lot’ the town was well able to cope with an influx of newcomers.  Such men were soon welcomed in all the tea rooms, pubs, dance halls and houses in the area.  It is very tempting to make VE Day a ‘British’ celebration but the presence of so many allied servicemen in the town on this day indicates how many nations were enlisted to win this ‘world war.’

As expected, the war was to bring damage to the town and lives were to be lost.  Over 90 men and one woman were to die in service.  Two major bomb incidents and several smaller ones plus one visit from a ‘Doodlebug,’ the ‘V1’ flying rocket, led to loss of life and damage to property.  Passing German aircraft patrolling the region would also machine gun and bomb individual targets.  Also

many airmen flying from the local air bases lodged with families in the town, these were often mourned as family with information as to their loss often scarce.

While all rejoiced on VE Day others were conscious of the ongoing war in the Far East.  Men from this town had been participating in action there.  Many men, possibly from this region, were struggling to survive in Japanese Prison of War camps, suffering torment and disease.

Victory in Europe, V.E. Day, was therefore welcomed by all but there would be few who would remain unchanged by the previous seven long years.

V.E. Day Celebration

Tuesday evening May 8^th saw Braintree Market Square awash with light.  The ‘Blackout’ darkness had gone.  No more rushing to close the curtains, no more Wardens rapping on the door crying “Put that light out!” Tonight, the shops, houses, churches and public houses lit up all their lamps and the Market Place itself was lit by three ‘one thousand candle-power electric lamps’ for the occasion.  Such brightness at night must have been ‘illuminating’ for many townspeople.  Flags flew from the masts at Crittalls foundry as they did all over the town, bunting and flags were everywhere. 

A service of thanksgiving was held at St Michaels at night, at such times people wish to say thanks to someone even if they are not true believers.  The churches responded; they too had lost men during this conflict.

That evening there was no band available to play for the crowds instead, from the Town Hall balcony, gramophone music was played to the girls dancing below with the sailors, soldiers and airmen of many nations.  ‘Coloured lights’ and ‘bombs’ were fired, crammed public houses with extended licences strove to satisfy the crowds and ‘hilarity’ was all around as celebrations continued well into Wednesday morning.

By one o’clock that morning, one soldier made to show the people what he was made off by climbing on the lantern in the fountain and beginning a strip tease act.  This did not reach completion however as he, not unexpectedly, fell into the crowd below.  The night ended following this with a ‘water battle’ making use of the plentiful supply in the fountain.  The crowds then dispersed and ‘no harm was done,’ claimed the Essex Newsman of May 11^th 1945.

Next morning, at the Wednesday Market Day, only two stalls were to be seen although ‘Balls & Balls’ held their ‘Fat Stock market’ just the same.

Victory Parade

On Sunday afternoon servicemen paraded through the town to the Market Square.  Some 500 American Soldiers, similar numbers of US airmen from the nearby bases, and a female contingent from the American Hospital joined men from the RAF to parade.  Joining the uniformed services were Braintree’s Home Guard under Captain H. Smith making their final appearance.  Also on parade were the Police under Superintendent Phillibrown, High School Cadets (Captain A.M. Dell), Braintree Sea Cadets (Commander A.H. Freeman), Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Girls Corps, N.F.S and Civil Defence units as they marched around the town to the Market Square.   Mr E.A. Parish marshalled the event.

When the crowds had gathered in the Market Square a service of thanksgiving was held, the vicar Rev. Hartley S. Brook officiating.  The Baptist Minister the Rev. T. Herbert Davies, who had seen his manse destroyed by the Land Mine that landed during 1941 gave the address, surprising common convention by speaking in his shirtsleeves, the day being warm.  The Dean, the Very Rev. Edgar Rogers O.B.E. gave the benediction at the finale. 

The Dean had been accidentally omitted from the order of proceedings but once allotted his spot he arrived early and dressed in his regalia joined the Town Chairman Mr Frank Dance, wearing his chain of office, and led the march along the two miles around the town at the head of the parade.  This amazed the clergy assembled on the platform, the Dean being well past his ‘allotted span.’ 

Captain Alice Howard of the American Army Hospital hoisted the Victory Flag over Braintree Church.   

Missing Town Band

There was one discordant ‘note’ in the proceedings.  At the beginning of the Great War the Towns bands had marched along playing jingoistic tunes.  In 1918 the remaining members were assembled and accompanied the marchers as they paraded around the town.  In 1945 no band was available to play; the Town Band had disappeared. 

Somewhat disgruntled with their treatment by the town the band had agreed to play at Halstead on V.E. Day, an agreement made some 6 months previously.  This did not please the towns-folks as the only band remaining were the young Sea Cadets band, a band not quite up to the marching and playing as yet. 

However, for the Sunday Victory parade Frank Dance made a late-night plea for the Town Band to appear and was under the impression a deal had been struck; yet they were again not to be seen.  This time they were playing for Saffron Walden rather than Braintree, their home town.  The grumbles filled the local media and no doubt caused mutterings amongst the band’s friends for some time.

However, no matter how annoying that may have been the locals were upset to see two B 17’s from the US air force come together over Braintree on Thursday morning May the 10th.  The craft had been flying over Germany allowing ground crew to see the results of their work over the previous few years.  How sad that while one damaged aircraft managed to land the second came down in Bocking near the Convent killing all on board.  Sad to say these were not the only men who had survived years of action then died in accidents in the weeks after the end of the war.      

The people rejoiced, the people then began to build a new nation, better housing, health and education opportunities high on the list.   Did they succeed? 

Haig, the Good Soldier

Books regarding Field Marshall the Earl Haig tend to be either all for him or all out against him, few are objective.  Gary Mead in 'The Good Soldier' claims to come at his subject from a point of view of ignorance of the man and therefore objective.  He makes a decent attempt at objectivity it must be said.  At first I thought he was going to be a faithful acolyte but by the end he is clear on the faults in the man as well as his strengths.
Douglas Haig was born on the 19th June 1861 in Charlotte Square Edinburgh.  The address alone indicating the family money!  His father John came from a family of distillers and opened a whisky distillery in Fife, then spent his life drinking much of it!  This in spite of the family being respectable Presbyterian's and his mother keen to ensure bible knowledge and prayers were part of the family life.  How this squared with the distillery is not made clear.  However Haigs religion was not that of a fervent believer.  One General remarked after an Episcopalian service that Haig preferred a service that said 'God is with you' rather than anything else.  His religious influence was deep but not evangelical.  He was devoted to his sister Henrietta all his life, something which rubbed his wife Doris up the wrong way.  Henrietta had a habit of visiting seances and telling her brother that various people, long dead, were on his side, Napoleon was one of them!  How much credence Douglas put into these 'messages' is not clear but he listened to his sister.  No Christian would accept such 'messages.'
Not the greatest intellect Douglas struggled at educating himself.  he was not a 'swot' even 'crammers' did not do much for him and he failed to make much intellectually though he did get into Oxford.  It was not Latin, Greek or maths that appealed, it was action, sports, games and horse riding.  
Cramming and swotting were required when he sought entrance into the army however.  He just made it into Sandhurst but his sheer doggedness and determination saw him end up as top student!  It was the doggedness, the steadfastness shown here that was to be reflected during his army career.  Men of high intellect often surrounded him but the man of action, who could respond to the changing situation was the one who succeeded.
Joining the 7th Hussars, a cavalry regiment with many connections to those at the top and thus influence which could aid his career was a wise move.  Similar knowledge of those he met at army colleges were also the men he later served among.
His active service started under General Kitchener in the Sudan.  Here he was recognised as a talent and later moved to South Africa for the Boer War.  His talent for organisation was later used during the army reorganisation in 1905 when Haig worked alongside those modernising the army.  Such understanding of the needs of the army was a strong point in his favour.
By steadily climbing the ranks of the army bu the Great War Douglas Haig was in command of I Corps (the army was divided into two Corps and one Cavalry Brigade) and endured the retreat from Mons, an inauspicious beginning where his life was endangered on occasion.
Gary Mead does not go into the details of the fighting during the war, he does instead concentrate on Haig at this time.  At the battle of Loos, under Sir John French, and then at the Somme where he himself was commander in chief, the British army fought battles it did not wish to fight.  Both were ordered by the French and on both occasions the British government bowed to what they considered the better army.  They were wrong.
Haig and sir John French when commander in Chief both had the choice to refuse to fight these battles as they would waste men's lives, both continued to obey orders.  Why?  Had they refused they would have been removed and another would certainly have obeyed and taken the blame, both men would have been dumped by the politicians and their careers at an end.  Both men fought the wrong battles either through loyal obedience expected from a 'Good Soldier' but both knew lives would be lost.  It must be said that while the 'Somme' is seen as a disaster more lives were lost at a higher rate at the Battle of Arras, that battle is never mentioned by anyone.    
1917 saw the Battle of 3rd Ypres, Passchendaele!  Starting well and looking on for success the rains came.  It normally rains at that time of year but on this occasion rainfall not seen in a lifetime fell.  The ground became a waste of mud full of holes and wounded men drowned there as the rain fell.  This was not a glorious episode.  There is no doubt Haig knew the conditions, understood the situation yet continued the fight.
Had the rains not arrived as they did it was likely the battle would ave been successful, the high ground taken and a possible advance towards Ostend and the submarine pens achieved.  The mud ended this yet Haig persisted.  
At the beginning of the year Haig made clear to the cabinet the way the war would probably turn out, he was right!  He expected a 'German Push' after which we could shove back at the enemy and return his home.  He knew this was likely but still planned for war into 1919.
The German attack in March that year failed to break the thin British lines.  Pushed back for miles the line held and the German attack ran out of energy.  From then on the exhausted enemy was on the run and the armistice was signed in November 1918.  Haig had won the war, however that was not how he would see it, his army, and allies had won the war, though he would be a very happy man indeed.
Throughout the war, and afterwards, Haigs greatest enemy was Lloyd George the Prime Minister.  His constant interference, his refusal to free reserves, his many attempts to remove the General, all which failed as Haig was the only man fit for the job as all Lloyd Georges men could confirm.  
After the war, Douglas Haig refused rewards until Lloyd George had guaranteed pensions for his men, off al ranks.  Only Haigs insistence on this brought that pension about.  Until his death in 1928 Haig spent his time aiding ex-servicemen, many of whom could not get work as they were disabled.
They had won the war but got little reward.
This book goes into much detail regarding the Field Marshall and I found it tedious at times.  However it gives a good honest objective insight into a strong willed man with vast army experience who obeyed the call and behaved as a 'good soldier.'  Not a charismatic leader, his stability was his strength, especially in dark times.  It is interesting to note that after Lloyd Georges memoirs arrived Haig lost popularity, the media friends of the PM publishing his side of the story.  Haig took the blame for the war dead, yet German generals, French and Italian generals who lost more men, often more incompetently, never received such abuse.  One man alone is responsible for blackening Haigs name and that is the lying, self seeking Prime Minister who shifted responsibility to this general.
Read this book.

  

Sunday Suffering...

 

Dismal weekend so far.

Weather grey, occasional rain, yet Saturday traffic very busy.  Some folks are getting bored with being inside I reckon.  Many are now taking to the roads for a bit of 'exercise.'  Sunday returned to the quiet however, the grey clouds limiting the most eager jogger.  

There was little for it but to read a book.  This however is not possible all day, some form of outside entertainment is required just to allow the mind to breathe.  Now many question whether my mind has breathed at any time, these people follow from a long line of teachers that I have known, but after reading three chapters we need refreshment.  

There is none to be had on TV, none found outside in the mirk, even less found looking inside my head.  I could of course have restarted all those many books that I have been writing, I have dozens, some of which even reach page two, but the muse has left on all of these and it may be they will join the myriad other ventures that I have toyed with and watch go down the drain.  Which reminds me the sinks require cleaning and a bottle of that smelly stuff dropped down them, just in case.  That is something to do tomorrow.  I could clean the bike in preparation for the sunshine that will surely come this way soon.  My knees may not like it but I would like to get out on it again.    

I may prefer to read books...

I could have continued the research on the local police force that I began years ago.  This did not get far.  The latest police station, the previous two, one with attached Magistrates Court all now housing, and the 'Lock Up,' known locally as 'The Cage,' where drunks were place in one of two small cells to keep the populace safe until sobriety returned.  These gentlemen would remember such actions well.  

I started this when the aged locals were fussing about too few police and 'it was better when I was young,' and I discovered the town had an enormous police force, not untypical of similar towns of the day.  Most of these 'local Bobbies' would probably have had to walk miles around the local villages as well as patrol the town.  I hope they were supplied with bicycles!  The village postman had to walk many miles each day, six days a week, I suspect these men did similar.  

The point is that while many look back to the days when things were better they forget they were actually the same as today.  We were better, younger with a keen outlook to traverse the world and see bright shiny things everywhere.  We forget the fears, problems and difficulties and keep in our minds only the good things. We certainly remember the good things when in the 'Cage' for the night.

 

May Day with Clouds and Scattered Showers...

Being May Day I looked out for the marching workers, red banners waving, storming the capitalist fortresses and freeing the workers.  Unfortunately the police had sent them back home, telling them to 'remain indoors and wash hands.'  The rich will continue to sleep safely in their beds tonight, unless a burglar passes through.  
I love these Soviet posters.  Always the people smile, always they are advancing, always the sun shines on the red flags waving as they parade.  Always missing are the millions of dead Stalin removed because he stubbed his toe against the door when he awoke in the morning.  The removing off the Tsar to aid the people sounds great, however when the Bolsheviks took over they replaced the Tsar with themselves, and Stalin soon removed them one by one.  This, in my view, is not what makes a sensible economy nor a decent society.  From the standpoint of aiding the poor Communism sounds great, human nature however always ensures some rise to the top, when there they wish to keep control irrespective of the wishes of others, equal to themselves.  'Equality' does not exist, we are all different.  A decent society aids and helps those without to have a chance to progress, it does not enrich the richest and have soup kitchens for the poorest.  When trying times came biblical kings stripped the temples and their palaces of gold to feed the needy, today the richest fail to do this, yet the richer get richer even during a pandemic!  No wonder some were attracted to Communism.  

I opened a new page on Facebook.  This is not because I am trying to hide from some people on facebook, no, no, not at all, however I am trying to avoid one or two...  In doing so I discovered I had another page, one I had made many years ago and for some reason forgotten about.  This I have adapted and made use off.  Now I have to collect the better class of people to my new page.  
All this is a result of the Lock Down.  A few days ago it affected me somewhat and I have still not quite recovered my equilibrium from that.  It will pass as will the showers that hammer down and soon become sun filled pastures.  
May Day is a Friday, that means tomorrow is Saturday a time for letting the hair down and having a good time.  I may just go out and buy some face masks instead...
Did you notice Sturgeon said Scots ought to wear face masks on public transport.  The Westminster unionists and press grumbled loudly that this was a disgraceful thing to say.  The next day Boris agreed and said it might be compulsory,the media immediately claimed this a wise move and bravo Boris.  Don't you just love having a 'Free Press?'

A Paper Dies...

Twitter is a great place to gain news of what is going on in the world.  The news is often wrong, deliberately fake, and often just as slanted one way or the other by the publisher.  That said one thing that has become obvious is the decline of some newspapers, the Guardian in particular.
Once a famous Liberal paper, noted for the left of centre stance, good journalism, and objective writing now it has dissolved into a middle class women's mag in which news is less important than the daily whine of a wee girl about her hard life, even though she has never done a days work in her life.  The online version is over filled with the virus, understandably to some extent, but still too much.  The pandemic means less income for struggling papers and now the female editor, who had gained some cash from readers, watches her sales drop and lowers the quality in a desperate down market lunge.  Twitter is filled with Guardian stories often good ones, surrounded by items like the one above.  "Birx's ever-changing scarves captivate the internet."  I have not added the comments found below this item, mostly from men, but the general idea is that 'this is not news.'  Sometimes it appears the 'Guardian' wishes to be the 'Daily Mail!'  This follows the general trend of the media in which journalism is replaced by a down market approach, see the dramatic failure at the 'Daily Telegraph' which now sells less than the 'Times.'  Murdoch's press is actually improving with changes at the 'Times' and 'Sunday Times,' and a willingness to use journalism, even though as yet they do not upset Rupert.  The 'Times' sales are steady it appears.

Wednesday Warble

Woken by the news at 3 minutes past 8 am I rose ready to face a day full of adventure and excitement.  I have so far been somewhat disappointed in the day.  Grey clouds overhead until now, no post coming through the door, no aircraft overhead either, however the traffic has increased somewhat.  I wonder if the Lock Down has reached a stage where people are beginning to rebel and seeking to travel at any excuse, just to be out of the house?  Today, being Market Day, brings people out to the market, which has only one fish van and one fruit and veg stall at the moment.  Otherwise it is queue at the supermarkets and the butchers.  Actually two 'health food' shops are open, if you can afford the prices.  Habit brings people out but for what?  It is almost 11:30  am and I have so far done nothing, the dust is beginning to lie on me as I type, maybe I ought to move more?  There again if I dust, clean, wash and all the rest of it the whole process requires the same work in a few days time.  Surely it is better to leave it all until next week and do it then, when the new month begins?  Only a woman would fuss...

Such timing!  With PMQs approaching Boris manages to avoid this by finding a new baby, this time admitting he is the father.  She managed to hide it well, was it induced or just another publicity stunt that will actually have no foundation whatsoever, like the 'Nightingale Hospital?'
Here we have the media gushing over this baby, unlike the seven (or is it eight) he ignores or who do not wish anything to do with him, let alone those aborted and murdered just for his lazy sake.  Now we are supposed to gush over this stunt and watch as Boris avoids responsibility for answering questions in the House.  Is he off for today or for two weeks?  Will he run away like the coward he is for longer?  Tony Blair was instructed by his awful wife to take months off when their child arrived.  Tony pointed out he was PM and therefore it was not possible to run from such a job, Boris appears to have a different view on things.
Am I longing for a return to Tony Blair and his 'obey the US' policies?  No, but recently I have wished he was back, I have even wished Theresa and Thatcher were back in power, at least they led from the front, even if they were wrong.
Carrie thanked the NHS staff, but which hospital?  Was it really NHS?  Does this child really exist?  Carrie of course is a friend of the Right Wing peoples.  She has contacts with the Elliott's and those Right Wing nutjobs in the US who now provide staff to run this nation, Dominic Cummings amongst them.  She is no innocent wee girl.

Monday Mumping

So, Boris returns, the media are ecstatic, 'The Boss is Back' they proclaim.
They fail to question why he was not around when people were dying and why he failed to take appropriate action to prevent such deaths.  The 'Nightingale' Hospital, and all similar ventures, have proved to be yet again empty gestures.  No patients admitted there unless they bring the staff to work on the also.  Along with imitation 'Churchillian' phraseology we have empty hospitals and no equipment nor staff.  Very typical Johnson.
He has however made it clear there will be no quick end of the Lock Down, this is good, however we know he speaks out of both sides of his mouth and I expect his paymasters will be getting some money opportunities very soon indeed.  
I wonder if he will take PMQs on Wednesday or avoid it through a doctors appointment perhaps?
I wonder of Keith has the ability to actually oppose him if he does take the stand.  This will be interesting, even though I am not sure I wish to sit through 30 minutes of disappointment.

There is a blindness in many people these days.  I found it clearly in those who voted for Brexit, there was no room for an alternative, Brexit was all, no-one wished to debate, Brexit or nothing was the idea.  In the US we see similar happenings.  Crowds gather to oppose Lock Down as they do not want the government telling them what to do.  They gather because the usual suspects, the anti- climate change, anti-Vaccination, and anti- whatever is popular people tell them to gather.  Obeying them is OK, especially when the President tells them to oppose the local Governor.  
The President himself, not renown for intellectual offerings, has in recent days Tweeted many confusing Tweets, including revealing a desire to find a new TV station to replace 'Fox TV' because it no longer appears to believe him.  Having told people to inject disinfectant to cure a virus, his friends say it worked, and now appears to have tipped over the edge finally will it be possible that he can be removed and sectioned before the November Presidential vote?  Possibly his daughter might bump him off and take his place, she would like that...

Paint, Twitter and eat...

Another day of joy and gladness today.  The grey clouds and east wind cheered the morning and the afternoon was so slow that I got the paint out again and finished the windows in the East Wing.  This I had been avoiding as the east wind that has hung around for over a week comes hurtling through the window freezing this place even if outside the world is in T-shirt mode.  No doubt my limited health will fall apart again after an hour or so of the draught.  At least that is another job off the 'to do' list.  Tomorrow much time will now be spent trying to open it again...

Much of my day has otherwise been spent seeking proper news on Twitter.  It is becoming my first place for news, even if much of the news is fake and half the rest contradicts what everyone else says.  The normal media appears to be a numbers count where nobody stops to ask questions.  For instance, if a car crashes and someone dies the police investigate, if thousands die the numbers are quoted and life goes on.  Something missing somewhere?  
The most interesting news comes from the infighting at the 'Times' and 'Sunday Times' where editors have or are changing and soon they will be run as one title.  That title, starting with the Sunday edition will be more of a liberal-ish paper aimed at the young at heart.  Rupert appears to think the 'Telegraph' can keep the old readership as most of them are dying off, and the Conservative Party is helping that.  His mate Boris is unhappy with the Sunday paper for publishing the truth about him, so watch this space any time soon, Michael Gove certainly is watching. 
The only other noticeable thing is I appear to be putting on weight, I wonder how...? 

Double Dealing with Local History

Amazon

An excellent book!  Well worth a read.  I was given this a couple of ears ago and was put off reading it because I had ploughed my way through Max Hastings book 'The Secret War.'  That book, while interesting, takes a lot more reading than this one does.
Outside of the MI5 & MI6 government individuals mentioned the main stars are the intriguing, if not unbalanced, personnel who put their lives on the line as double crossing agents during the Second World War.  A Peruvian lass who liked to gamble, a Pole who wished to rule, a French woman who almost blew it when her dog was killed and a Spanish chicken farmer and a Serbian who like the woman.  All these turned into excellent double agents.  Many Germans who came into the country as spies had no intentions of wearing a uniform and getting bullied, pushed around and shot, spying was an easy out.  A few who landed were not up to the double agent game and were jailed, some too pro Nazi were executed, these few however played a big part in the final victory especially their work concerning D-Day 1944.
The agents completely fooled the German intelligence services.  Not only were they believed long after the war by some but medals were awarded by the Reich and an Iron Cross or two, and large amounts of cash, reached the spies in the UK.  Wars are won and lost on intelligence, and as we all now 'Military Intelligence' is often questioned by the troops at the sharp end.   
This is a fast moving book,well written with many details on the contacts between spies and their masters both at home and abroad.  The details are clear, the stories intriguing and by the end the biggest lie of all, that General Patton was going to land an army at the Pas de Calais, succeeded in forcing all the enemy generals to keep that area well protected for over a month, during which time the real invasion at Normandy has successfully taken place and began the move up north.  his lie went right to the top of the Reich with Adolf himself satisfied with his successful spies, even after the invasion was under way.
The war over they returned to he real world.  Some more successfully and happily than others.  Their tales are told here.  This is a book well worth a read, especially if you wish to take up spying, allowing for the fact that amongst the operatives aiding the lies to the Germans were men who were also sending all the information into Mr Stalin at the Kremlin.  It is often easier to find foreign spies than those amongst you.

Muscle aches tomorrow.  For no good reason I suddenly rose and cleaned the fridge this afternoon. This is one of the many 'to do' jobs that ought to be ignored.  Instead I got up and did it!  I think the strain of Lock Down is having an affect.

Indeed in these past few days the strain has shown.  My mind was very dull, confusion as to what to do, lack of ability to enjoy anything, and little of interest in anything available was becoming the norm.  Then this morning I came across this picture I took some time ago.  
Edward and Eliza Wicks have lain in the graveyard behind the Congregational Church in Bocking End for 140 years without troubling anyone.  I just thought this morning I might have a look to see if they were important.    It appears he may not have been important but he would have been known in the town, he was an Inland Revenue Officer.   Moving from London, being born in Holborn, he made his way to Castle Hedingham for a while and then moved into Braintree, not far from here.  There again at that time everything was not far from here.
In spite of being born in 1812 he was not 'Baptised' into the Holborn Church until 1836 when he would have been 24.  I wonder if he had found a woman and wished to marry her there?  Certainly he had a first born only three years later and that is Staffordshire where he must have moved to gain the money to keep the wife.  Two other children followed there before coming into the large village of Castle Hedingham and what a place that would be for a child to grow up at that time!  Of course schooling would be forced upon them, and that would spoil the fun but it would enable them to benefit greatly as the Victorian economy grew in the middle of the century.  Braintree may have appeared 'bustling' in comparison with previous homes but it would still be suitable for the kids.

Living in this small two up and two down house, with no piped water until 1861 and then only if you could afford the 1/6d weekly, and with five children most of the time makes you wonder how they survived.  Consider the females fussing, consider the young child, there is always one, consider the washing, consider the vast dresses filling the room, consider marrying the girls off to the first tender approach.  That however did not appear to work.  Still four of them with the parents in 1871.
The wife Eliza dies in 1875, Edward follows in 1878 aged 66.  Being buried in this graveyard indicates they attending this rebellious fellowship regularly rather than St Michaels the Anglican Parish Church.  Indeed I think that was in rather a poor state at this time, Essex rebels remember their loyalty to Parliament under Cromwell and may even in the 19th century have avoided the church.
The Wicks story is not going to make news, they may have made friends, maybe not if the girls were still unmarried in their 20's.  We will never know.  The name is common in Essex, I would trace the family but really canny be bothered now, and I am thinking of visiting Tesco for bread.  However, this little study refreshed my stale mind wonderfully.  I needed it if you didn't.

Nothing to Say...

Lock Down Saturday Market

The bustling Saturday market, one fruit and veg stall, one van selling fish, that is the result of Lock Down.  Even the Tesco queue is sparse.  The town is hiding.

The Bustling High Street.  Four people in view, two others pass by, rather close I thought, and a handful wait outside 'Iceland,' six feet apart.  I was glad I had visited the butcher earlier in the week, there were two customers today and I didn't wish to wait.

In Edwardian days the scene to the left was very different.  Then the area was filled with cattle or sheep on this day, the public houses, three of them in the area to our right alone, filled with farmers and their men lunching, arguing and buying and selling.  Today Tesco dominate.  Beyond the Old Town Hall lay a 'Fair Field' where the Fair would arrive annually generating much pleasure and much money.  Before the war a Cinema opened and found favour with the populace.

 
Having dragged myself across the park, dog walkers and a child or two with mum, and around the town I made my way home through the crowds.  It was interesting how people kept a good distance from me, interesting also that when a party came close the expectation in their eyes was for me to move, not them!   The other person owns the pavement even if there are so few around! 

  
Almost opposite me stands this 'Arts & Crafts' house.  This is very much in keeping with many other such houses along the main road.  These were the offerings of the Courtaulds who built them for their workers.  The man who got this must have been quite high up in the ranks.  All feature red brick interspersed with blue and Tudor like chimneys above.   The Courtaulds built houses, offered doctors, schools and even hospitals to the towns around.  All such buildings are still in very good condition and still occupied.  

 
The rest of the time is spent looking out the window wishing I had a dog to walk when the sun shone.  Someone else could feed them.