Newspaper Stories 1916 - 1919 - Hartley-Kent: The Website for Hartley

11 Feb 1916 Agricultural College at Meopham Poultry World
Homestead Farm Meopham - a training centre for women

12 Feb 1916 Property for Sale at Ash KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
"Hodsoll Street, Ash, Wrotham. Messrs R Waterman & Sons are favoured with instruction from Mr F King to sell by auction, on Wednesday, February 23rd 1916 at 12 o'clock precisely, the builder's and wheelwright's stock in trade. Including ladders, 60 scaffold poles and planks, 150 drain pipes, 400 feet beading, 180 feet gas piping, carpenter's benches, 350lb nails, 200 feet glass, 300 feet timber, 700 slates, 150 tiles, hand cart, 70 feet guttering, cistern, paint, pump, screws, 6,000 bricks, light spring cart, coffin furniture and other effects. On view morning of sale. Catalogues may be obtained of Messrs R Waterman & Son, auctioneers and valuers, 42 King Street, Maidstone."

01 Apr 1916 Stack Lane School Kent Messenger
"Education, board residence - Lady and Gentleman (both long experience with boarding pupils) will accept for good home and manly training, four lads (8-12 years old) delicate or otherwise; healthy country life on bracing Kent hills (20 miles out of London); all kinds of recreations, and facilities for poultry and general farming. Terms on application to Home Care, Hartley, Longfield, Kent." [Homefield, formerly on corner of Stack Lane and Ash Road]

21 Apr 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRMT - George Victor Lynds of Hartley Green, painter and storekeeper for firm building munition works has exemption extended 1 month.

27 May 1916 Gravesend Hospital Kent Messenger
"Heroes' Bed: During the past week the following donations have been received by the Committee of the Gravesend Hospital towards the 500 guineas required to endow the proposed 'Heroes' Bed'…… Rifleman J H Vaughan, Queen's Westminster Rifles [of Hartley, on War Memorial]... The Committee propose to keep the fund open until the war is over, as it is their sincere wish that all those who have a relative or friend serving with the colours should have an opportunity of subscribing to the Fund. // After the close of the war there will be a great number of men who will suffer physically on account of the great hardships endured whilst on active service, consequently it is anticipated that the bed will be fully occupied for many years. Further the committee would respectfully point out that there can be no more fitting way of perpetuating the memory of relatives or friends who have fallen for the country, than by helping to endow this bed." [KM 22.7.1916 records gift of 5 guineas by Major and Mrs Tristram of Longfield. The paper of 20.7.1918 reported on the unveiling of the bed, bed no 9 on the Tingey Ward. Volunteer soldiers will be given preference over conscripts]

08 Jul 1916 Governess Car for Sale KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
"Governess Car, full size, round corners; stained; West End maker; Bedford cord upholstery; brass lamps, waterproof cover, whip, umbrella basket; recently done up; in good condition; £18, no dealers; seen any afternoon (Sunday excepted) - Hartley House, Hartley, near Longfield, Kent."

09 Sep 1916 Homefield, Stack Lane to let Kent Messenger
"War time economy - to let, country villa in own grounds, furnished in exact self contained halves, all modern accommodation, bracing air on Kent Hills, vegetables, milk etc, easy access London (20 miles) - Home Care, Hartley, Longfield, Kent"

21 Oct 1916 Symons v Fairby Construction Company Kent Messenger
"Dartford County Court - Thursday, before his honour Judge Parry….. // Mrs May Symons of Heortlea, Longfield, sued the Fairby Construction Co Ltd for £59 9s, principally penalty for not finishing a building contract In the specified time. The defence was that the delay in the completion of the building was due to the state of the labour market. Judgement for the plaintiff for £43."

28 Oct 1916 Fruit holding for Sale Kent Messenger
Fruit holding for sale, 2 acres, in full bearing, Tate, Hartley [Oaklands, Church Road]

17 Nov 1916 Abuse by some Employers of Conscription Tribunals Dartford Chronicle
Paper says big firms are avoiding tribunal decisions by getting men called up to work for them. Paper has sympathy with 41 year old married man with a business who was called up by D Urban Tribunal, who said the decision was disgraceful when 3 million single men had not been called up

04 Jan 1917 What the Allies' Reply Means Labour Leader
"One of our readers, Mr Maurice Webb, The Nutshell, Hartley, Longfield, Kent, sends to us the following interesting letter, expressing the opinion that the Allies' reply to Germany alters the situation from the point of the CO, who is engaged on Work of National Importance. // 'Sir. There are among your readers many who are subject to the Military Service Acts, and who have taken up some work of national importance as an alternative to military service. Those of us who took this course did so, in most cases, I imagine, because we felt that we should undertake any work of usefulness to the community that we conscientiously could. We felt too, I think, that the war was a catastrophe in which we were all involved, and for which none of us could claim to be utterly free from blame. // Recent events seem to me materially to alter the circumstances in which this work was, in most cases, undertaken. // With the Allies' reply to the German offer of negotiations the war ceases to be a common catastrophe, and becomes a purposely prolonged evil; while schemes of national 'mobilisation', of 'controlling' and of 'substituting' make the pacifist engaged on agricultural or similar work feel he is becoming a party to a deliberately perpetrated evil. Yours etc. Maurice Webb.'

23 Feb 1917 Changes in Conscription Dartford Chronicle
"Will the age go to 50?" Paper explains medical grading. Only grade A conscripts go to the trenches B1/C1 get other military service, B2/C2 labour corps, B3/C3 other national service only.

23 Mar 1917 Conscription Policy Dartford Chronicle
Papers says what's the point of tribunals calling up men in low medical categories, who are unlikely to be ever enlisted.

31 Mar 1917 Food Shortages - Gravesend Kent Messenger
For most of week potatoes unobtainable in Gravesend, general shortage of vegetables, rush when som available

21 Apr 1917 Homefield, Stack Lane and Contents for Sale Kent Messenger
"Home Care, Hartley near Longfield. About 1 mile from Fawkham Railway Station // Messrs Prall and Prall (Mr H Alexander Prall FSI) will sell by auction upon the premises as above, on Wednesday April 25th, 1917 at 2 o'clock precisely, the household furniture and effects. // Comprising brass and iron bedsteads, bedding, bedroom furniture, carpets, rugs, linoleums, fenders, fireirons, lamps, couch and easy chairs in saddlebags, velvet and leather, walnut and other sideboards, tables and chairs, mahogany bookcase, two oak rolltop desks, kitchen tables and utensils, china and glass, quantity of silver plate, 4 wheeled phaeton, 2 sets cob harness, 2 saddles, ladders, lawn mower, garden and carpenter's tools and miscellaneous effects.... // The premises are for sale or to let...."

18 May 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - KH Glover, Hartley Bottom Farm, ploughman and horseman, declared to have been discharged after 1 day as totally disabled for military service. Request by military refused.

09 Jun 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Kent Messenger
Conscription - applications for exemption by Charles English and others (see article)

15 Jun 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - Henry G Green (40), market gardener and bootmaker, B1. Said to be tilling 5 acres, Chmn George Day said some could get as much out of 1 acre as 10 acres - 2 months' exemption

07 Jul 1917 £45 Fine for 1 Cwt of Sugar Kent Messenger
"At Dartford Police Court on Friday, Joseph Hickmott, Longfield Court, Longfield, was summoned under the Food Hoarding Order for acquiring sugar exceeding in quantity that required for ordinary use. // There was also a summons against the managing director of Messrs Martineau, sugar refiners of Mile End E for selling the sugar. // PS Binfield said on June 16th he went to Longfield Court, and saw 1 cwt of white crystal sugar, which Mr Hickmott said Messrs Martineau had obliged him with for preserving. Messrs Martineau were his tenants, and he supposed the cost would be deducted from the rent. He had 7 acres of fruit, and would require the sugar to make it into jam. On June 18th, Mr Eastick, the other defendant, told him that as Mr Hickmott was the owner of their business premises, they felt they were morally bound to supply the sugar. The Sugar Commission's solicitors examined the books quarterly. The price would be 47s per cwt and carriage extra. // The defence was that the sugar was required solely for jam. // Mr Hickmott was fined £20 and Mr Eastick £25."

14 Jul 1917 Patriotic Entertainment at Longfield Kent Messenger
Patriotic entertainment at Longfield, run by Mr and Mrs Fielder on 4/5 July raises £65 for wounded and Gravesend VAD hospital

14 Jul 1917 Dog Fight over Thames Estuary Kent Messenger
Dog fight (term not used) between British and German planes seen in Thames area near Dartford at 10.50 am on Saturday as Germans returned from London. 30 planes involved.

20 Jul 1917 Gravesend Hospital Kent Messenger
"The Heroes' Bed Unveiled at Gravesend Hospital // The scene was the Tingey Ward of the Gravesend Hospital; time Tuesday evening. The function was sweet in its simplicity. A little knot of people gathered round No 9 cot. Save for the gilt chain of the Mayor, the whitel surplice of Canon Gedge, and the blue and white uniforms of the military invalids who stood hard by, there was little to give the ceremony colour. Yet behind it all was the golden thought and generosity of the people of the district for their brave warriors. By pulling a tri-coloured tape, the Mayor removed teh folds of the Union Jack beside the cot, and this revealed simply the words 'Heroes' Bed' pickout out in red letters on a white background. If there is glitter in the words, there was none in the lettering. // Behind this little function a tale can be told. When the war began - alas! How long ago those days seem - it was the thought of Mr H D Stephenson JP, Chairman of the Hospital Committee, that it would be appropriate to endow a bed in honour and memory of those who volunteered in Gravesend and district to serve their king and country. An appeal was made and from the 310 subscribers a total of £526 10s was received. The advent of conscription detracted in a degree from the original conception, but nevertheless it is the committee's intention to preserve the bed for the volunteer warriors for preference, though of course, it will be used for others when necessity arises. The £526 has been invested in war bonds, and this sum will assist the funds of the hospital to the amount of £27 per annum......" [List of those attending, Mayor's speech]

11 Aug 1917 Plane Lands in Longfield Kent Messenger
Longfield "Down from above - great excitement caused in the village on Sunday evening by the descent of a large aeroplane which after many attempts to make a fresh start, finally alighted in the field opposite the Railway Tavern, where it stayed for the night under the charge of a military guard."

01 Sep 1917 Servants' Registry Kent Messenger
Mr Pipe of Himalaya Bungalow [Rochford, Church Road], Hartley, Longfield advertises for housemaid, kitchenmaid, between maid, general servant for seaside [presumably he is running some kind of agency]

21 Sep 1917 Allowing Cattle to Stray at Hartley Dartford Chronicle
Hedley Symons of Hartley Wood fined 5/- for allowing 1 boar and 2 store pigs to stray on Hartley Road. He said he had baricaded the fences, was working night and day and was very short handed. // Also reported in Woolwich Gazette 18.9.1917 "Hedley Symons of Hartley, was summoned for allowing pigs to stray on the highway at the top of Manor Drive. PS Benfield proved the case, and stated that the pigs had strayed a quarter of a mile. Defendant said Manor Drive was not shown on the map, and pigs were not on the public highway. The sergeant, in reply to questions admited tha the defendant had placed poles to barricade the fences to keep the pigs from getting out. Defendant added that he had compensated persons for damage caused by the pigs. The bench imposed a fine of 5s."

13 Oct 1917 Servants' Registry Kent Messenger
"General servants wanted for all parts of London, Surrey, Sussex and Kent, also for Eastbourne, Folkestone, Hastings, Hove, Brighton etc. Highest wages, best places, no fees. Kitchenmaid wanted, one lady, 5 servants £20. Lady help £18. Several cooks, cook generals, house parlourmaids, and housemaids wanted for all parts - please write, stating age, wages wanted, length of character to Mr Pipe, Kent County Registry, Hartley, Longfield, Kent."

02 Nov 1917 For their country - Corporal C Haygreen (pictured) Dartford Chronicle
"Mr and Mrs Haygreen of 7 Park Road, Dartford, are mourning the loss of their 4th son, Corporal Charles Haygreen, aged 28, who was serving with the RGA (Royal Garrison Artillery). He joined up on November 23, 1914, had been in France since August 30, 1915, and was last home October 7, and had only just rejoined his regiment, being killed on October 10. // Before enlistment Corporal Haygreen was employed by Mr Humphries of Hartley, and was a scholar at Hartley Schools. // Mr and Mrs Haygreen have two other sons serving. // [Sadly, before the war was out Mr and Mrs Haygreen was to lose another son, Ernest, both are commemorated at Fawkham.]

03 Nov 1917 Rabbits for Sale Gravesend Reporter
King of Gravesend sells English trapped rabbits, "fresh supplies daily from country districts".

01 Dec 1917 Death of Captain Treadwell Melbourne Sporting Judge
Death on active service of Cadet E J C Treadwell; it was suggested he be buried in Hartley with his ancestors but army wouldn't pay to transport body

15 Dec 1917 Food Shortages - Gravesend Kent Messenger
Gravesend Council discuss queues, outsiders being blamed by some for buying supplies meant for Gravesend, but one shopkeeper on council said his supplies took outsiders into account.

22 Dec 1917 War Savings - Kent Kent Messenger
National War Bonds 11 weeks to Dec 15th. Dartford (pop 23,609) £14,155 Gravesend (28,117) £36,795

29 Dec 1917 Food Shortages - Dartford Kent Messenger
"Extraordinary scenes were witnessed in Dartford on Christmas Eve, queues numbereing several thousands waiting outside the grocers' shops for supplies of margarine. At most shops the supply had run out by noon on Saturday, and though retailers in some cases promised to open on Sunday morning if further stocks arrived, nonewrer delivered, and buyers waited in vain. Early on Monday a force of police was busy regulating the queues, and wehn a five ton parcel consigned to the Maypole company arrived, it was comandeered by the Food Committee and distributed among small shops. Orders were issued that nothing but margarine was to be sold till 1 o'clock, and forbidding the purchase of supplies by one family at more than one shop, or by more than one member of a family at any shop. Butchers found it necessary to admit customers by the shop door, and pass them out at the back of the premises after being served."

01 Jan 1916 Closure of Gravesend Standard Newspaper Gravesend Magazine
(Jan 16 Shrimper's Net by the Wanderer) Surprised that the Conservative supporting Gravesend and Northfleet Standard has had to close due to lack of support, in town of 30,000 with a Conservative MP.  Paper was continuation of the Gravesend Journal founded in 1864 and incorporated with Standard in 1892.  Publisher of the Journal was late J S Caddel.  Writer concedes that it never wobbled in its partizanship, but had strong points in its layout and features on e.g. history of local regiments.  In another item he says Derby attestees have no right to look down their nose at conscripts when they only came forward with the threat of compulsion hanging above them.

01 Jan 1916 Kent Volunteer Fencibles (Gravesend) Gravesend Magazine
(Jan 16 Kentish Volunteer Fencibles) members helped with Derby recruiting and are now organising a Khaki Armlet rally.  Nearly all eligible members of the corps attested.

08 Jan 1916 Dartford Library Opens Kent Messenger
Carnegie Library opened in Dartford, very popular

08 Jan 1916 Bath Chair for Sale Kent Messenger
Wicker bath chair 38 shillings - Parker, Old Parsonage Cottages

14 Jan 1916 Economy Run Mad Dartford Chronicle
"Economy run mad" paper criticises Northfleet BC for saving 1s 11½d by not punctuating reports of their proceedings

15 Jan 1916 James Martin Sydney Morning Herald
Executor notice regarding estate of James Martin of Hartley

15 Jan 1916 Susie Griffin, Clarinet The Era
Clarinet and Saxophonist - Miss Susie Griffin, Bundoran

28 Jan 1916 Female workers in previously male jobs Dartford Chronicle
First ever female relieving officer for Dartford Union. Mrs E M Branston of Greenhithe, welcomed by paper, reminding those opposed that female guardians have already proved themselves

29 Jan 1916 Green Man Longfield Sunday Trading Kent Messenger
George Miles, landlord of the Green Man, Longfield Hill, fined £5 for selling 2 bottles of beer at 9.40am on Sunday 9 Jan

29 Jan 1916 Hartley Agricultural Cooperative Kent Messenger
Hartley agricultural cooperative society discuss settlement of ex-military on land.  They think there must be proper training first, disastrous otherwise (see article)

02 Feb 1916 Food Prices and Shortages Gravesend Reporter
"Member of Beefsteak Club" writes long letter about state of food in Gravesend, supports food committee.

05 Feb 1916 Army Recruiting Kent Teachers Kent Messenger
Kent Teachers and Derby Scheme, class A can be released immediately, B - can be released on appointment of substitute, C - can be released on appointment of qualified male teacher.  Attested (44, 29, 25), Rejected (17, 22, 16), Not Attested (3, 11, 5), No return (5, 4, 1) (A, B, C)

05 Feb 1916 Swedes for sale Kent Messenger
Swedes for sale, offers - Rural Development Company

07 Feb 1916 Henry Stahl Obituary Portsmouth Evening News
Died on service - Lieut Cdr Henry C Stahl, retired but rejoined for war (bought smallholding in Church Road)

11 Feb 1916 When Zeppelins Will not Come Dartford Chronicle
"When Zeppelins will not come" in view of anxiety over raids, the Imperial Air Fleet Committee list 7 examples - glass below 30 degrees, wind above 15mph, icy, thunder, prospect of rain, moonlight and not dark

11 Feb 1916 Longfield Rating Allegations Dartford Chronicle
Dartford Guardians ask W Robson to resign as rate collector after allegations by Longfield PC that he had underassessed some properties. Details of investigation

11 Feb 1916 Agricultural College at Meopham Poultry World
Homestead Farm Meopham - a training centre for women

11 Feb 1916 Female workers in previously male jobs Dartford Chronicle
Meeting at Swanley about war service for women. George Day "emphasised the importance of women assisting as far as possible in the cultivation of land during the war".

12 Feb 1916 Shell Shock Gravesend Reporter
Paper reports London lecture on shell shock

12 Feb 1916 Longfield Rating Allegations Kent Messenger
Dartford Board of Guardians advice Longfield Collector of Rates to resign after accusation he was underassessing properties owned by himself and another.  Paper asks where were elected representatives in all this? Are they too indolent or timid to allow their servants to become their masters?

17 Feb 1916 Henry Stahl Obituary West Sussex Gazette
Obituary of Henry Charles Stahl RN, died when his minesweeper was run into by Swedish boat

19 Feb 1916 Conscientious Objectors - Gravesend Gravesend Reporter
Godfrey J Bayns of Brixton writes to say sacking of conscientious objector librarian by Gravesend council may be illegal.

19 Feb 1916 Railways and the War Kent Messenger
Since war began SE&C Railway has been running 100 special trains a day for the government

19 Feb 1916 Conscription of Territorial Officers Kent Messenger
Territorial Army officers told they must agree to foreign service or resign, if they resign they can be conscripted

25 Feb 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Longfield Dartford Chronicle
Dartford Rural Tribunal - claims for exemption - Frank Hickmott of Longfield Court, accountant, asked for more time to arrange his business, granted 2 weeks. Walter John Elliott farm bailiff and Springhead Watercress beds, refused. Reg and Walter Lynds, employed by Miss Ethel Stubbs of Longfield to look after cows and 10 acres, adjourned.

26 Feb 1916 Conscription Policy Kent Messenger
Paper calls for military tribunals to consider public policy, not cause unemployment for many when one employer called up.  To give due but not undue consideration to Cos, leave last man of fighting family to parent.  Not to make jibes and jests at applicant's expense as at Dartford.  Hints some tribunal members lucky in regard of their own sons

03 Mar 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Longfield Dartford Chronicle
DRT - John Cornelius, farmer of Middleton Farm, helps widowed mother, sister drives milk cart, with help of boy they farm 26 acres. Military representative said it was easy to find labourers, to which the chairman George Day replied "said he would be glad to have the names and addresses of some as he wanted 4 or 5 badly... the miliitary rep was unable to supply these and the application was granted".

04 Mar 1916 Harrassment of Non-Combatants Kent Messenger
Percy C Winde of Meopham School House replies to letter with Wrotham postmark containing only white feather.  He is over military age and does other war work.

07 Mar 1916 J W Harwood Midland Daily Telegraph
J W Harwood member of Motor Machine Gun Corps

10 Mar 1916 Drunkenness at Ash Dartford Chronicle
George Richard Hills of no fixed abode fined 9 shillings or 7 days for drunk and disorderly at Ash Street, Ash

10 Mar 1916 Conscientious Objectors - Chislehurst Dartford Chronicle
Conscientious objector at Chislehurst, Percival Evershed, asked if he would retaliate when attacked - no. Was it right to stay at home when others fought - admire them but against his conscience to fight. Would he help wounded - yes. Isn't country like wounded in need - the kingdom of heaven is his country, militarism is not in the spirit of Christ. Military rep agree but argued war was absolutely necessary. Tribunal happy with his offer to join RMAC as ambulance driver.

10 Mar 1916 Hartley Roll of Honour Dartford Chronicle
Roll of honour - Hartley - Army: Charles Henry Baines, Edward Cheary, Capt David Copus, William Elliott, J Gardiner, Alfred Hodges, Robert Rose, T Rose, Frederick Shambrook, William Thornton, Maj C E Tristram, Richard Woodward. Longfield - navy 8 army 66 territorials 2. Fawkham - navy 1, army 10.

11 Mar 1916 Conscription Policy Kent Messenger
Press can sit in on tribunal discussions when public are excluded but can't report it.  They know some members are determined to conscript men whatever but public doesn't know this.

11 Mar 1916 Female workers in previously male jobs Kent Messenger
Correspondent says it is not unpatriotic as previously claimed for women farm workers to ask for 2s 6d per day.  Won't get the 40,000 volunteers if they don't, it's hard work and why shouldn't they be paid as much as munitions workers?

17 Mar 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Ash Dartford Chronicle
"One taken and one left" DRMT - Frederick Goodwin, corn merchant of Ash given exemption. Brother William J Goodwin , agricultural engine driver, refused.

18 Mar 1916 Archibald Oliver Obituary Gravesend Reporter
Death of Archibald John Oliver, former resident of Longfield and Swanley. Joined 25th Royal Fusileers as Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant. Sailed from Plymouth on Neuralia on 10/4/1915. Mentioned in despatches as aide-de-camp at Buckbu in June. Served in remote and unhealthy parts of the colony (? S Africa). Caught malaria twice and died of pneumonia. Aged 33. Football enthusiast, once played for Cornwall. Leaves widow and 2 small children.

25 Mar 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Longfield Kent Messenger
DRT - George Henry Zimmer, the Nursery, Longfield.  His father is German and is interned, he said it is impossible to keep home going if conscripted.  Refused

25 Mar 1916 Women Workers - Longfield Committee Kent Messenger
Longfield "War Service for Women - A committee has been formed to support the scheme for Agricultural war work for Women.  All information may be obtained from the Registrar, Mrs Dilworth Harrison, The Briars, Longfield

31 Mar 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRMT - H Williams of Elm Cottage, gardener, appealed on medical grounds, given 2 weeks to produce evidence. J H Vaughan of Hartley, clerk, adjourned.

01 Apr 1916 Longfield Variety Show Gravesend Reporter
Variety show at Longfield Club Room, list of performers. 50 gramophone records pledged for wounded soliders in Dartford and Gravesend hospitals.

01 Apr 1916 Conscientious Objectors - Gravesend Gravesend Reporter
Gravesend tribunal rejects conscientious objector request by cinema projectionist, because he shows "warlike" films.

01 Apr 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Hartley Kent Messenger
"Dartford Rural Military Tribunal: Henry Thomas Bentley of Hartley Green, a market gardener employed by Rural Development Co, was refused exemption.  The same company appealed (with the same result) for H Brock of Hothfield, Hartley, who, it was stated, would not be of military age till July."  Case of J H Vaughan of Hartley, clerk, deferred (did not appear).

01 Apr 1916 Stack Lane School Kent Messenger
"Education, board residence - Lady and Gentleman (both long experience with boarding pupils) will accept for good home and manly training, four lads (8-12 years old) delicate or otherwise; healthy country life on bracing Kent hills (20 miles out of London); all kinds of recreations, and facilities for poultry and general farming.  Terms on application to Home Care, Hartley, Longfield, Kent." [Homefield, formerly on corner of Stack Lane and Ash Road]

07 Apr 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRMT - Thomas C Stuart of Culvy Down, Hartley, market gardener, conditional exemption. Henry Thomas Bentley of Hartley Green, market gardener employed by Rural Development Company, refused. H Brook of Hothfield, also applied for by Rural Dev Co as skilled in intensive horticulture, dismissed. George W Hollands of Fawkham Green, engine driver, youngest man on farm and nearly 41, exemption granted.

08 Apr 1916 Female workers in previously male jobs Kent Messenger
Rector of Milton Church suggests in parish magazine that they should have women sidesmen, saying "women are doing wonderful things now".

14 Apr 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRMT - Clifford Dearson of the Firs, Hartley, rejected as medically unfit. Percy W Dennis of Elm Villa Hartley, fruit grower and market gardener, appeal rejected. In another case the military representative appealed exemption given.

15 Apr 1916 Henry Booth Hohler of Fawkham, Will Gravesend Reporter
Will of Henry Booth Hohler of Fawkham Manor, who died on 14 Feb 1916. Owned land and £180,000.

15 Apr 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Hartley Kent Messenger
Percy W Dennis of Elm Villa, fruit grower and market gardener - appeal against conscription rejected

15 Apr 1916 Wanted - Wire Netting etc Kent Messenger
"Wanted  Wire Netting, rough boards, 4ft, pig pounds, quartering, 6ft also 5f and 6ft stakes, also 200 small fence bats, state price.  Weston, Anzac Cottage, Hartley Hill" [now Hamilton, Church Road]

21 Apr 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Ash Dartford Chronicle
West Kent Appeals Tribunal - rejected appeal by Frederick Goodwin for William John Goodwin, said he was indespensible for business.

21 Apr 1916 Roll of Honour Dartford Chronicle
Roll of Honour In Memoriam - several rural parishes, but none from Hartley or Longfield

21 Apr 1916 Lady Hart-Dyke Working in Munitions Factory Dartford Chronicle
Lady Emily Hart-Dyke (pictured) and her daughter are working daily in a munitions factory.

21 Apr 1916 Longfield Rate Collector Dartford Chronicle
Dartford Guardians appoint A W Cromar of Merton House as temporary rate collector of Longfield, but not permanent to be fair to men at the front

21 Apr 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRMT - George Victor Lynds of Hartley Green, painter and storekeeper for firm building munition works has exemption extended 1 month.

22 Apr 1916 Conscientious Objectors - Gravesend Gravesend Reporter
Gravesend tribunal rejects conscientious objector request by Ernest Frank Challis, 25, draper's manager, who joined the "Peculiar People" and soul saved 13 years ago. Asked by Tribunal whether it was against his conscience to go to football matches or amusements, claimed he hadn't make sacrifices for conscience.

22 Apr 1916 Longfield Rate Collector Kent Messenger
DRDC - invests £5,000 in War Loan.  AW Cromar appointed collector of taxes for Longfield and Hartley to succeed W Robson.  In fairness to men at front his appointment is only until 6 months after end of war.

22 Apr 1916 Longfield Church Kent Messenger
Longfield - 56 Easter Communicants, lower due to many in forces.  Roll of honour with 80 names pinned to Church door.  Easter offerings are £13.0.0¾d

28 Apr 1916 Assault at Longfield Dartford Chronicle
Albert Brazier of Belvedere fined 40 shillings for assault on PC Rich at Dartford Road, Longfield, charge of being drunk in charge of a horse was dropped

28 Apr 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRMT - H Williams of Elm Cottage, passed fit for home service. T William Crouch of Longfield given exemption as coal merchant.

29 Apr 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Hartley Kent Messenger
H Williams of Elin Cottage, Hartley passed fit for home service.

29 Apr 1916 Prize Winning Dog Gentlewoman
Picture of Miss Davies-Cooke's prize winning Brussels Griffon dog Ch Elfin, born 27.4.1913.

01 May 1916 Gravesend Magazine to Close Gravesend Magazine
Closure of Gravesend Magazine due to fact that "war has claimed all the staff with one exception"

05 May 1916 Market Gardening Courses at Swanley College Dartford Chronicle
Kent Education Committee organising short courses at Swanley Horticultural College on market gardening for women to help war effort.

05 May 1916 Conscientious Objectors - Dartford Dartford Chronicle
Dartford UDC refuse to employ Cos, calls for sacking of CO teachers by KEC Committee member

05 May 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Longfield Dartford Chronicle
WKAT - Charles Foster, manager of Longfield Coal Wharf, appealed for son Charles. Has contracts with EC Powder Works and farm, dismissed.

06 May 1916 Gravesend Hospital Kent Messenger
Gravesend Hospital Flag Day collection appears to only go as far out as Southfleet

12 May 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRMT - A Humphrey of Elmhurst, Hartley, farm manager, given conditional exemption

20 May 1916 Gravesend Yacht Club VAD Hospital Kent Messenger
Gravesend Yacht Club VAD hospital especially wants to thank generous donors of Hartley and Longfield

26 May 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Longfield Dartford Chronicle
DRMT - John Cornelius of Middleton Farm, given conditional exemption

26 May 1916 Conscription Policy Dartford Chronicle
Editorial calls for tribunal members to talk less and listen more. Says appellants face rapid fire questions without a chance to reply. In interests of justice.

26 May 1916 Saving of Food - Failure of Voluntary Restrictions Dartford Chronicle
"There is on the part of the purchasing public as a whole no evidence of a marked reduction of consumption of food.

An understanding of the difficulty of giving the family what it is 'used to', without an inordinate increase of expenditure, a housewife has quoted the following figures for present purchases as compared with May 1914.

Compulsory restriction of the quantities purchasable might not, one suggests, be attractive in itself, or even popular, but it would at least help the housewife to make ends meet.

Tea (1½lb) Now 3s 6d (Price in 1914 - 2s 6d); Butter (2lb) 3s 2d (2s 4d); Bottled or tinned fruit (2 var) 2s 6d (1s 10d); Cocoa (1 tin) 1s 0d (0s 9½d); Cheese (1½lb) 1s 8½d (1s 4½d); Soap (7lb) 4s 2d (3s 8d); Soda (7lb)* 0s 6½d (0s 3d); Bundle wood (per doz bundles)* 1s 0d (0s 5-6d); Stove Polish (per tin) 0s 4d (0s 2½d) * There is considerable difficulty at times in obtaining supplies of such things as soda and bundle wood.

27 May 1916 Edwin Cheary - Commendation Kent Messenger
"Pte E Cheary (Hartley) - Heroic Conduct on the field - A Hartley man has been commended for distinguished conduct in the field.  Pte E Cheary, after serving at the front for 9 months, was recently home on short leave.  5 days after his return he was commended for his daring work in France.  By his splendid behaviour in the face of the enemy he has won distinction for himself and brought honour to his native village.  The following is a copy of a special card received from the General of his division a few days ago - "2nd Battalion Yorks & Lancs Regiment, 20502 Pte E Cheary - Your commanding officer and brigade commander have informed me that you distinguished yourself on 20th, 22nd April 1916 near ____ by conspicuous good service in an isolated and heavily bombarded trench, holding the position cheerfully, though without rations for 48 hours.  I have read their report with much pleasure."

27 May 1916 Summer Time Introduced Kent Messenger
Gravesend's clock winder Mr Munns subject to good natured teasing when he put clocks forward at 2am, people asked why he was prowling around in the night!

27 May 1916 Army Flyposting in Longfield Kent Messenger
A hint to Churchwardens

The Churchwardens of Longfield on the Saturday after Easter Day affixed their annual statement of accounts to the  church notice board, but on Sunday a large Army poster was pasted in the centre of the board, nearly covering the balance sheet, and also totally covering a notice just affixed by the clerk of the Parish Council.  Complaint was made to the Secretary of State for War, and inquiry having been made through the officer of the Eastern Command and the recruiting officers at Maidstone and Gravesend, and explanation was given of the cause of the incident. Other Churchwardens may find similar difficulty in providing for all the notices for which room must be found on church boards at the present time, and be glad to know that their rights may be respected if due representations be made.

27 May 1916 Gravesend Yacht Club VAD Hospital Kent Messenger
The Commandant wishes to thank most sincerely the following for their generous gifts and subscriptions to the above hospital.  The Countess of Darnley, Mrs Dann, Mr Branon, Mrs Paterson, Mrs Smith, Mrs Tolhurst, Phyllis and Jack Wilson, Mrs J Davis, Standard V (Wrotham Road Girls' School), and staff of Henley's Engineering Works - pound day.  The Commandant again thanks all who contributed pound day offerings.  The appeal from the Hospital met with a most generous response in Gravesend and District.  To all in Hartley and Longfield special thanks are due for their enthusiasm and generosity.  The following is a list of the gifts received:- Tea 53 lb; rice 184¼ lb; sugars 258 lb; jam 84 lb; marmalade 26 lb; tapioca 44¾ lb; cornflower 14 lb; coffee 8¼ lb; cocoa 12¼ lb; Quaker Oats 38½ lb; bread 5½ lb; other groceries 233¾ lb; fruit and vegetables 179½ lb; household stores (soaps, soda etc) 136 lb; eggs 163.  Subrciptions in money £6 10s 2½d.

27 May 1916 Gravesend Hospital Kent Messenger
"Heroes' Bed: During the past week the following donations have been received by the Committee of the Gravesend Hospital towards the 500 guineas required to endow the proposed 'Heroes' Bed'…… Rifleman J H Vaughan, Queen's Westminster Rifles [of Hartley, on War Memorial]... The Committee propose to keep the fund open until the war is over, as it is their sincere wish that all those who have a relative or friend serving with the colours should have an opportunity of subscribing to the Fund.

After the close of the war there will be a great number of men who will suffer physically on account of the great hardships endured whilst on active service, consequently it is anticipated that the bed will be fully occupied for many years.  Further the committee would respectfully point out that there can be no more fitting way of perpetuating the memory of relatives or friends who have fallen for the country, than by helping to endow this bed." [KM 22.7.1916 records gift of 5 guineas by Major and Mrs Tristram of Longfield.  The paper of 20.7.1918 reported on the unveiling of the bed, bed no 9 on the Tingey Ward.  Volunteer soldiers will be given preference over conscripts]

29 May 1916 Army Boots Case at Black Lion Gravesend Reporter
Boots from the barracks - case of John English and others (see article)

02 Jun 1916 Hartley Roll of Honour Dartford Chronicle
Roll of honour - Hartley - Army - K Cheary, commended for gallant service April 1916

07 Jun 1916 Postal Service Reorganisation Kent Messenger
"On and after Monday next there will be considerable alterations in the despatch of letters from Longfield.  The present outward mails will be abandoned, and the despatches on weekdays will be at 2.50 pm and 5.20 pm, and on Sundays at 9.40 am.  The times of collection at the outlyiing letter boxes will be altered to correspond.  The mails will all be sent to Dartford, and not to London direct."

09 Jun 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Fawkham and Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRMT - G H Humphrey of Steep Hill, Fawkham, director of building construction company - 3 month's exemption. CGM Lynds of Hartley Green, general labourer on war work at Longfield - 2 weeks adjournment.

09 Jun 1916 Local Casualties in Battle of Jutland Dartford Chronicle
Obituaries of 5 local men from battle of Jutland

09 Jun 1916 Cancellation of Bank Holiday Times
Whit Bank Holiday cancelled and postponed to 8th August.

10 Jun 1916 Lunchtime Closing of Longfield Shops Kent Messenger
Longfield - shops to close between 1 and 2 pm due to shortage of assistants due to call up

10 Jun 1916 Longfield Church Kent Messenger
Longfield - Ladies' Pilgrimage of Prayer visits Fawkham, Longfield and Longfield Hill.  Given lunch by inhabitants of L

10 Jun 1916 Longfield Parish Council Kent Messenger
Longfield PC - request for reinstatement of Sunday train to Gravesend as munitions workers now have to walk to work; agreement reached with Dartford RDC about taking flints from the allotment sites

17 Jun 1916 Local News in Brief Kent Messenger
(1) DRT Appeals Against Conscription - Horace Day of Lion Cottages - dismissed.  CGM Lynds of Hartley Green - 2 week's exemption; (2) Longfield to hold memorial service at "The Camp" for Lord Kitchener; (3) Longfield - changes to post times - will now be despatched at 2.50 pm and 5.30 pm weekdays and 9.40 am on Sundays.  Outlying box times altered accordingly.  Post will now go to Dartford and not direct to London; (4) Chauffeur situation wanted - Joseph Rich, Hartley; (5) For sale - mare and good foal.  Apply A Humphrey, Hartley

23 Jun 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Longfield Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - CGM Lynds - 2 week exemption

30 Jun 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Longfield Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - W Crouch of Essex Road, Longfield, postman with 11 children and invalid wife - conditional exemption. GV Lynds of Hartley, painter - adjourned 1 week. Rev S Morgan complains of use made by military of National Registration Cards, when there was an assurance in parliament that they would not be used so. He said they have become the military's Encyclopaedia Britannica.

01 Jul 1916 Local News in Brief Kent Messenger
(1) Shaws Laundries Advert - collect from Longfield, Hartley and Fawkham on Tuesdays; (2) Acquarium for sale, £3 - Hartley House; (3) Cook general wanted wages £20 - C G, Hartley House

07 Jul 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Longfield Dartford Chronicle
(1) DRT Appeals Against Conscription - John Foster applied for George M Swan of 2 Elm Terrace, Longfield his driver (dismissed), G S Applegate of Hartley, cowman (conditional exemption), and S E Simes of George Cottage, Essex Road, stockman with widowed mother (conditional exemption); (2) DRT Appeals Against Conscription - George P M Bassano of The Croft, Hartley, poultry farmer (conditional exemption); Edward Harold Hare of Hartley Green, market gardener & CO? (conditional exemption); (3) Military authorities have banned local people from using military vehicles to get to hospitals, affecting those who entertain the inmates or who bring flowers for wards.

08 Jul 1916 Army Boots Case at Black Lion Gravesend Reporter
Serious charges against licensed victuallers - John William English of the Black Lion, Hartley and Edward William Swift of the King of the Belgians Pub Gravesend accused of stealing 300 pairs of boots from Milton Barracks worth £218.10. "PS Sands stated that on Saturday, from a report lodged at the police office, and inquiries made and information obtained, at 6am he in company with the Chief Constable, proceeded to the Black Lion Hartley, and knocked at the door, which was answered by English, putting his head out of the window. "What do you want" he asked, and witness told him he wanted a few words with him. Prisoner then came downstairs and invited them into a small grocer's shop attached to the premises. Having cautioned him, witness told him they were making enquiries relative to an extensive robbery at Gravesend barracks, and that they had reason to believe that a quantity of the articles had been received by him. Prisoner at first denied all knowledge of it, but afterwards admitted that he had one or two cases. They asked if they could see them, and at prisoner's invitation they had a look over the premises. They found the one box produced containing 30 pairs of boots and laces, standing in what prisoner called the office. Going upstairs, in the first bedroom they found six cases similar to that produced, containing 180 pairs of boots and laces. In the second bedroom were three cases containing 90 pairs of boots and laces. Witness said the Chief Constable asked him to account for their possession, adn he replied "I drove to Gravesend on Thursday the 15th June, where I met another publican. We went into a public house and had a drink. He asked me if I had room to put a few boxes up, and I told him 'Yes'. He then left me and then went to a table and spoke to another man, dressed as a military officer. he came back to me and asked me to meet him the next day, Friday. I went to his house, and afterwards agreed to meet him ast the Pelham Arms at 2.30 the same day. He came at the time mentioned in a military motor lorry and with 2 soldiers and we all drove out together. The soldiers assisted to unload, and I placed them in the clubroom. I remained at home, and the other three left."

Witness then questioned him with reference to 6 bales of clothing and socks, and he denied all knowledge of them, saying he had never seen them. They told the prisoner they knew he had, and also who brought them out to him, and prisoner then admitted that he had received them, but had since disposed of them, and that they were fetched away in a covered van, but he did not know where they went. They then asked prisoner if a solider called on him on the Sunday evening and demanded his 'corner'. Prisoner replied yes, he called here and asked for his share and I told him I could not give him any but that he would have to go to Gravesend and see them. Before he left I gave him £1". Prisoner afterwards corrected this statement to "I lent him £1". Witness asked him if he knew the name and prisoner replied "No. I have only seen him once before." Witness and the Chief Constable brought the prisoner to Gravesend and after further enquiries at 4pm the same day, witness, the Chief Constable and Detective Reed went to the King of the Belgians Inn. There they saw the prisoner Swift and telling him that the reason of their visit was with reference to a robbery at Milton Barracks, and that they had reason to suspect that he knew something about it, cautioned him. They told him of the recovery of a quantity of boots from the Black Lion, Hartley, and that they had reason to believe that he assisted in gettting the goods there and unloading them with 2 soldiers and a man named English on the 16th June. Swift replied "I don't know English" Witness remarked that he had reason to believe taht he did for he had a cheque drawn in his favour by English on the London, County and Westminster Bank, Dartford Branch, dated 25th May 1916, No W3,861. Prisoner asked "Is that the little man that does a lot of dealing? If it is so I do know him, but if you'll excuse me I'm not very good at remembering dates." They brought prisoner to the police office and in presence

08 Jul 1916 Army Boots Case at Black Lion Kent Messenger
600 boots found at Hartley Inn - page 1 headline (extensively reported in following weeks)

08 Jul 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Hartley Kent Messenger
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - Fairby Construction Company get exemption for 22 men in various parts of the country

08 Jul 1916 Gunfire from the Front Kent Messenger
Boom of guns from front heard over central and east Kent

08 Jul 1916 Bias in Awarding Contracts Kent Messenger
Correspondent complains of action by Gravesend BC re Mr Shultz.  His was lowest tender but they referred matter back because his sons weren't in army when in fact they were medically unfit.

08 Jul 1916 Army Boots Case at Black Lion Gravesend Reporter
John William English of Black Lion, publican, accused of handling stolen army boots

08 Jul 1916 Governess Car for Sale Maidstone Telegraph
"Governess Car, full size, round corners; stained; West End maker; Bedford cord upholstery; brass lamps, waterproof cover, whip, umbrella basket; recently done up; in good condition; £18, no dealers; seen any afternoon (Sunday excepted) - Hartley House, Hartley, near Longfield, Kent."

11 Jul 1916 Army Boots Case at Black Lion Times
Summary of remand proceedings in Army Boots case

14 Jul 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - Fairby Construction company applies for exemption of GV Lynds of Hartley, painter and J H Skinner, smith of Hartley and many others (see article)

15 Jul 1916 Female workers in previously male jobs Kent Messenger
3.5 million people employed in war industries, 660,000 of them women

21 Jul 1916 Local News in Brief Dartford Chronicle
(1) Amos John Austin of Manor Farm, Longfield fined 3s 6d for no dog licence; (2) Proposals to cancel August Bank Holiday, Lloyd-George wants peopled to "keep at it"; (3) Whole page of obituaries from the Somme

22 Jul 1916 Longfield War Casualties Kent Messenger
Longfield - casualties in recent fighting - Harry Swan (killed), Harry Jenkins (missing), and Fred Brooks of Pescot Avenue (wounded, likely to lose an eye)

22 Jul 1916 Bricks Wanted Kent Messenger
Wanted 20,000 bricks - French, Hartley

28 Jul 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - Ernest Locke of Orchard Cottage, Hartley, clerk, given 1 month exemption on personal grounds. Stephen Crocher, fitters mate of Cuxton and employed at EC Works, Longfield (refused)

28 Jul 1916 Conscientious Objectors - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
"John Rich, a bricklayer, of Hartley, as a socialist objected to any form of military or naval discipline.  He said society was wrong.  They could not live by killing.  He did not think the cause was just or right for which England was at war.  His son, who was serving, did as he wished. He was hostile to every party that was not a socialist party.  He had a right to his own opinion.

The Rev S Morgan said no man had a right in his opinion if that opinion was wrong.

Applicant said it was impossible to be a Christian and a Socialist was well.

The Rev S Morgan "Oh, is that so, then I am done.  There is nothing to prevent a Socialist being a Christian.

Applicant said a socialist must be an athiest.  He was a creature of circumstance.   There was no such thing as having a will of his own.

The Military Representative said what was the serious hardship that applicant complained of.

Applicant explained that his son had joined the army voluntarily, and applicant had to pay his son's clubs in case of his returning wounded  He had not received a farthing for the whole time he enlisted.

Granted exemption so long as on munitions work."

[When conscription was introduced, so was a system of appeals against conscription.  This might be on the grounds of hardship, occupation or conscientious grounds, for example.  The tribunal was reluctant to grant exemptions on the grounds of conscience.]

29 Jul 1916 Local Casualties in Battle of Somme Gravesend Reporter
"The Great Advance - heavy local casualty list" (1 page); Also Dartford Chronicle 28/7/16

29 Jul 1916 Army Boots Case at Black Lion Gravesend Reporter
John William English committed for trial

05 Aug 1916 Local News in Brief Kent Messenger
(1) Gravesend CofE churches to circulate form to find out how many are serving and what denomination; (2) Longfield - patriotic entertainment at Club Room organised by Mr and Mrs Fielder for Gravesend Yacht Club VAD hospital.  £8.5.1 raised.  Misses Elcome and Amos sang "Pack up your troubles"; (3)Housemaid wanted, house with 4 servants - Mrs H Baker, Hartley Manor

08 Aug 1916 Munitions Workers Postpone Holiday Times
Most munitions works attend to government appeal to postpone bank holiday on 7th.

11 Aug 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
(1) DRT Appeals Against Conscription - E Spriggs of Hartley Wood, gardener (2 months exemption). CGM Lynds of Hartley Green, working in stone quarries (adjourned). H Symons, farmer on Hartley Manor estate and M Webb of Hartley Wood, manager of smallholding (conditional exemptions). C English of The Stores, manager of corn and oil stores (2 months exemption); (2) 2nd anniversary of war, procession from Dartford council offices to the Bandstand. Mr Smale said "Nothing short of complete victory would compensate the country for the blood and treasure which has been poured our, and the arch villain must be brought to its knees" Similar speeches from others.

12 Aug 1916 Gravesend West Street Railway Kent Messenger
SE&C Railway tell Longfield PC there is no chance of restoring Sunday service to Gravesend.  LPC had said it means a 5 mile walk for munitions workers, hospital visitors and soldiers

19 Aug 1916 Local News in Brief Kent Messenger
(1) DRT Appeals Against Conscription - CGM Lynds, Hartley Green, conditional exemption; (2) Small stack of meadow hay and white ferrets for sale - write or call Bassano, Hartley

25 Aug 1916 Hartley Roll of Honour Dartford Chronicle
New Roll of honour: Hartley - army - E Cheary (commended for gallant service, April 1916), Lance Corporal L West (wounded July 1916). Longfield had 3 sailors rescued from HMS Cressy, 4 army

25 Aug 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - Charles GM Lynds of Hartley Green (conditional exemption)

26 Aug 1916 Longfield War Casualties Kent Messenger
Longfield - Pte A(lfred) Ing 23494 Gloucester Regiment died of wounds

26 Aug 1916 Homefield, Stack Lane to let Kent Messenger
To let Homecare (?Homefield, Stack Lane), vegetables, milk

01 Sep 1916 Local News in Brief Dartford Chronicle
(1) (and passim) paper runs tobacco fund for troops; (2) Westfield, Church Road, sale of household effects by executors of TW Wells, including beds, crockery, hen houses, piano (see article); (3) Zeppelin raid on outskirts of London. Detailed eyewitness accounts without location

02 Sep 1916 Local News in Brief Gravesend Reporter
(1) Bishop of London allows women preachers so long as they only address women and don't use the pulpit or chancel steps. Met with great resistance, but Dr Letitia Fairfield replied in Daily Chronicle of 17/8 that saying women preachers 'contaminated buildings' was "the most comprehensive insult ever offered to a human being"; (2) For sale furniture and effects of Westfield, Hartley Church Road

08 Sep 1916 Local News in Brief Dartford Chronicle
(1) DRDC - Rev Stanley Morgan asked whether the health visitors had been to Hartley, Ash, Fawkham, Ridley or Kingsdown? - No. He and Rev E Smith agreed it was a disgrace as these areas were paying for them too; (2) Samuel Osborn and John Foster of Longfield accused of cruelty to horse, lame horse found carrying 23 cwt of coal at Lanes End. Foster fined 10 shillings; (3) Londoner's eyewitness account of Zeppelin raid. "like a silver galleon in the sky' how they hoped AA fire would hit it, and how each gun opens up in the few moments they see the Zeppelin in the searchlights. None hit, but exploding shells nearby make them think for a moment it has been; (4) Discussion why gunfire not heard 15 miles behind the line can be heard much further away in Kent

09 Sep 1916 Army Boots Case at Black Lion Kent Messenger
Initial application for bail for JW English.  Brother Charles £200, Mr Smith of Ash £200, himself £250

09 Sep 1916 Zeppelin Raid at Gravesend Kent Messenger
"About 1.20 am on Sunday, writes a village correspondent, the inhabitants of our quiet district were immediately aware of the booming of aircraft guns, the whistling of shells, the weird playing of numerous searchlights, and then such a crash!  The Zepps were here.  Looking up one could be seen splendidly 'held' by the nearest searchlight, and being attacked by an adjacent aircraft battery.  The airship changed her course like a turned hare and scurried away.  The craft had entered the parish from the south, making for London.  On being discovered by the searchlight, she made suddenly for the east.  4 explosive bombs  were dropped in the district and incendiary bombs fell in some fields, setting fire to a wheat stack.  Fire brigades, police and special constables hurried to the scene,a nd then what cheering!  The sky was illuminated to the north-east, and an airship was seen falling in flames.  Nearer home the biggest effect was theat of an explosive bomb which made a hole in a field nearly 30 feet in circumference.  The spot was discovered before daylight, and many eager searchers carried away souvenirs.  About 300 yards further on a bomb weighing 2 cwt fell in a field, exploding underground.  This was unearthed by the military on Sunday.  A hundred yards beyond, a farmer and his family had a narrow escape.  The farmer was watching the airship approaching - she looked about 12 yards long at the distance - and shortly afterwards whe dropped a bomb which smashed outbuildings, meal house, coal shed etc.  But spared the farm house and stables.  It was almost pathetic to see a faithful horse pick its way out from the debris at dawn of day.  Windows were broken in 2 streets, but the cause for deep gratitude is that not a single life was lost.  The few casualties officialy reported are sometimes received with scepticism, but here in a line of about 2 miles, 17 incendiary and 3 explosive bombs fell without even an animal being hurt.  The Zeppelin possibly was unloading her stock of explosives to enable her the better to escape, and dropped them right and left promisuously."

09 Sep 1916 Local News in Brief Kent Messenger
(1) Dartford Rural District Council - concerns raised by Rev Stanley Morgan supported by Rev E Smith (member for Hartley) that new health visitors are not covering Hartley, Ash, West Kingsdown, Fawkham and Ridley, in spite of what they had agreed to; (2) Lt Hiscock and police raid Grand Theatre and 3 picture halls in Gravesend and questioned those of military age, drew a blank

09 Sep 1916 Homefield, Stack Lane to let Kent Messenger
"War time economy - to let, country villa in own grounds, furnished in exact self contained halves, all modern accommodation, bracing air on Kent Hills, vegetables, milk etc, easy access London (20 miles) - Home Care, Hartley, Longfield, Kent"

15 Sep 1916 Local News in Brief Dartford Chronicle
(1) Toll of brave includes names from rural district but not Hartley or Longfield. Page of those recently decorated; (2) Criticism by paper of military raid on Dartford house of entertainment on 11th. 80 arrested with the "customary" result that not one shirker was roped in. Likens it to a press gang. Paper says there is ill feeling that officials appear to connive at "badging" single men but debadging married men in factories.

16 Sep 1916 Army Calls for Informants on Missing Conscripts Gravesend Reporter
Advert by Gravesend recruiting officer asking for whereabouts of about 100 named men, not certain if Hartley area covered but none south of Meopham/Southfleet.

16 Sep 1916 Longfield War Casualties Kent Messenger
West Kent Regiment - killed - Pte H Swan 991 Longfield

22 Sep 1916 Women Workers - Many Volunteers for Hospitals Dartford Chronicle
Request for women to work in local hospitals has been so successful that no more will be needed for the next 2-3 months

23 Sep 1916 Local News in Brief Gravesend Reporter
(1) Fawkham - stained glass window in memory of HB Hohler dedicated; (2) Fear of Zeppelins said to be contributory factor in suicide at Greenhithe, wife said he was always reading or talking about them; (3) 100 acres of underwood for sale.  Apply A Humphrey, Hartley; (4) "The Noble Mission" The noble 4000 - Rev SJ Poole, local coordinator of National Mission census, claims 95% return of forms showing 40% married men and 60% of single men serving locally, with casualty rate of 5%. Northfleet (married serving - 501, single serving 750, killed/missing to 16/9 - 78; children of men serving - 1,129), Gravesend (427, 624, 33, 815), Milton (558, 771, 74, 1,205)

30 Sep 1916 Zeppelin Shot Down Gravesend Reporter
"Witnessed by thousands in Gravesend - The fiery ball in the sky - Demonstrations of joy and excitement

Three weeks ago last Sunday, thousands in Gravesend witnessed the fall to earth of the burning airship which has made the little Hertfordshire village of Cuffley famous the world over.    In the wee small hours of Sunday morning they had a nearer vision of the tragic fate with befell the super-Zeppelin, which dropped to its doom in a mangold wurzel field in the adjoining county of Essex,.  Contiguous as Kent is to Exxex, divorced only by the highway of empire, the people of this neighbourhood had a splendid view of the whole of this tragedy - brief in its duration, but swift in its accomplishment.  News that Zeppelins had crossed the coast was received at Gravesend and Northfleet shortly after 9 on Saturday night, and immediately all lights were extenguished.  People who were in the market were caught, as it were, in a trap, and they had to exticate themselves as best they could.  Trams which were running in the streets were left motionless on the track, and everybody sought the vicinity of their homes.  Reassuring news was spread later that the visitors were being driven off by aeroplanes, and many folk went off to bed.  Between 11 and 12 the guns of the Thames Defences began to bark, but they sounded a good distance away.  The many searchlights were going, thrusting their long shafts of white light through space into the serene, star lit sky, but nothing else would be discerned.  Just before 1 the guns sounded neare, and those who ventured into the streets, and they were nearly all those who were up, were rewarded with a sight of the marauder.  It was not a very big affair, as seen from Gravesend, but the searchlights played around it and held it as if in a pair of pincers.  IN appearance it was like a silver rod, not much larger than a foot, and  one gentleman who followed it from Rosherville with a pair of powerful glasses said he could distinctly see the gondola beneath the silvery envelope.  While it was floating in the bath of white light from the searchlights puffs of smoke from the shrapnel exploding round it rolled in eddies about it, and he is certain that one of the shots went home just to the fore amidships.  Teh vessel shook like a dog just emerging from the water, and then it emitted a black vapour and tried to make off.  At this moment the guns ceased firing and those who were following the course of events through field glasses aver that they distinctly saw an aeroplane.  An instant afterwards tehre was a red glowing disc suspended, as it were, from the sky, and the watercher saw it grow and grow, and glow and glow like a red hot coal.  It seemed to expand, as if some unseen Vulcan, were blowing a fiery bladder, and then it tilted upwards from the left.  It was at this moment the spectators realised what had happened.  "They've hit it" someone shouted at the top of his voice, and a mighty roar of approving cheers were sent up which must have reached for miles into Essex.  As the glowing object got into a perpendicular position, it expanded until it resumbled a hugh pear shaped ball, and the fames could be distincly seen roaring like a furnace.  Then the lower part fo the burning mass slowly dropped away, and in the distance ti looked like pieces of burning rope detaching itself and falling to the earth.  But those who viewed it with the aid of powerful glasses state that it was the gondola parting from the envelope.  These fragments fell slowly at first, and then shot down rapidly.  The main mass of the fiery ball took about 5 minutes to burn to its maximum and then it seemed to contract until at last it had the appearance almost of a glowing golden rod, suspended in mid-air.  Slowly it dropped and then with a sudden accession momentum fell to earth, like Lucifer, never to rise again.  The horizon obscured it, but werhe it fell a glow appear for a minute or two, and then died away, and all that remained to indicate the tragedy which had happened was the shafts of the searchlights, sweeping the starlit sky.   All this time people in the town had been frantically cheering and waving their hats and handkerchiefs, and the sirens from the craft on the river had kept up an unearthly pean of jubilation.l  Then there was a rush to the riverside in the belief that the burnign mass had fallen quite close, but the only sight rewarding the thousands who flocked there wre the lights of the craft blinking at their reflections in the turbid waters.  There was plenty of speculation as to the precise place in which the burning airship fell.  It was with feelings of satisfaction that Gravesend and Northfleet went home to bed between 2 and 3 - satisfaction at the fact that the Huns had been taught a second lesson which must have a great effect upon the morale of their Zeppelin crews, satisfaction that some reparation had been exacted for all the terrorising and frightfulness of these useless raids, satisfaction at the fact that Great Britain has at last awakened to the right mehod of dealing with these emissaries of the Kaiser, and satisfaction that the Germans have suffered a defeat within our own country."

30 Sep 1916 Wounded Soldies Entertained at Meopham Kent Messenger
120 wounded soldiers from both Gravesend VAD hospitals entertained at Meopham Green,  Did rain though

06 Oct 1916 Council Buy Traction Engine Dartford Chronicle
(1) DRDC - purchase traction engine from Aveling of Rochester for work on the roads, to save costs of paying contractors. Discussion over purchasing flints, George Day says council flints at Longfield might not be available, Rev Morgan thought some farmers had overcharged or cost the council more by not selling to them direct.  (2) Dartford Board of Guardians vote to request increase in old age pensions, but vote against urging reduction of age from 70 to 65

07 Oct 1916 Longfield Collection for POWs Kent Messenger
(1) Longfield - flag day for Kentish POWs in Germany raises £6; (2) For sale 100 acres underwood - Humphrey, Hartley; (3) Cook wanted - Mrs Herbert Baker, Hartley Manor; (4) Haystack (4 tons) for sale, grazing for sheep to let - Tate, Church Road

14 Oct 1916 Local News in Brief Kent Messenger
(1) Adult education - Cottage Gardening at Longfield and Hartley; (2) Manor Road, Longfield to be raised to deal with swampy area

14 Oct 1916 Discovery of Human Remains - Longfield's Tradition Kent Messenger
"During the excavations at the stone pit on the allotment field, belonging to the Longfield Parish Council, at Whitehill, near Fawkham Station, on Monday afternoon, a human skeleton was unearthed.  It was covered by only about a foot and a half of the loamy soil, and was lying on the top of the old river drift.  It is difficult to offer any suggestion as to how it came ot be deposited there, or what might be the antiquity of it, as no expert was at hand to give an opinion, and the bones mostly crumbled to dust on exposure to the air.  It might have been a man of the 'Galley Hill' type, thousands of years old, who had been somehow immersed in the water, and teh alluvial soil been deposited above him, or the body might have been buried at a slight depth at a later period.  It was lying with the feet towards the north east, the point at which teh sun rises on Midsummer Day, and to which the line off axis ast Stonehenge is directed, and so connected with the sun worship of the Romano-British period or thereabouts.  There were no relics of any kind accompanying.  On the other hand, there is a tradition in Longfield that a man was murdered there rather less than 20 years ago, and that the body could not be traced even with the help of bloodhounds.  All that could be gathered of the remains were taken into the care of the police, and were placed in the Fire Station, probably to be the subject of a Coroner's inquest."

20 Oct 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
(1) DRT Appeals Against Conscription - Charles English (26) - case adjourned; (2) Human bones found at Whitehill Stone Quarry, Longfield. 2 ft 6 in underground but much decayed so likely to have been there a long time; (3) Paper criticises abuse of conditional exemptions by some employers, who falsely tell those affected that it means they have to continue to work with them. Cites case of one man sacked by his employer who told him he would be in the army in a week, got another job, but told to go back to original employer by tribunal

21 Oct 1916 National Mission Census Gravesend Reporter
Correspondence about the National Mission's figure of 83% Anglicans, free church writers in this and other editions say it is too high. Non-church goers called Anglicans, easter communicants of CofE 2.7 million

21 Oct 1916 Fatal Cycling Accident - Tar Barrels on Longfield Hill Kent Messenger
"On Tuesday, the Coroner (Mr G E Penman) held an inquiry at the Town Hall, Gravesend, concerning the death of Sergt Albert Gherkins, aged 41, a resident of South Hackney, who met his death as the result of a cycling mishap at Longfield Hill.

Deceased's brother, William Gherkins, of Morning Lane, Hackney, said that deceased, prior to joining the army, was employed by Messrs Clarke, Nicholls adn Coombes.

Wm John Maylon of Longfield, deposed that on Tuesday week at about 7pm he was standing outside the lodge gates on Longfield Hill, when deceased cycled by on his right side, ringing his bell.  5 or 6 yards from the gate were some barrels lying on the side of the road.  Deceased's bicycle hit one of them, with the result that he was flung between the barrels and the hedge.  Witness picked him up.  He was conscious, but injured about the head.  Witness sent to the camp and 2 soldiers came and took the deceased back with them.  There were 5 barrels on the side of the road; they had been there over 3 months.  He had seen similar accidents happen there during that period.  On one occasion 2 soliders riding bicycles were thrown off, but did not receive severe injuries.  He did not know to whom the barrels belonged.  Some of the people of Longfield thought they should have been removed.  This had since been done.

Dr Bincks, house surgeon at the hospital, said that deceased was practically unconscious on admittance.  He had been at the hospital in the Barracks.  He was suffering from the effects of concussion and injuries to the head.  He died on Saturday from concussion of the brain, combined with double pneumonia, developed since the accident.

Captain Stephenson said deceased had been in the regiment only a few months.  On the night in question he had been to Longfield siding and was returning.  He bore a good character in every respect.

the Coroner said that if the jury thought it worth while he would willingly write to the Kent County Council about the barrels.  Barrels of that description might be lying about in other parts of the county.  But for the barrels, the man would have still been alive.

The jury returned a verdict of accidental death."

21 Oct 1916 Casualties of War Kent Messenger
(1) Pte A Cole of West Yoke, Ash, killed in action (picture); (2) Kent Casualties - killed - Pte W Hurst, 24244 KRRC, Longfield

21 Oct 1916 Symons v Fairby Construction Company Kent Messenger
"Dartford County Court - Thursday, before his honour Judge Parry…..

Mrs May Symons of Heortlea, Longfield, sued the Fairby Construction Co Ltd for £59 9s, principally penalty for not finishing a building contract In the specified time.  The defence was that the delay in the completion of the building was due to the state of the labour market.  Judgement for the plaintiff for £43."

24 Oct 1916 Sale at New House Farm Kent Messenger
"New House Farm, Hartley, Longfield

Mr Philip Champion has received instructions from Mr Joseph Thornton, to sell by auction, at the above address, on Monday 6th November 1916 at 12 o'clock pm, the whole of the live and dead farming stock

comprising 5 horses, 4 cows, 10 heiffers and calves, 25 half bred sheep, 2 pigs, the usual collection of agricultural implements, and a quanitity of nursery stock, including 1,000 apples, 2,000 plums, 4,000 currants, 15,000 Ash plants and 1,000 poplars.

Catalogues (in due course) may be obtained at the place of sale, and of the auctioneer, Mr Philip Champion FSI, 5 Market Buildings, Maidstone, and 133 Lowfield Street, Dartford."

28 Oct 1916 £14 6s 9d from 92 houses Kent Messenger
£14 6s 9d from 92 houses.  In answer to an appeal made by Lord Harris for funds to provide comforts to Kentish soldiers at the fighting fronts and Kentish prisoners of war, it was resolved that a collection be made. The parish comprises only 106 houses, but of these 92 contributed and the sum of £14 6s 9d was the pleasing result."  [This is principally of interest because it shows the number of houses in Hartley had rapidly increased in a short time, following the acquisition of most of Hartley by Small Owners Limited.  At the 1911 Census there were 61 houses, but 5 years later there were 106]

28 Oct 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Hartley Kent Messenger
Darford Rural Tribunal - Thomas C Stuart, 32, market gardener - certificate withdrawn

28 Oct 1916 Fruit holding for Sale Kent Messenger
Fruit holding for sale, 2 acres, in full bearing, Tate, Hartley [Oaklands, Church Road]

28 Oct 1916 A Blackwell wounded Gloucestershire Journal
A Blackwell of Glos regiment wounded

31 Oct 1916 Sale at New House Farm Kent Messenger
"New House Farm, Hartley, Longfield, Kent

Mr Philip Champion has received instructions from Messrs Joseph Thornton and George Day, to sell by auction, on the above premises, on Monday 6th November 1916 at 12 o'clock noon, the live and dead farming stock

comprising 5 active cart horses, 8 cows and heiffers, 3 yearling steers, 3 weanling calves, 2 fat pigs, 14 half fred Hampshire ewes, 41 lambs, donkey cart and harness.  The usual collection of agricultural implements, including ploughs, harrows, Martin's cultivator, iron roll, binder, mower, set of stacking tackle, chaff cutter, 2 root slicers, sheep dipping apparatus, 100 new sheep gates, waggon, dung carts, harness, poultry, 2 acres mangel and a quanitity of nursery stock, including 2,300 apple and plum trees, 9,000 currant and gooseberry bushes, 1,700 poplars and 15,000 ash plants.

Catalogues may be obtained at the place of sale, and of the auctioneer, as above".

04 Nov 1916 National Mission Census Gravesend Reporter
Reply on behalf of National Mission: CofE 3,033, Non-conformist 382; RC 155; Not stated 61

04 Nov 1916 Ash and District Nursing Fund Kent Messenger
DRDC - to contribute £25 to Ash and District Nursing Fund, to secure nurse to serve outlying parishes

04 Nov 1916 A Blackwell wounded Kent Messenger
Kent Casualties - wounded - Pte A Blackwell, 23491 Gloucester, Longfield [Hartley]; Pte A Pankhurst, Longfield, 12853 Middx Regiment

04 Nov 1916 Longfield Hill Fatality Kent Messenger
"Sir - You drew attention in your current notes of last week to the sad cycling accident on Longfield Hill, but as no mention is made of the matter in your current issue, we may presume that nothing more is being done about it.  If that is so, I submit that justice is not being done.  May I emphasise one or two points?

Sergeant Gherkins lay by the roadside after the accident for about an hour, exposed tot eh cold, and alternately fainting and coming to.  Those watching him being unable to do much for his relief until the munition lorry appeared when he was taken to the camp at Longfield Village.  Your reporter at the inquest states that the victim, before he was taken to Gravesend Hospital, ' had been at the hospital in the barracks.'  But is it not true that he lay in the camp from about 8 o'clock in the evening until 3 o'clock next afternoon when he was removed to Gravesend?  Question: Why was he not taken to Gravesend Hospital straight away?  In addition to the motor lorry which took him to the camp, there was another motor soon on the spot, either of which could have made the journey in very quick time.  It was doubtless this inexplicable delay, added to the exposure by the roadside, which caused the pneumonia and accelerated the death.

Now, as to teh immediate cause of the accident, the tar barrels.  But for them the man would have ridden into the hedge, got scratched, more or less badly, picked himself up, and gone on.  Why did the jury not back up the Coroner's suggestion to write to the Kent County Council?  Why? If a tradesman inadvertently leaves goods on the pavement, and a passer by unseeing, trips over them, the former is liable for damages.  Is a public body exempt from such liability.  Such an authority may not have as we are commonly taught, a body to be kicked nor a soul to be consigned to purgatory, but is has a balance at the bank, and simple justice demands that it should disburse a fully adequate compensation to the widow and children for the loss they have sustained, this being altogether apart from any pension to which the poor souls may be entitled from the army.

J W Lawson, Clevis, Longfield, October 28th."

04 Nov 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Hartley Kent Messenger
West Kent Appeal Tribunal - appeal dismissed of Frank C Hammond, 30 married, contract manager to Fairby Construction Co, Hartley

10 Nov 1916 Quarry at Whitehill Road Dartford Chronicle
Parish meeting at Longfield over plans for a stone quarry on allotment land

16 Nov 1916 War Profiteers Gravesend Reporter
"XYZ" writes to say "there is one way in which both farmers and dairymen can be taught a lesson" if people refuse to buy milk 3-4 days a week.  "it wourl thorw such a quantity of milk on the hands of the profiteers that they would be compelled to bring down the price."  Also calls on bread sellers to weigh bread

17 Nov 1916 Alleged Pretence Dartford Chronicle
"Alleged pretence" Leonard V Debenham (29) of Ash sued F A Flint of Hartley for damage to hand on brush hook. Tendon on back of hand damaged, leading to loss of use of forefinger. Doctor said he didn't think finger would uncurl again. Damages of £15 awarded

17 Nov 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - George Bassano of the Croft, army want his exemption withdrawn, he said he produces 3,000 eggs per week and has 120 fruit trees, told to go to medical board (see article)

17 Nov 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Longfield Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - brothers FW and F Crouch of Longfield both given same medical class so tribunal says "the army must have the younger". Given until 1 January to give time to get up potatoes (see article)

17 Nov 1916 Abuse by some Employers of Conscription Tribunals Dartford Chronicle
Paper says big firms are avoiding tribunal decisions by getting men called up to work for them. Paper has sympathy with 41 year old married man with a business who was called up by D Urban Tribunal, who said the decision was disgraceful when 3 million single men had not been called up

18 Nov 1916 An Injured Finger Kent Messenger
Leonard V Debenhem, aged 20 of Ash, sued F A Flint of Bundoran [1 St John's Lane], Hartley, for compensation owing to injury to his hand by a 'brush hook', while cutting grass.  The hook, he said, came into contact with some sharp substance, and cut the first finger of his left hand.  After having medical attention he attended the Gravesend Hospital as an out-patient.

Doctors' evidence was given on both sides, the plaintiff's witness saying that plaintiff could not voluntarily bend his finger, and he doubted if he would ever be able to properly bend the joint again, while he might have to have the joint amputated.  The doctor for the defence said he examined plaintiff at the insurance office, and believed he had complete use of his finger, and that the stiffness was pretence.

the Medical Referee having examined plaintiff, his honour gave judgement for £15."

24 Nov 1916 Quarry at Whitehill Road Dartford Chronicle
Longfield Parish Meeting - big report re quarry. Meeting threatens to inform Local Government Board of illegal use of land bought for allotments and recreation

01 Dec 1916 Quarry at Whitehill Road Dartford Chronicle
DRDC - offer to arbitrate in Longfield dispute. Statement by Longfield PC Chairman

01 Dec 1916 Cycle Theft at Essex Road, Longfield Dartford Chronicle
Thomas Frederick Bristow (15) of Longfield bound over for stealing cycle accessories worth 22s 7d from shed of Fortunatus Lynds of Essex Road.

02 Dec 1916 Army Boots Case at Black Lion Gravesend Reporter
Robbing the British Army - report of John William English at the Kent Assizes, given 18 months hard labour (see article)

02 Dec 1916 The Wholesale Thefts at Gravesend Kent Messenger
"The wholesale thefts at Gravesend" English, Swift, Lander all got 18 months hard labour, Jowett got 9 months hard labour.Judge said to English and Swift "This is the last time that any honest and decent men ought to be tempted to steal from the British Army; and that is what you have been convicted of doing.  No doubt have both had a very substantial sum of money out of it, which prompted you to join in this wicked theft of goods belonging to the Army at a time when the country was at war.  It is a very bad case indeed, adn it makes the offence no less serious because you were men of education and position, and ought to know better."  Report menttions army camp at Longfield

08 Dec 1916 Appeals Against Conscription - Longfield Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - Charles English gets 6 month exemption

09 Dec 1916 Fatal Accident between Hartley and Meopham Whitstable Times
Two from London Volunteers killed in road accident at White Hill between Hartley and Meopham

09 Dec 1916 Obituary of Henry Bensted Kent Messenger
Death, aged 81, of Henry Bensted on November 24th at The Cottage, Earl Stonham, Stowmarket, formerly of Hartley and Longfield Court.

12 Dec 1916 Fatal Accident between Hartley and Meopham Kent Messenger
Inquest on 2 soldiers killed when van overturned on road between Meopham and Hartley

12 Dec 1916 Nurse Wanted - Hartley Court Times
Nurse wanted £20-28 salary, 3 maids employed - Mrs Cuthbert Lambton, Hartley Court

13 Dec 1916 Will Hooley Seeks Farm Liverpool Echo
Will Hooley of the The Firs, Hartley looking for house and poultry farm

15 Dec 1916 Quarry at Whitehill Road Dartford Chronicle
More on Longfield Quarry dispute

16 Dec 1916 Quarry at Whitehill Road Gravesend Reporter
Longfield Parish meeting - disruption of a parish council

21 Dec 1916 St Joseph's High School, Hartley Kent Messenger
St Josephs High School for Young Ladies, Boarding School for Gentlemen's sons 4-10 advert

22 Dec 1916 Quarry at Whitehill Road Dartford Chronicle
Longfield Quarry Dispute - report of parish meeting

22 Dec 1916 James Caller of Longfield Dartford Chronicle
Family of Corporal James Caller of St George's Cottages, Whitehill & W Yorkshire Regiment received letter from officer. He has been missing since July 1st. No news but says sergeant with him when he injured his shoulder reported him as wounded.

30 Dec 1916 Longfield Hill Fatality Gravesend Reporter
Dartford RDC being sued by widow of husband who was thrown off bike at Longfield Hill and landed on tar barrels belonging to the council

01 Jan 1917 Belgian Refugees at Hartley Dixmude en omstreken
Joseph Ketele still at Sacristy Cottage, Hartley, details of family

05 Jan 1917 Quarry at Whitehill Road Dartford Chronicle
Another Longfield PC meeting re quarry and allotments

06 Jan 1917 Appeals Against Conscription - Hartley Gravesend Reporter
WKAT - Longfield - Robert Spriggs (40), C1/B1, gardener for Mr Harris at Hartley Manor. Dismissed, but not to be called up for 14 days. Thomas Cecil Stuart, smallholder and poultry farmer, C2. Dismissed

06 Jan 1917 Gravesend Yacht Club VAD Hospital Gravesend Reporter
Yacht Club VAD hospital thanked those contributing to Christmas appeal, including people from Gravesend, Northfleet, Longfield, Hartley and Meopham.

06 Jan 1917 Merton House Kent Messenger
Longfield - choir entertained by Mr and Mrs Cromar of Merton House

12 Jan 1917 Longfield Fire Brigade Dartford Chronicle
Longfield public meeting on allotments, also calls for PC to reform the fire brigade and return the equipment to Longfield Hill. Said they won leading place at Crystal Palace competition, and bad idea to disband them in time of war.

12 Jan 1917 Longfield Church Confirmation Dartford Chronicle
Confirmation service to be at Longfield on 27 March at 3pm

12 Jan 1917 The Longfield Battle Dartford Chronicle
"The Longfield Battle" paper says it is petty and ridiculous "at a time of national stress"

13 Jan 1917 Gravesend Trades Council Oppose Immigration Gravesend Reporter
Gravesend Trades Council oppose plans to introduce coloured labour to UK, urge Labour MPs to oppose

13 Jan 1917 Quarry at Whitehill Road Kent Messenger
Longfield Parish Meeting threatens litigation

13 Jan 1917 Casualties of War - Longfield Kent Messenger
Casualties - killed - Pte J Simes of Longfield, RWK 12427

19 Jan 1917 Call not to Conscript Agrcultural Workers Dartford Chronicle
"Charles English of the Grocery Stores, Hartley was summonsed by Mr Robert William Emmett, solicitor, on behalf of Dennis Clements Edward Danby (14) his stepson, Mr G Clinch appeared for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty. The youth stated that on January 2nd he was on his bicycle, in company with his nurse and a younger brother on the road leading from Dartford Heath to the defendant's grocery stores, which adjoined the Black Lion, when he observed English thrashing his horse with the butt end of his whip, in his opinion in an unmerciful manner. The nurse shouted out to him that it was not the horse's fault, and he (complainant) afterwards called out to him, telling him that he was a "confounded wretch". Defendant then caught hold of him by the collar, and pulled him off his bicycle, throwing him to the ground, when, he knelt upon him and dealt him two or three slight blows across the head, saying that if he said such a thing again he would take the law into his own hands and put his eyes out. Witness afterwards went away on his bicycle. Cross examined - he knew defendant's brother had got into trouble, and it was the common talk of the place. Mr Clinch - "And the parishioners have been jeering at the family. Have you done it yourself?" Complainant - "Once or twice I have done it". In further cross examination he denied using abusive language to the defendant, only that he was a "confounded wretch". Mrs Ethel Bevan of Longfield, who was with her perambulator at the time, said she saw defendant thrashing his horse and the complainant knocked off his bicycle. Afterwards English said "They must not insult everybody". Florence Hodge, nurse to the family stated that she saw defendant thrashing his horse. She exclaimed "If you don't leave off, you awful man, I'll watch you". Defendant complained that Master Dennis had insulted him, and said he would take the law into his own hands. Witness remarked "You have already done so". Defendant replied "Yes I have and I will". Mr Clinch for the defence, said that his client's brother had got into trouble and was being punished, and that was part of the cause of people casting imputations about matters that had nothing to do with them. The horse which defendant used in his grocery van was a 'jibber' and troublesome, but he only chastised it with a small whip. The complainant used strong language, insulted English, and jumped off his bicycle of his own accord, and defendant merely put his hands on his shoulder. English gave evidence and produced a small whip which he said he had used on the horse. The youth called him a _____ cruel beast and dirty fool and, having jumped off his bicycle, hesitated, expecting he would get a box of his ears, and then sat down on the ground, but he (defendant) merely placed his hand on his shoulder and remonstrated with him. He denied knocking him down or kneeling upon him. Richard Woodward, living in a cottage near the Black Lion, Hartley, said that when about 200 yards away he saw complainant get off his bicycle, and sit down in the road, afterwards riding away. He knew the defendant's horse jibbed. A young nephew of the defendant, who takes the horse out with the van, said the animal was a jibber, but h e only used the small whip produced. Mr Emmett intimated that he could call his wife Lady Alexander Emmett, to throw some further light on the case, if the magistrates desired, but the chairman said they had heard sufficient. Having retired, the chairman observed there had been an assualt, and fined defendant 2s 6d."

[Charles's brother had recently been convicted of handling stolen goods, but it appears his innocent family also suffered at the hands of some of the locals. The nominal fine in this case suggests the Magistrates thought Mr English was more sinned against than sinner.]

19 Jan 1917 Appeals Against Conscription - Fairby Construction Company Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - H Humpries (34) of 117 Victoria Street SW explained business of Fairby Construction Co. Given conditional exemption.

20 Jan 1917 Assault at Hartley Gravesend Reporter
"Echoes of Army Boots Case". JW English fined 2s 6d

26 Jan 1917 Toll of the Brave Dartford Chronicle
"Toll of the Brave" whole page of the war dead includes Lance-cpl E J Parsons of Ash and Seaforth Highlanders, killed in action Dec 1916

26 Jan 1917 War Bonds Dartford Chronicle
Paper urges readers to buy war loan at an advantageous rate of interest that would have made a pre-war investor's mouth water. £3,000 raised in Dartord so far not nearly enough "This is a case of you money or your life. Liberty, honour, the peace of Europe are at stake".

26 Jan 1917 Eat Potatoes in their Skins Dartford Chronicle
After poor potato crop, people urged to eat them in their skins to preserve supplies.

27 Jan 1917 Allotments in Gravesend Gravesend Reporter
Writer says many Gravesenders are digging allotments, but mostly middle class "villa" residents. Cllr Porter said he collects rent from 400 houses, only 10% have cultivated gardens, many overgrown. "Never in Gravesend has so much land been turned up with the spade and fork as is being turned up now". 184 applications for allotments, including 5 from women, 100 granted.

27 Jan 1917 Dartford War Agricultural Committee Kent Messenger
Dartford War Agricultural Committee first meeting. Chairman George Day. Labour shortages frequently mentioned, can't cultivate more land without more help, could they use POWs? Need lead from government

01 Feb 1917 Belgian Refugees at Hartley Dixmude en omstreken
Joseph Ketele of Sacristy Cottage, Hartley, details of family

02 Feb 1917 Humphrey - Barham Wedding Dartford Chronicle
Wedding at Hartley between Alice Catherine dau of Mr & Mrs Charles Humphrey of Yew Cottage, Hartley Green and George Ernest Barham of Strood. Bride wore orange dress with veil and orange blossoms, carried bouquet of white crysanths. List of gifts.

02 Feb 1917 War Bonds Dartford Chronicle
"Do it now" editorial. War savings certificate costs 15/6 redeemable for £1 in 5 years time, or there is 3¼% war loan

02 Feb 1917 Appeals Against Conscription - Longfield Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - Exemption for John Cornelius confirmed, George Day said on hearing that army's appeal against Gravesend tribunal's finding on the same person had been lost, that it was one of the stupidest cases they'd seen,

03 Feb 1917 Casualties of War - Southfleet Gravesend Reporter
Inquest on Pte 7421 Alfred Hannaford (32) of Southfleet - suicide due to pain of wounds

03 Feb 1917 Gravesend Volunteer Corps Gravesend Reporter
Gravesend Volunteer Corps now has 150 members, but more as tribunals order exempted men to join. Original members can resign, but new recruits must sign on for war. If you attend 10 drills a month you get a uniform. Idea is they can relieve garrison troops for front

09 Feb 1917 Pigeon Shoot Dartford Chronicle
"War Agricultural Committee for the Rural District of Dartford - the Nation's Food Supply - Pigeon shoot on Wednesday Afternoons 14th, 21st and 28th February 1917, from 3 until dark.

Arrangements are being made for this shoot to take place simultaneously on farms within the above district, and the Agricultural Committee invite the cooperation of persons having guns, and prepared to take part in making the combined effort a success. It is well known that the destruction caused by Woodpigeons amongst corn crops results in a very considerable dimiinution in the yield, and in the present situation of the country's food supply a great effort is needed to reduce this destruction to a minimum. Persons in a position to join this shoot should at once communicate with local farmers. The Agricultural Committee also desire to strongly urge the formation and working of rat and sparrow clubs in the different parishes in the area." Another advert says they are prepared to suspend by-laws against keeping pigs too close to houses.

09 Feb 1917 Snowball Fight at Dartford Dartford Chronicle
Impromptu snowball fight between Australian Soldiers and local girls in Dartford, seemingly enjoyed by all.

09 Feb 1917 Call not to Conscript Agrcultural Workers Dartford Chronicle
W Cobbett Barker of Kent War Agricultural Committee complains of the calling up of farm workers. Kent Farms were already understaffed at outbreak of war, and then 40% of workers went to army or munitions works. Labour members of WKAT said to be unsympathetic because of low agricultural wages.

10 Feb 1917 War Savings - Gravesend Gravesend Reporter
Up to £10,000 per day invested by Gravesenders in War Loan.

16 Feb 1917 Theft at Longfield Dartford Chronicle
Thomas Frederick Bristow of Longfield given 1 month for theft of 7s 6d from till of Mrs Elizabeth Smith of Station Road, Longfield while she went to fetch bloaters (herrings) from back (see also Kent Messenger 17.2.17)

16 Feb 1917 War Savings - Dartford Dartford Chronicle
"Bravo Dartford". War savings campaign raises £180,000 from town

17 Feb 1917 War Savings - Gravesend Gravesend Reporter
War Loan for Gravesend now £270,000. Mayor says this would "show the Germans that we ar e not beaten in a long way in finance".

17 Feb 1917 War Profiteers Kent Messenger
"A farmer's boy" writes to deny farmers are profiteering, wages are up 25%, feed up 150%

17 Feb 1917 Black Lion, Hartley South Eastern Gazette
"At the annual licensing sessions for the Dartford Division, the police reported that the number of public houses in the division was 71, and they had been well conducted. The population was 57,204. 58 persons had been convicted of drunkenness, 27 of them being non-residents.

Alderman Lawrence Mitchell asked why the case of the Black Lion, Hartley had not been mentioned.

Mr George Clinch replied that there had been no conviction at the time the licence was transferred. It seemed that certain stores had found their way from Gravesend to this place, and the former tenant was convicted and sentenced."

22 Feb 1917 Belgian Refugees at Hartley De Stem Uit Belgie
Obituary of Leonie Ketele

23 Feb 1917 Call not to Conscript Agrcultural Workers Dartford Chronicle
Farmers needing ploughmen should apply to KWAC. Will need to pay 25s per week and provide lodging

23 Feb 1917 Eat Potatoes in their Skins Dartford Chronicle
Paper reports that 3lb of potatoes cooked in skin and then peeled weighs 2lb 13oz, if peeled before cooking it only weighs 2lb 6oz

23 Feb 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - W Robson jun (18) of Grafton House, assistant overseer and tax collector - application refused.

23 Feb 1917 Assault at Whitehill Road, Longfield Dartford Chronicle
Walter Holland of 11 Whitehill Road fined 40s for assualt on Mrs Amy Sandeman of Whitehill Road in row over catching rabbits in lucerne field by houses (he had rights to trap them, she the rights to shoot them)

23 Feb 1917 Changes in Conscription Dartford Chronicle
"Will the age go to 50?" Paper explains medical grading. Only grade A conscripts go to the trenches B1/C1 get other military service, B2/C2 labour corps, B3/C3 other national service only.

24 Feb 1917 Blackout Regulations Gravesend Reporter
Military refuse Gravesend BC's request for relaxation in blackout regulations due to number of accidents

24 Feb 1917 Edwin Cheary - Commendation Kent Messenger
"For conspicuous bravery: Lance Corporal E Cheary, 2nd York and Lancs Regiment has been awarded the Military Medal in recognition of valuable services rendered in an isolated trench."

09 Mar 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
WKAT - Walter Robson (18), B1, appeal refused. To be called up in 21 days.

09 Mar 1917 Food Shortages Dartford Chronicle
Editorial - group of women set out to teach servicemen's wives how to cook economically, only to find their audience could teach them, as they'd done it all their lives! So it may be with agriculture. There are plots being let to people in Dartford with no idea how to cultivate them.

10 Mar 1917 War Savings - Gravesend Gravesend Reporter
War Loan - Gravesend now totals £275,000

10 Mar 1917 Servant Wanted Kent Messenger
General Servant wanted - Pipe, Himalaya (=Rochford)

10 Mar 1917 Land for Sale Kent Messenger
3 acres of land with shed for sale £165 - Tate [Oaklands, Church Road]

17 Mar 1917 Food Shortages Gravesend Reporter
Potato shortage not as bad in Gravesend as elsewhere. Shops had sold out by Saturday afternoon with no more expected until Tuesday. But one shop had a plentiful supply on Thursday

17 Mar 1917 Food Shortages Kent Messenger
Gravesend BC calls for potatoless Mondays

17 Mar 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Kent Messenger
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - certificates withdrawn from GV Lynds (24) of Hartley Green, painter; F Young (28) and AT Young (30), papermakers of Hartley

17 Mar 1917 Market Garden Work Wanted Kent Messenger
Lady wants market garden work - "E" Louis Cottage, Hartley

23 Mar 1917 Derilict Land at Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRDC - Derilict land - Rev Stanley Morgan proposed council express regret that KCC's War Ag Committee had not compulsorily acquired derilict land in the district. "Mr Lynds said he had done all he can in his district but acres of land in Hartley were uncultivated and covered in weeds". (See article)

23 Mar 1917 Food Shortages Dartford Chronicle
Lord Davenport the Food Controller requests well off not to buy potatoes as they are in short supply and staple of poor

23 Mar 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - Fairby Construction Co applied for GV Lynds (24) of Hartley and others.

23 Mar 1917 Appeals Against Conscription - Longfield Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - E R Hoadley (18) of Middleton Farm, horseman, given 2 month's exemption

23 Mar 1917 Conscription Policy Dartford Chronicle
Papers says what's the point of tribunals calling up men in low medical categories, who are unlikely to be ever enlisted.

24 Mar 1917 Poor Treatment of Serviceman's Wife Gravesend Reporter
Letter from PC "one doing his bit" - joined in 1914, he found wife's allowance from Gravesend BC watch committee reduced from 5s 5d to 1s 1½d because government pays 3s 6d. His wife has to struggle to pay all on 20s 6d per week.. Single men in force were getting 8s per week until Chief Constable said enlist or resign.

24 Mar 1917 Archbishop Criticised for Allowing Sunday Working Kent Messenger
Paper challenges archbishop of Canterbury allowing people to work on Sundays, it is a matter of personal conscience, does necessity know no law? Like Germans if they say ends justify means

30 Mar 1917 Potato Queue in Dartford Dartford Chronicle
"Potato queue in Dartford - an unusual scene" - Underhills had ample supply when everyone else was sold out, hence queue They served an estimated 6,000 with 2lb each at the regulation price.

31 Mar 1917 Food Shortages Gravesend Reporter
"The sugar shortage continues to cause much anxiety among housewives". Only available on certain days "The Germans and their submarines are teaching us frugality". Being sold in ¼ lbs - unheard of before.

31 Mar 1917 Assault at Whitehill Road, Longfield Kent Messenger
Walter Holland of Whitehill Road fined 40s for assaulting Mrs Amny Sandeman in dispute over rabbits

31 Mar 1917 Food Shortages - Gravesend Kent Messenger
For most of week potatoes unobtainable in Gravesend, general shortage of vegetables, rush when som available

31 Mar 1917 Longfield Church Confirmation Kent Messenger
24 confirmed at Longfield Church, mostly women and most from Longfield with a few from neighbouring parishes

06 Apr 1917 Paper Salvage Dartford Chronicle
Advert by Ingress Paper Mills - "Save your waste paper and obtain money to buy food"

06 Apr 1917 Longfield's Troubles Dartford Chronicle
"Longfield's Troubles" - row over minute book at PC meeting ends with clerk having to spend all night transcribing minutes of public meetings into minute book, in the presence of PS Binfield and volunteers. But as lamp was broken took him well into the next day. Book was then to be handed to police. Also complaints that poster for people to ask for seed potatoes was put up too late to be any good. Min of Ag to visit allotments (see also "Longfield minute book seized KM 7.4.17)

06 Apr 1917 Appeals Against Conscription - Fairby Construction Company Dartford Chronicle
WKAT - Fairby Construction Co appliy for George Victor Lynds (24) and others. They were told to get men badged in proper way in next 14 days. Firm makes aeroplane hangars at Longfield.

07 Apr 1917 Appeals Against Conscription - Fairby Construction Company Gravesend Reporter
WKAT - Fairby Construction Co - other names Percy Taylor (28), George Bray (30), Alfred Mundy (29), Frederick Jellis (28), Frederick Scoot (28) (see article)

13 Apr 1917 Soldiers Available for Farm Work Dartford Chronicle
KWAC write to say soldiers are available for farm work.

13 Apr 1917 Longfield PC Minute Book Taken Dartford Chronicle
Summons granted to Longfield PC for 3 people accused of seizing minute book at annual parish meeting.

14 Apr 1917 Food Shortages Gravesend Reporter
Mr Kennedy Jones tells paper that stern economy is needed to make bread and wheat flour last until next harvest. Eat 1lb less bread per week. But substitutes must not soar in price as butter and haricot beans have. Lord Davenport should consult poor housewives more.

14 Apr 1917 Bargains in Bungalows Kent Messenger
"Bargains in bungalows and land on the Kent hills at Fawkham [Hartley]; £10 deposit will purchase an acre, £50 deposit a cottage; several lots of Farm buildings and woodland for sale, close to the station; ladn from £30 an acre - Small Owners Ltd, Hartley Estate, Fawkham"

20 Apr 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - P Harris (41) of St Margaret, Manor Dirve, poultry and fruit farmer, given 2 month exemption

20 Apr 1917 Sewage in Longfield Area Dartford Chronicle
DRDC - medical officer said cesspools sometimes overlowed onto roads in Longfield, while people dump ashes on waste ground. Committee to see if Longfield, Ash and neighbouring villages could combine for sanitary purposes. War Agricultrual committee has told Longfield PC not to evict allotment holders.

21 Apr 1917 Sickness Benefits Gravesend Reporter
DRDC - to pay 20s per week less payments under insurance act for first 3 months of sickness for employees.

21 Apr 1917 Plots for sale at Kent and Essex Roads, Longfield Gravesend Reporter
Kent and Essex Land and General Investment Company will sell at Railway Tavern on 26/4/1917 plots in Kent Road, Essex Road and Fawkham Road for small dwellings (photocopy of KM 21.4.17)

21 Apr 1917 Memorial Service for Recent War Dead at Longfield Church Kent Messenger
Longfield church well filled to remember 3 recent casualties James Caller, John Simes and Frederick Cherry. Appropriate hymns, ending with Dead March in Saul played by organist Mr Cromar

21 Apr 1917 Homefield, Stack Lane and Contents for Sale Kent Messenger
"Home Care, Hartley near Longfield. About 1 mile from Fawkham Railway Station

Messrs Prall and Prall (Mr H Alexander Prall FSI) will sell by auction upon the premises as above, on Wednesday April 25th, 1917 at 2 o'clock precisely, the household furniture and effects.

Comprising brass and iron bedsteads, bedding, bedroom furniture, carpets, rugs, linoleums, fenders, fireirons, lamps, couch and easy chairs in saddlebags, velvet and leather, walnut and other sideboards, tables and chairs, mahogany bookcase, two oak rolltop desks, kitchen tables and utensils, china and glass, quantity of silver plate, 4 wheeled phaeton, 2 sets cob harness, 2 saddles, ladders, lawn mower, garden and carpenter's tools and miscellaneous effects....

The premises are for sale or to let...."

27 Apr 1917 Cleared of Food Control Allegation Dartford Chronicle
Case against Thomas R Hamilton, farmer of Ash, dismissed. Accused of selling Dalhousie Potatoes at 12s 6d per cwt to William Nash, greengrocer of Gravesend. This is £12.10s per ton when food controller's price was £10.10s. It appears that the date of sale and delivery were key

28 Apr 1917 Longfield Council Troubles Kent Messenger
"Longfield Council Troubles"

28 Apr 1917 Food Control Case at Ash Kent Messenger
Thomas B Hamilton of Ash fined £6 for selling potatoes

28 Apr 1917 Longfield Council Troubles Kent Messenger
A number of summonses at Dartford Police Court dismissed without costs following row at Longfield Parish Council meeting.

04 May 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - Henry G Green (40) of Hartley Green, B1, market gardener and boot maker with 3 children and 5 acres of land, given 1 month exemption

05 May 1917 Land at Church Road, Hartley to let Kent Messenger
"To let 1½ acres, well planted fruit trees and bushes, fowl houses and runs, situated Church Road, Hartley, Longfield, Kent - apply Stevenson, Middlesex Canteen, Mill Hill, NW7" [Ashleigh, Church Road]

12 May 1917 Non Conformist Ministers Teach in Anglican Schools Gravesend Reporter
Rev S J Poole (CofE) writes to support non-conformist ministers doing national service by teaching in CofE school after being criticised by "A Parent" in a previous edition of the paper

13 May 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Kent Messenger
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - appeals dismissed - K H Glover (18), ploughman and horseman, Hartley

18 May 1917 Employing a Deserter Dartford Chronicle
EC Powder Company fined 20s for employing a deserter unwitingly

18 May 1917 Disenfranchising those on Benefits Dartford Chronicle
Dartford Guardians support motion to change law that says those on parish relief can't vote. Proposed by Mrs Ling

18 May 1917 Fined for Selling Fresh Bread Dartford Chronicle
Alice and Frederick Webster of Ash accused of selling bread less than 12 hours old. Policeman said he saw FW delivering bread in Ash Street at 12.45pm, defendant admitted it had been baked at 9am. Mrs Webster had 6 loaves in her shop, 3 were new. Mr Webster said he only delivered 3 times a week. Case against AW dismissed, FW fined small sum of 5s because his business is small (in another edition it is said some bakers were getting extra trade by selling new bread at expense of those following regulations)

18 May 1917 Surface Water Problems at Fawkham Dartford Chronicle
DRDC - council buys land in Fawkham for £110 to deal with surface water.

18 May 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - KH Glover, Hartley Bottom Farm, ploughman and horseman, declared to have been discharged after 1 day as totally disabled for military service. Request by military refused.

19 May 1917 Northfleet Bin Men Check for Food Waste Gravesend Reporter
Northfleet UDC dustmen find bread in many people's bins and tell them off with noticeable effect. Bormley woman fined £5 for putting bread in the bin.

19 May 1917 Calls to Plough up Golf Club Kent Messenger
Mid Kent Golf Club in Gravesend reject calls to plough it up sayng they are doing their bit by grazing 500-600 sheep on its 113 acres

19 May 1917 Frederick Welch of Castle Hill Kent Messenger
Letter from Frederick Welch of Hartley about useful birds

25 May 1917 Theft at Longfield Dartford Chronicle
Jane Bennett, married of New Barn Cottages, Longfield, fined 10s for stealing broccoli at Longfield Hill farm

26 May 1917 Wounded Soldiers Arrive at Gravesend Gravesend Reporter
170 wounded arrive by train at Gravesend Central station to be distributed among local hospitals

26 May 1917 Calls to Plough up Grassland Kent Messenger
Henry Parker of Longfield writes to support ploughing of grassland for wheat

26 May 1917 Obituary of Ronald Charles Foster Kent Messenger
"The death occurred at Longfield on the 10th inst of Ronald Charles Foster, only child of Mr and Mrs C Foster of Station Road. The funeral took places at Longfield Parish Church, when the Rev E Smith officiated, and numbers of relatives were in attendance. The children from Hartley school with their teachers lined the path to the church doors, adn after the service the children sang 'Gentle Jesus meek and mild' (little Ronnie's favourite hymn) and each one dropped a bunch of primroses into the grave. Miss Fiddis, the school mistress, was at the organ. Many floral tributes were sent. Ronnie was only in his 7th year, and his father is serving with the Royal West Kents in India."

01 Jun 1917 Food Economy Exhibition at Dartford Dartford Chronicle
Food economy exhibition at Dartford Cooperative Hall to be opened by MP James Rowlands on 4 June

01 Jun 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Ash Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - Fred Goodwin (28) of Ash, A, hay and corn merchant. He said he had 66 acres under cultivation and had just agreed with Kent War Ag to plough another 20 acres for cereals. He had 3 brothers who had joined up. Given 3 months exemption.

02 Jun 1917 Poor Attendance at Meopham Church after Bombing Gravesend Reporter
Vicar of Meopham gives thanks in sermon that no-one in parish harmed by recent bombing (German "frightfulness"), however surprised that so few of those living in parts of parish not affected not in church.

02 Jun 1917 Air Raid Casualties - Northfleet Gravesend Reporter
Northfleet teacher killed in raid on Folkestone

08 Jun 1917 Infant Mortality Dartford Chronicle
DUDC - Cllr W J Bourne (Lab) said government wasn't interested in infant mortality before the war and is only interested now because of the depletion caused by the war.

09 Jun 1917 No Air Raid Warning at Gravesend Gravesend Reporter
Recent air raid close to Gravesend during the day, no warning, people only knew when military called to barracks. Told siren will be provided in future

09 Jun 1917 Parliamentary Boundary Commission Gravesend Reporter
Boundary review - Gravesend may have to take some areas of Dartford to bring electors up to 70,000

09 Jun 1917 British Workers League at Gravesend Gravesend Reporter
British Workers League meeting at Gravesend attracts 1,500. Mr Macaillin spoke of profiteering sanctioned by Food Controller at expense of poor, called for more democratic control. Many asked him to speak again.

[The BWL appears to be a short lived far right anti-pacifist party]

09 Jun 1917 Gravesend Yacht Club VAD Hospital Gravesend Reporter
Yacht Club VAD hospital has 1,250 patients, given motor ambulance by licensed victuallers, chairman of hospital - transport a problem for 8½ hospitals in district, relied on private vehicles

09 Jun 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Kent Messenger
Conscription - applications for exemption by Charles English and others (see article)

15 Jun 1917 Food Hoarding at New Barn Dartford Chronicle
Ellis Culling of Maycote, New Barn, fined £5 for food hoarding. PS Binfield asked why he had 2 cwt of sugar. He said he ordered this amount every year. Court said there were no food regulations then.

15 Jun 1917 Appeals Against Conscription - Longfield Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - Ernest R Hoadley (18) ploughman of Red Cow Farm, employed by Rural Development Co, who had undertaken to plough more land if they could keep him, given 2 months exemption

15 Jun 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - Henry G Green (40), market gardener and bootmaker, B1. Said to be tilling 5 acres, Chmn George Day said some could get as much out of 1 acre as 10 acres - 2 months' exemption

15 Jun 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - Charles English (27), The Stores, said there was no other retailer for 7 miles, worked from morning to midnight and did bookkeeping on Sundays - 3 months exemption

16 Jun 1917 Primus Stoves Wanted Kent Messenger
Primus Stoves wanted - Bartels

20 Jun 1917 Frederick Welch of Castle Hill Daily Mirror
Letter from Frederick Welch of Hartley about useful birds

22 Jun 1917 National Baby Week Dartford Chronicle
National Baby Week - paper reminds readers that 6.9% of babies die within 1 month. Baby show at Wilmington

22 Jun 1917 House in Longfield Struck by Lightning Dartford Chronicle
Lightning in violent storm at 3pm on Tuesday struck Closeburn in Longfield, James Kirk the owner was unhurt but description of passage of bolt through house.

23 Jun 1917 Rector of Milton Calls for Bombing Germany Gravesend Reporter
Rector of Milton Church calls for reprisals to air raids - real and ruthless, no half measures. He thought if they could destroy a German town they would give up bombing England.

23 Jun 1917 The Thunderstorm: Curious Effects at Longfield Kent Messenger
"On Tuesday afternoon a violent thunderstorm vistited Longfield and the vicinity, leaving some traces of its visit. Just about 3 o'clock a particularly heavy charge of the electric fluid seemed to burst upon the Rectory Meadow, cauing some alarm to the occupants of the Rectory, and then crosing the road, struck the chimney stack on the eastern side of "Closeburn" the residence of Mr J F Kirk, chruchwarden. To those who saw it there appeared to be a ball of ire settling on the chimney top, a thunderbolt, as some described it, and some of the callers afterwards looked about for the "bolt". This appearance was probably caused by the intense het produced by the shock striking the obstructing chimney pot, and burning the small amount of soot recently collected there, giving an appearance of fire and smoke. A meteoric bolt might have a similar appearance, though due to a very different cause. The force in its efforts to reach the earth seems to have travelled down the kitchen chimney, and burst open the kitchen range, hurling a saucepan across the room, but not finding conductive material, travelled back by the hot water pipes to the termination on the non-conducting tiles over the kitchen sink, where, being blocked again, it burnt through a wall the pantry, where it threw down and smashed 3 egg cups which stood in its way, doing no other damage there, and escaping by the iron fastening, through the window to an iron rain pipe, into an iron water tank, through an iron pail standing against it, and so to earth. The structural damage appears to be not so great as might be expected from the severity of the shock, owing no doubt to the substantial building, and no serious personal injury was suffered by anyone, the two occupants both being in a room on the western side of the house, although slight shocks were felt by neighbours a furlong or more away. The owner himself had just laid down the volume of Sir Walter Scott's which he was reading, and gone off into his afternoon doze, unconscious of the storm, from which he was awakened by the noise of the explosion and the crash of the falling bricks on tiles and the conservatory glass. His first thought was 'bombs', and he threw himself face downwards on the floor beside the dining table, as being the most secure position, until the uproar ceased. Great consternation and alarm were caused amongst the children in the school, about 50 yards away, and the teacher had to make great efforts to pacify them. Many sympathetic neighbours made kind enquiries and offered assistance, which was gratefully acknowledged A motor car which was passing along the road at the time had its roof damaged."

23 Jun 1917 Fruit holding for Sale Kent Messenger
"Fruit for sale, about 1½ acres. Young plantation, strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants, apples, pears, what offers? Nairn, builder, The Elms, Church Road, Hartley"

30 Jun 1917 Conscientious Objectors - Dartford Gravesend Reporter
FL Lintrott of Swanscombe says he received a lot of letters of support for letter of 26/5 where he criticised DRDC for employing a CO on tar spraying roads. Other workers supported by refusing to work with man wounded in war because his mother made her feelings known to the CO.

30 Jun 1917 Votes for Women Gravesend Reporter
Women's Suffrage vote. Kent MPs were 8 for (incl Ernest Lamb, G F Hohler, James Rowlands), against 2 (Col CE Warde, Lawrence Hardy), 4 abstained or were absent (incl Philip Sassoon)

06 Jul 1917 Sugar Hoarding at Longfield Dartford Chronicle
John Joseph Hickmott of Longfield Court fined £20 for sugar hoarding. He had ordered 1 cwt from Martineaus in London, who were his tenants. He said he needed it for 7 acres of fruit to make jam. Mrs Hickmott said she got sugar from local grocer for domestic purposes.

[Also mentioned in Daily Express, 30.6.1917]

06 Jul 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - James E Pepper (35), poultry farm manager, graded B1 after being rejected, said to be 96lb, under 5 feet tall and had rheumatism. George Day said "excellent for flying corps". Request refused, to be called up in 28 days.

06 Jul 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - John Boorman (41), gardener and milker at Hartley Court, married with 7 children, previously graded C3 and now B2. Given 3 months to get employment on a farm.

07 Jul 1917 Seamen Strike to Prevent Peace Conference Gravesend Reporter
Gravesend Trades and Labour Council criticise Seamen's Union for 'illegal' strike to stop Ramsay MacDonald attending peace conference.

07 Jul 1917 Rector of Milton Calls for Bombing Germany Gravesend Reporter
John Lewis of Windmill Street writes criticising Rector of Milton for letter - "The spectacle of a servant of our Lord, his hands red with the blood of slaughtered children is not an inspiring one".

07 Jul 1917 Longfield Roads Kent Messenger
"Sir - Attention was drawn in your columns last season to the fact that the main roads through Longfield were being treated with tar, such treatment being held under the then existing abnormal war conditions to be quite unnecessary. It seems hardly credible that while those same conditions still hold, and in fact, from an agricutural point of view, are considerably worse, this work is again in hand, and ten or more able bodied men who might be on the land are engaged on, to put it gently, less urgent work. It must be borne in mind that the through traffic on thse roads is a negligible quantity, and the necessity of dealing with the surface, so far as the local needs go, does not exist. Then why is it done? Is it not a law of the Medes and Persians that this job must be done annually? Or is it that the road surveyor and his staff must do something to justify their existence? If the latter, then for reason's sake, let the authorities pay these gentlemen a small retaining fee, and set them free to turn their hand to some work that will either help to win the war, or ease the oft-times crushing burden of those who are already so engaged.

As a local ratepayer who thinks he gets little enough for his sufficiently high half-yearly contribution to the local rates. I am glad to see the roads kept decently, but as a common citizen who finds that 2 ounces of bread do not to very far at tea time, I cannot stand to see waste of time, energy and money that might and should be turned to food production. Yours faithfully, J W Lawson, Clevis, Longfield July 4th, 1917".

07 Jul 1917 £45 Fine for 1 Cwt of Sugar Kent Messenger
"At Dartford Police Court on Friday, Joseph Hickmott, Longfield Court, Longfield, was summoned under the Food Hoarding Order for acquiring sugar exceeding in quantity that required for ordinary use.

There was also a summons against the managing director of Messrs Martineau, sugar refiners of Mile End E for selling the sugar.

PS Binfield said on June 16th he went to Longfield Court, and saw 1 cwt of white crystal sugar, which Mr Hickmott said Messrs Martineau had obliged him with for preserving. Messrs Martineau were his tenants, adn he supposed the cost would be deducted from the rent. He had 7 acres of fruit, and would require the sugar to make it into jam. On June 18th, Mr Eastick, the other defendant, told him that as Mr Hickmott was the owner of their business premises, they felt they were morally bound to supply the sugar. The Sugar Commission's solicitors examined the books quarterly. The price would be 47s per cwt and carriage extra.

The defence was that the sugar was required solely for jam.

Mr Hickmott was fined £20 and Mr Eastick £25."

13 Jul 1917 Locals see German Raid on London Dartford Chronicle
German raid on London last Saturday witnessed by thousands in the district.

13 Jul 1917 Conscientious Objectors - DRDC Road Workers Dartford Chronicle
DRDC - Swanscombe PC calls for conscientious objector employed by DRDC to be sacked. Council refuses but said his pay is pegged to that of soldier.

14 Jul 1917 Conscientious Objectors - Swanscombe Gravesend Reporter
Rev Coleridge of Swanscombe told Swanscombe PC that he thought no truly religious person could be conscientious objector (DRDC chairman had said most were the salt of the earth)

14 Jul 1917 Rector of Milton Calls for Bombing Germany Gravesend Reporter
Rev GW Mennie of Milton said, yes, he would carry out reprisals, if he were younger he would have joined up. He is excused by it being a "righteous war"

14 Jul 1917 Gravesend Council Calls for Bombing Germany Kent Messenger
Gravesend BC votes for reprisal air raids on Germany

14 Jul 1917 Longfield Roads Kent Messenger
Sir, Your correspondent last week, writing under the above heading remarks that agricultural work is of greater importance that road making or repairing. I beg to differ. What are the roads for? Are they not for transport? And road transport is becoming increasingly important now. How many hundreds of wounded men have travelled along the road from Longfield to Dartford. Ask any of them if the road was in need of repairs. I have experienced several rides in an ambulance, and can say that our roads are not in good condition at all for the transport of wounded men. Think of the many anti-aircraft guns that need ammunition etc more so now that the German raids are frequent. These reasons alone class road reparing as a work of national importance. But there are others, which perhaps are of more importance. Lord Roberts warned us to be prepared, but every failure in this war has proved we have not taken his advice.

Had we prepared a more elaborat plan of transport / road making etc, the Dardenelles and the Mesopotamia etc campaigns would not have turned out as they did.

Have ot these muddles, shown us the value of being prepared? Why hasn't the government stopped road repairing? Because it sees what a great part our roads will play when Germany, realising that she is 'done' will vent her spite on England, and Kent will very probably bear the brunt of the attack. Then it will be seen that every inch of good road will be of the utmost importance in aiding us to check them.

And my I add that the 10 men mentioned as employed on the Longfield roads are, I believe, all over military age. Three of them have been employed at road work for upwards of 30 years, one has three, one two and two have their only sons serving their King and country. Yours Truly - A son of one of them."

14 Jul 1917 Rural Library Scheme in Gravesend Kent Messenger
Proposals for rural library scheme based at Gravesend Library, to be sent in special boxes that can be used as shelves to local schools and rooms. 1,000 children's books 400 novels 2,000 technical books already earmarked for scheme

14 Jul 1917 Hartley - Food Production Activities Kent Messenger
"The recommendations of the Board of Agriculture as to fruit preserving and potato spraying are being taken up with enthusiasm. On Tuesday 3rd inst, 8 cwts of sugar for jam making were distributed by Miss Fiddis, the village registrar, with the assistance of Mrs Tate and Miss Braybook, in lots averaging about 20lbs each. Fruit preserving bottles to the number of 172 dozen have been ordered by the Hartley Agricultural Cooperative Society for local distribution. Potato spraying and supplies of chemicals have been organised by Mr Frank Tate, and this work is being carried out. Demonstrations of fruit bottling are being arranged for, and a food economy exhibition and vegetable show have been suggested."

14 Jul 1917 Dog Fight over Thames Estuary Kent Messenger
Dog fight (term not used) between British and German planes seen in Thames area near Dartford at 10.50 am on Saturday as Germans returned from London. 30 planes involved.

14 Jul 1917 Patriotic Entertainment at Longfield Kent Messenger
Patriotic entertainment at Longfield, run by Mr and Mrs Fielder on 4/5 July raises £65 for wounded and Gravesend VAD hospital

20 Jul 1917 Parliamentary Boundary Commission Dartford Chronicle
Boundary Review - Boundary Commission had proposed a Dartford seat consisting of the urban and rural district councils which would make a compact seat. But now counter proposal is to add DRDC to Bromley RDC area, paper doesn't think much of the idea of having Keston and Swanscombe in the same seat. Dartford town would then go with Erith, Crayford and Bexley.

20 Jul 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - W Macauley (37), poultry farmer and working at EC Powder Works. Adjourned for medical

20 Jul 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - Percy Harris (37), poultry farmer and former organ builder, had 4 acres but not all under cultivation because he said someone who was going to plough it had let him down. Medical examination showed his health was not improving. Given 6 months exemption.

20 Jul 1917 Gravesend Hospital Kent Messenger
"The Heroes' Bed Unveiled at Gravesend Hospital

The scene was the Tingey Ward of the Gravesend Hospital; time Tuesday evening. The function was sweet in its simplicity. A little knot of people gathered round No 9 cot. Save for the gilt chain of the Mayor, the whitel surplice of Canon Gedge, and the blue and white uniforms of the military invalids who stood hard by, there was little to give the ceremony colour. Yet behind it all was the golden thought and generosity of the people of the district for their brave warriors. By pulling a tri-coloured tape, the Mayor removed teh folds of the Union Jack beside the cot, and this revealed simply the words 'Heroes' Bed' pickout out in red letters on a white background. If there is glitter in the words, there was none in the lettering.

Behind this little function a tale can be told. When the war began - alas! How long ago those days seem - it was the thought of Mr H D Stephenson JP, Chairman of the Hospital Committee, that it would be appropriate to endow a bed in honour and memory of those who volunteered in Gravesend and district to serve their king and country. An appeal was made and from the 310 subscribers a total of £526 10s was received. The advent of conscription detracted in a degree from the original conception, but nevertheless it is the committee's intention to preserve the bed for the volunteer warriors for preference, though of course, it will be used for others when necessity arises. The £526 has been invested in war bonds, and this sum will assist the funds of the hospital to the amount of £27 per annum......" [List of those attending, Mayor's speech]

21 Jul 1917 Who are the Profiteers? Gravesend Reporter
"The producers of food deny that they are, adn the vendors declare their innocence of being the guilty people. We have no information to enable us to decide between the two, but we may relate two incidents which have been communicated to us. When lettuces were being sold at 2d and 3d each in the Gravesend Greengrocers' shops a jobbing gardener, who had an abundance of lettuce ready to cut, and who thought he might become a profiteer in a small way, cut a hundred and hawked them round to the greengrocers' shops. The highest price that was offered was 5d per dozen, so that assuming the greengrocer sold them at 2d each there would be a clear profit of 1s 7d per dozen, or nearly 300%. In an adjacent village a local fruit vendor offered a cottager with plenty of blackcurrants 3½d per pound, the cottager to do all the picking. At the same time blackcurrants were being sold in Gravesend at 8d per pound - a clear profit on such a transaction of over 100%. We simply record these facts, but make no comments. Indeed, comment would be superfluous."

21 Jul 1917 Parliamentary Boundary Commission Kent Messenger
Boundary enquiry at Maidstone - for Dartford and Erith seat: Mr Ling (NW Kent Labour), Mr Weller (Bromley RDC), Stone and Swanscombe (reportedly), Mr Bourne (Dartford Trades Council). Against: F Beadle (Dartford Conservatives)

21 Jul 1917 Appeals Against Conscription - Longfield Kent Messenger
Conscripton - applications for exemption from 4 Longfield men (see article)

21 Jul 1917 Assault at Fawkham Kent Messenger
Mrs Ethel Pankhurst was walking back to Hillside Cottages, Fawkham, where she lived from Dene Bottom Farm where she worked, when attacked by Arthur Sampson of Crayford, a deserter from army who took her by neck and threw her to ground. Thomas Wilson Crouch of Longfield, coal merchant, and his brother heard cries and gave chase, caught Sampson in wheatfield in Horton Kirby.

27 Jul 1917 Air Raid Precautions - Dartford Dartford Chronicle
Dartford UDC rescind decision of 24/6 not to give air raid warning. Siren on electricity works tested and will be used. Take cover will be 50 second blast follwed by 3 x 5 second blasts 5 seconds apart.

27 Jul 1917 Rector of Milton Calls for Bombing Germany Dartford Chronicle
"Gravesender" writes to support Rector of Milton. Writer was "more German than English" to write such a letter and hasn't lost anyone in an air raid.

27 Jul 1917 Parliamentary Boundary Commission Dartford Chronicle
Boundary Commission proposals are for (1) Dartford UDC and RDC; (2) Orpington and the Crays. Dartford Conservatives in favour, Labour wanted a Dartford, Erith, Crayford and Swanscombe seat. Commissioners have apparently been told to combine rural and industrial areas.

28 Jul 1917 Parliamentary Boundary Commission Gravesend Reporter
Boundary Commission Enquiry at Maidstone on Tuesday. Dartford/Erith option supported by NW Kent Labour Party (Dartford has always been centre for Erith); Bromley RDC & Chislehurst UDC (no interest with Erith); Dartford Trades Council; Sevenoaks Conservatives (want Dartford RDC/Bromley RDC to be one seat, Erith has no interest with BRDC). For Dartford UDC/RDC seat - Stone and Swanscombe; Dartford & NW Kent Liberal Assn (Dartford-Erith would be 103,000 too large); Dartford Conservatives (said area's population increase permanent not temporary war)

28 Jul 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Gravesend Reporter
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - W Macauley (37), military rep appealed against exemption on grounds he'd changed his job. He was South African colonist who'd come over to take up poultry farming on behalf of mother and invalid sister. Too hard for him due to effects of enteric fever, so got job at EC Powder Works "as he thought he would be doing better service for the country". Told to go to medical board.

28 Jul 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Gravesend Reporter
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - F Harris (32) St Margaret, vegetable, fruit and poultry farmer, C2. 6 months exemption

04 Aug 1917 Gravesend Yacht Club VAD Hospital Gravesend Reporter
Poem of thanks from patient at Gravesend Yacht Club VAD hospital

04 Aug 1917 Taking Souvenirs from Crashed Plane Kent Messenger
9 people fined £1 each at Dartford for taking souvenirs from crashed British plane at Slade Green.

10 Aug 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - case of W Macauley (37) dismissed

10 Aug 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Longfield Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - F Lynds (23) of Essex Road, Longfield. Only man assisting Mr Nairn of Hartley. Given conditional exemption because of his invalid mother.

11 Aug 1917 Farm Workers Leave for Better Pay Gravesend Reporter
Rural Development Company complains that DRDC is trying to get farm hands to work on roads, by offering higher wages than farm work. Denied by council.

11 Aug 1917 More Arable Farming in Kent Gravesend Reporter
Plans for 216,000 acres of corn in Kent for 1918 up 78,000 acres from 1916.

11 Aug 1917 Meopham v Longfield Cricket Kent Messenger
Cricket at Meopham Green - Meopham 50 Longfield and District 21 (full cards in paper)

11 Aug 1917 Plane Lands in Longfield Kent Messenger
Longfield "Down from above - great excitement caused in the village on Sunday evening by the descent of a large aeroplane which after many attempts to make a fresh start, finally alighted in the field opposite the Railway Tavern, where it stayed for the night under the charge of a military guard."

17 Aug 1917 Ludicrous Longfield Dartford Chronicle
"Ludicrous Longfield - who is clerk to the council" reminds paper of Alice in Wonderland. Walter Wright [1869-1952] found he'd been sacked when he went to book schoolroom for PC meeting to be told by rector that he wasn't clerk, so can't accept booking and that Urban Judge [1851-1929] had been appointed. Each faction on council supports one or other. Numbers are equal. [There may be other factors at work here, the 1911 Census records that Walter's wife Marie was German, however it is likeliest that his standing up to the powerful was the reason. It is interesting to note that in 1942 he was sacked by Hartley PC on highly dubious grounds, again he had recently stood up to Captain Bignell, then it was Urban's son Leonard Urban Judge (1899-1968) who took his place. Walter Wright led a varied life, he was born at Langham, Norfolk and learned carpentry from his uncle; in 1901 he was a carpenter at Bridgnorth, Salop, but by 1911 he had moved to Longfield as a nurseryman. In 1939 he gave his occupation as journalist.]

17 Aug 1917 Dangerous Driving at Ash Road Dartford Chronicle
Edward Arthur Nash (17) employee of Brent Laundry fined £3 for dangerous driving of laundry van on Ash Road (see article)

17 Aug 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
Conscription - application for exemption by HC Green (see article)

18 Aug 1917 Food Shortages - Gravesend Kent Messenger
Milk shortage for several weeks in Gravesend. Now to lose milk of 100 cows (225 gallons) due to loss of herd from Chalk

24 Aug 1917 Burglary at Station Road, Longfield Dartford Chronicle
Albert William High (13) of Essex Road, Longfield accused of breaking into F T Hicks's shop at Station Road, and stealing biscuits, sweets and cigarettes worth 35/-, on 3 occasions. Police followed trail of red ochre to his father's stables. Mother left some years ago, father said was too busy carrying coal for Metropolitan Asylums Board. Case adjourned to get father. Later he was sent to County Industrial School until he turns 16.

24 Aug 1917 Lighting Pipe in Longfield Explosives Factory Dartford Chronicle
Thomas Dunn (71) of 1 EC Cottages, Bean fined £5 or 14 days for smoking a pipe at EC Powder Works in Longfield. He had worked there 20 years with unblemished record. He said it was for toothache.

24 Aug 1917 Food Regulations Dartford Chronicle
Details of DORA food regulations. Bread - can't be sold for 12 hours, must be 1 piece, extraction rate increased to 81%. Maximum prices for wheat at 78s per 480lb quarter.

25 Aug 1917 Heavy Rain at Meopahm Kent Messenger
5.58 inches of rain has fallen in Meopham in 3 days 30 July - 1 Aug. Rain in Thames Valley has had bad effect on corn crops

31 Aug 1917 Gales Cause Damage to Crops Dartford Chronicle
Gales cause damage to crops, apples etc blown to the ground, corn flattened. "Harvest prospects have been rendered deplorable". Another article said rain was so heavy people knocked on doors in Dartford thinking it was a thunderclap.

31 Aug 1917 Poor Harvest Expected Dartford Chronicle
Harvest prospects (poor quality microfilm). One of the worst seeding periods in history has been followed by unfavourable harvest. Better weather early in August but followed by heavy rain and gales. Corn is too twisted and broken to use cutters. Discoloured straw and sprouting corn predicted. Harvest will be late which is usually bad. Very poor crop forecast.

31 Aug 1917 Minimum Wage for Farm Workers Dartford Chronicle
Minimum wage of 25/- for farm workers set by Parliament.

01 Sep 1917 Gravesend Hospital Gravesend Reporter
Gravesend Hospital Pound Day - donations may be left at GW Bancks Hartley Rectory, Mrs Day, Ash etc

01 Sep 1917 Fawkham Soldier Wounded Kent Messenger
Casualties - wounded - 70470 Gunner J Morphew of Forge House, Fawkham

01 Sep 1917 Sugar Cards at Gravesend Kent Messenger
Gravesend - details for issue of sugar cards, application forms from Post Office to be returned to Food Office by 6/10. Scheme to start 1 Jan. "Sugar in its many forms, is just now a substance somewhat conspicuous by its absence"

01 Sep 1917 Servants' Registry Kent Messenger
Mr Pipe of Himalaya Bungalow [Rochford, Church Road], Hartley, Longfield advertises for housemaid, kitchenmaid, between maid, general servant for seaside [presumably he is running some kind of agency]

07 Sep 1917 Profiteering Dartford Chronicle
Editorial about profiteers. Word is a product of the war, used glibly by many. Paper says everyone is a profiteer in their own way e.g. wages, and people are not always criticising the right targets, only the ones they immediately deal with.

08 Sep 1917 Estate of Walter Robson Gravesend Reporter
Executor notice for claims against estate of Walter Robson of Grafton House, who died on 5.5.17, will proved 20.6.17

15 Sep 1917 Profiteering Gravesend Reporter
"Distracted Housewife" writes to say government promise of reduction in price of meat has had no effect locally. Her weekly joint cost the same, prices not prominently displayed as they are supposed to but 'pasted up in obscure corners'. Prices of clothes, hardware and other necessaries also too high. She blames profiteers, notes many butchers have recently bought cars.

21 Sep 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - C English (27, A) The Stores, Hartley, given 3 months exemption, ER Hoadley (18) 1 month (of Middleton Farm, horseman)

21 Sep 1917 Fined for Selling Fresh Bread Dartford Chronicle
Frederick Webster, Fawkham Green, fined 40/- or 14 days for selling bread less than 12 hours old, DRDC inspector found loaves on him at Ash. FW said they would be that old by the time he'd delivered them. DRDC solicitor said most bakers were "patriotic" and obeyed DORA order, but complained they had lost business to those flouting the rules.

21 Sep 1917 Sale of Rural Development Company Stock Dartford Chronicle
"Mr Philip Champion has been instructed by The Rural Development Company Ltd, to sell by auction at the above address on Monday October 1, 1917 at 11.30am the live and dead farming stock comprising: 9 powerful cart horses, 2 cobs, 3 cows in full profit, 2 heifers, 4 yearlings, 2 calves, yearling bull, 144 Kent and Cross-bred ewes, 124 lambs, 2 southdown rams, Kent ram, 2 sows and pigs, pedigree middle white boar, the whole of the implements including: Horse rake, corn drill, ploughs, mower, self-binder, plain and ring rolls, potato balker and water cart. 4 Tip carts, trade cart, 2 box carts, dogcart, pony trap, 12 sets harness, hay elevator, sprayers, dairy utensils, cattle and pig troughs, sheep racks, 200 yards chestnut fencing, 70 sheep gates, sheep netting, potato boxes, strawberry tubs, market garden utensils, and miscellaneous effects...."

21 Sep 1917 Allowing Cattle to Stray at Hartley Dartford Chronicle
Hedley Symons of Hartley Wood fined 5/- for allowing 1 boar and 2 store pigs to stray on Hartley Road. He said he had baricaded the fences, was working night and day and was very short handed.

22 Sep 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Gravesend Reporter
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - C English (27) given 3 months exemption, ER Hoadley (18) 1 month (of Middleton Farm, ploughman and horseman)

22 Sep 1917 Maximum Meat Prices Gravesend Reporter
Paper publishes list of maximum meat prices issued by food controller. Retailers may add 2½d per pound.

22 Sep 1917 Rev Stanley Morgan Moving Gravesend Reporter
Rev Stanley Morgan moving from Greenhithe to Deptford Congregational Church, remaining as DRDC councillor.

26 Sep 1917 Councillor's Bereavement Melbourne Herald
"Much sympathy will be felt for councillor E(dward) C(ooper) Treadwell [1864-1950], the well known city publisher, who within the last few days lost his eldest son Sergeant EJC Treadwell, and his wife, mrs Treadwell, who had been in ill-health since March last, died at her residence 'Fairby', York Street, St Kilda, yesterday. The funeral, which left her late residence for the Brighton cemetery this afternoon, was largely attended. Amongst those present wer Sir David Hennessy (the Lord Mayor) and several city councillors. Sergeant EJC Treadwell's death is officially reported to have taken place in England on September 20, and was due to an aeroplane accident. The late sergeant was 22 years of age. He had been a prefect of the Church of England Grammar school, and at the time of his enlistment was a lieutenant in the citizen forces"

28 Sep 1917 Blackout Regulations Dartford Chronicle
Paper says it is pointless getting householders to extinguish lights when trams with their flashes keep running.

28 Sep 1917 Skull found at Pennis Cottage Dartford Chronicle
"Workman's gruesome find". Large skull found in cellar of cottage at Pennis, with hole in head. Paper recounts legend of man being murdered some years ago and body taken to Pennis. A few people remembered seeing skull on mantlepiece. Present owner probably didn't want it but feared to get rid of it because of fear of ghosts. Previous owners of the cottage, the Dumnalls, said it was only haunted with rats! Skull thought not to be of murder victim, known to have been owned by Cooper family.

29 Sep 1917 Fined for Abstracting Water without Paying Gravesend Reporter
Thomas George Lynds (acquitted) and John J Hickmott (£5) of Longfield accused of taking water from Mid Kent's mains without authority, relating to Hickmott's shop being altered into 2 shops, but told by company that would need 2 connections and 2 charges

29 Sep 1917 Fairby Stores Want Manageress Kent Messenger
Manageress wanted for Fairby Stores - Small Owners Limited

05 Oct 1917 Skull found at Pennis Cottage Dartford Chronicle
Fawkham skull said to have been buried in 1829 by William Cooper when he took over farm from uncle

06 Oct 1917 Precept for Guardians Gravesend Reporter
Dartford Guardians - KCC precept up from £12,451 to £15,672. Means rates will rise from 5½d to 7d in the £. Hartley to pay £147.18.8 county rate, £1.3.3 Education rate (up from £1.0.7). DRDC to increase expenditure from £8,823 to £10,488.

06 Oct 1917 Zeppelin Raids at Gravesend Gravesend Reporter
Sunday (23rd Sept)

New moon a subject of conversation. A year ago we blessed the coming of a new moon, now we curse it. Funny how human nature veers round. Everyone prophesing a week of horror during coming week. Makes one wish one was in Timbuctoo or some other place of safety. Sister-in-law, who is a brave soul, chides me for being afraid. She only has a husband and he doesn't count. I have a wife and a family. She has a cellar; I have none. Her husband, under her influence, keeps telling me to "buck up" (I know all the while he is trembling at the knees). Sister-in-law very comforting, she evidently believes in doctrine of predestination. "If you've got to be killed, you will be killed" she says decisively. Her husband changes the subject and talks about luck. Fine subject that. I have always been unlucky, so shan't wonder if I keep up my record during the week. To bed early. Whle undressing draw aside blinds and peer down the road every two minutes to see if the lights are in. Don't want fag of bustling into clothes again as soon I've got them off. Nasty way of gettin gthem on wrong way. Very tired. Soon dropped asleep. Dreamt of babies - most unlucky. Wonder what will happen?

Monday (24th Sept)

Beautiful day; fine prelude to a fine night. Luck on the side of the Huns. "We're in for it this week" is the speculation of the earliest friend I meet. He means of course, the universal topic. "Moon all in their favour" he adds, and I'm not in the least on the point. Go about my work, trying not to think of what may be in store. Comforting reflection - I have made my will. Precious little to leave. Government takes everything. Look up Old Moore to see what time moon rises - note 2.28. It will be well up in the heavens about 8 o'clock. Shan't worry. Decide to go to the Palace Theatre to see "The Rosary". Rather rash, but one must be bold sometimes. All serene at 6.30; go to the Palace. Enjoy the performance and forget all bout air raid, Huns, etc., listening to the wisdom of Father Brian Kelly. Performance over about 9. Emerging into the street find all lamps out. Raid week has begun. Not a word has been said to the audience or even a whisper went round taht an air raid was on. Very good of the management. Hurry home. On the way home hear the guns booming. Met friend who had been to teh Cinema. Thee, he tell me, notice was displayed that all lights had gone out, and later on that guns had started. He decided that was no place for him, so quickly left and padded the hoof for home. We do ditto together. Arrived home to the humming of aeroplanes. Everybody in their burrows like rabbits. Sociable people. We seek ours. Turn off gas as precaution and open doors; take up stand in middle of hall, close to party wall and wait results. Fine view through open doors of Verey Lights, a real Brock's benefit. Guns are ripping it pretty well. Curious sinking feeling at pit of chest. Knees not very stable, and my voice shakes when speaking. However, for sake of wife and family must be brave. Encourage them with jokes at Hun's expense. No retribution from them at present. What's whistling noise - the shrapnel or the shells make. Wonder if it is anything like this at the front. Glad I'm not there, and taht age is the bar. Not much better living here. Wonder how my sister in law is faring, and what her subservient husband is doing. Exultantly express pious hope he is supporting her in a dead faint. There's a big explosion; must be a bomb dropped. Second thought - doubt whether it was. Probably only a gun speaking above a whisper. Guns getting fainter. Drone of aeroplanes cease. Probably they have gone. Disquieting reflection - will they return. Venture to the front door. Verey lights long distance away, gone very faint. Ah, London must be catching it. Sorry for London. Congratulate my locality - which has passed unscathed. Mustn't crow too loudly. Must adopt Asquithian pose, and wait and see. Walk boldly into the open. Discuss raids and war with neighbours. Don't think peace is anywhere near. Touch on note of the drone of aeroplanes. Wonder if our experts know the difference between note of our engines and those of Taubes, Albatrosses and Gothas. Suggest they may have sort of microphone to ascertain distance of craft, as they do in connexion with submarines. Discuss the point, left as you were. All quiet. Wonder whether lights will soon go on. Very tired. Strain is rather exhausting. Will have supper and go to bed and chance it. Have supper, ascend to dormitory. Ah! What a relief. Lights are on. Go to bed and soon in the arms of Morpheus. Dream tonight about a wedding in which I [....] to as best man in curious church. Bride queerly dressed with a brown motor cap instead of bridal wreath and veil. Ridiculous. This probably effect of raid. Shall be glad when we have done with such things.

Tuesday (25th Sept)

Eagerly get paper as soon as it arrives and read it in bed. Ah, here is the official communique. Will get it on record. "Hostile aeroplanes attached the south-east coast of England this evening. The raiders came in at different places in Kent and Essex, and a few of them follwed the River Thames and attacked London. Bombs were dropped at several points, and so far the casualties reported ammount to six killed and about 20 injured." Followed the River Thames. No wonder we heard them so plainly Of course they will come again. Shan't worry. Feel that I'm getteing used to this sort of thing. Reflection - wouldn't it make the Huns mad if they only knew how quickly fear of the frightfulness vanishes. Ought to go to a meeting tonight, but decide that raid shall settle whether I go or not. After tea work in the garden for an hour...........

[Refers to 23 - 30 September 1917]

12 Oct 1917 Parliamentary Boundary Commission Dartford Chronicle
Proposed constituencies of Chislehurst (61,216) and Dartford (89,637) very unequal but paper thinks it is the best way of meeting community interest.

12 Oct 1917 Selling Margarine for Butter Dartford Chronicle
Elizabeth Smith fined 5/- for selling margarine for butter at her small refreshment house at Junction Road, Longfield. PC had ordered 3 slices of bread and butter and tea for 3½d, sent for analysis.

13 Oct 1917 Food Shortages - Gravesend Gravesend Reporter
Papers says experiences of many in Gravesend last week are to find no bacon or tea and to be told there was virtually none in the town. Urges economy.

13 Oct 1917 Evening Classes Gravesend Reporter
Southfleet PC arranging KCC lectures on beekeeping and poultry rearing. More applications for allotments.

13 Oct 1917 Maximum Meat Prices Gravesend Reporter
Gravesend Council draws up schedule of maximum prices of meat.

13 Oct 1917 Servants' Registry Kent Messenger
"General servants wanted for all parts of London, Surrey, Sussex and Kent, also for Eastbourne, Folkestone, Hastings, Hove, Brighton etc. Highest wages, best places, no fees. Kitchenmaid wanted, one lady, 5 servants £20. Lady help £18. Several cooks, cook generals, house parlourmaids, and housemaids wanted for all parts - please write, stating age, wages wanted, length of character to Mr Pipe, Kent County Registry, Hartley, Longfield, Kent."

19 Oct 1917 Fire at Maple Cottages, Longfield Dartford Chronicle
Fire at 4.30pm on Thursday at James Jenkins's house 1 Maple Cottages, Longfield. Neighbour Mrs Amy Perkins discovered it and dealt with it with buckets of water, assisted by another neighbour Mrs Morris. Caused by drying clothes by fire igniting.

27 Oct 1917 Assault at Fawkham Gravesend Reporter
Arthur Samson (38) jailed for 2 years with hard labour for attack on Ethel Pankhurst at Fawkham on 17 July.

27 Oct 1917 Blackout Regulations Gravesend Reporter
Correspondent thinks shopkeepers' highly burnished brasswork will reflect moonlight and help bombers

02 Nov 1917 VAD Volunteer Dartford Chronicle
Article on Mrs Horace A Porter of Gravesend for her VAD work since the start of the war. Her husband was chairman of the Kent FA and saw to it Kent was the first county to close cup and county engagements. She was trained at Rochester VAD, served at Higham and has new job at Swanley

02 Nov 1917 Fined for Selling Fresh Bread Dartford Chronicle
L T Garrett (see Reporter 3.11.17) Chronicle adds that he had told inspector that miller had delivered his flour late, but this was found to be untouched.

02 Nov 1917 Lack of Roadstone Dartford Chronicle
DRDC complain they have only received half the stone they need to repair roads. They also say bakers are using the 12 hour rule to get away with selling underweight bread by saying it is over 30 hours old and not subject to the regulations.

02 Nov 1917 For their country - Corporal C Haygreen (pictured) Dartford Chronicle
"Mr and Mrs Haygreen of 7 Park Road, Dartford, are mourning the loss of their 4th son, Corporal Charles Haygreen, aged 28, who was serving with the RGA (Royal Garrison Artillery). He joined up on November 23, 1914, had been in France since August 30, 1915, and was last home October 7, and had only just rejoined his regiment, being killed on October 10.

Before enlistment Corporal Haygreen was employed by Mr Humphries of Hartley, and was a scholar at Hartley Schools.

Mr and Mrs Haygreen have two other sons serving.

[Sadly, before the war was out Mr and Mrs Haygreen was to lose another son, Ernest, both are commemorated at Fawkham.]

03 Nov 1917 New Bread Gravesend Reporter
"New Bread" - Leslie Thomas Jarrett of Longfield pleaded guilty to selling new bread. DRDC said they found warm bread on his cart on 15 October. He said things were difficult for country bakers. Fined £3.

03 Nov 1917 Court Baron at Meopham Gravesend Reporter
Manor of Meopham - Ecclesiastical commissioners as lords of the manor to hold court baron

03 Nov 1917 Sugar Cards at Gravesend Gravesend Reporter
WJ Harrington replies to letter complaining about actions of his canvasser to get householders to register with him for sugar "which practically means the other part of the order as well". Other traders are doing this. His assistant simply withdrew if they said no. Papers also apologies to Mr Harrington.

03 Nov 1917 Women's Army Auxiliary Corps advert Gravesend Reporter
"Women of England! Your help is urgently needed." Apply to employment exchange in Gravesend.

03 Nov 1917 Servant Wanted at June Hill Kent Messenger
"Wanted general servant with knowledge of cooking, wages £26, help given, 3 in family, small modern house. Apply Mrs Bourdillon, June Hill, Hartley, Longfield"

03 Nov 1917 Rabbits for Sale Gravesend Reporter
King of Gravesend sells English trapped rabbits, "fresh supplies daily from country districts".

10 Nov 1917 Zeppelin Raids at Gravesend Gravesend Reporter
German communique said results of raid on night of 31/10 - 1/11 on Gravesend and elsewhere was 'satisfactory'. Paper says that if that is so, then in Gravesend's case they are easily pleased "Never was there a more feeble attempt to inflict damage and to instil terror into the hearts of the people.."

10 Nov 1917 Service for Brave Departed Kent Messenger
Longfield - Service for brave departed, attended by 50 soliders

24 Nov 1917 Food Economy Committee at Longfield Kent Messenger
Longfield - setting up food economy committee

24 Nov 1917 Profiteering Kent Messenger
Public meeting called at Gravesend to protest at milk being sold at 8d per quart. Motion calls for boycott of milk sold above 6½d and for equality of sacrifice by rationing for rich and poor. Claims of profiteering by shopkeepers, dairymen and farmers at meeting, denied by them all. G Stubbs called them "theives and traitors to the land" (mixed applause and dissent), spoke for babies who have no voice, fathers at front, mothers have no voice on council.

01 Dec 1917 Conscientious Objectors - Quakers Gravesend Reporter
Two Quakers forced into non-combatant corps given 2 years (18m remitted) for refusing orders at Milton Barracks

01 Dec 1917 Shop Opening Hours Inconvenient Gravesend Reporter
"A Soldier's wife" writes to say shop opening hours are inconvenient for working women as they are closed lunchtimes and in the evenings and they are "sold out" at the weekends.

01 Dec 1917 Food Producation Show - Ash winner Kent Messenger
Women in food production show at Allington. Mrs Chatfield of Ash 2nd in planting cabbages and strawberries class. Meopham school gets award for making toys in village industries class.

01 Dec 1917 Gravesend Butcher Strike Kent Messenger
Gravesend butchers - 13 out of 17 strike, claiming fixed retail prices not high enough. People bought fish instead.

01 Dec 1917 Death of Captain Treadwell Melbourne Sporting Judge
Death on active service of Cadet E J C Treadwell; it was suggested he be buried in Hartley with his ancestors but army wouldn't pay to transport body

03 Dec 1917 Properties for Sale by Small Owners Farmer
(1) Excellent 6 acre orchard for sale, £90 per acre (2) Good mixed farm 150 acres, 12 roomed house; (3) 6 room modern bungalow with 4 acres pasture £685 - Small Owners Limited

07 Dec 1917 Prices for Pigs too Low Dartford Chronicle
C W Blair of Sutton at Hone says government prices for pigs are so low that they can't make a profit. He cites withdrawal of pigs from Dartford market recently

08 Dec 1917 Small Holding For Sale Kent Messenger
"Kent, 1½ miles from Fawkham Station - market garden for sale, comprising 5 acres fully planted with fruit, strawberries, asparagus, including tomato house, mushroom house, packing sheds and frames, price £1,060 - apply Small Owners Limited, 20 Copthall Avenue EC"

08 Dec 1917 Corporal E H Beer (Longfield) Kent Messenger
"Heavy Battery RGA - Awarded Military Medal Oct 2nd, Died of Wounds Oct 3rd.

For extreme gallantry during fighting on October 1st, Corpl E H Beer of a Heavy Battery, RGA, was granted the immediate reward of the Military Medal. It is regretted that the brave corporal has not lived to enjoy this official recognition of his courageous conduct, for during the engagement in which he played so distinguished a part he received wounds to which he succumbed on October 3rd. that Corporal Beer's untimely death is deplored by his comreades in France, is illustrated by a letter which his young widow, Mrs Beer, of Station Road, Longfield, has received from the Officer Commanding her husband's battery, who writes, 'I very much regret to have to inform you that your husband Corpl Beer died of wounds which he received in action here on October 1st, on which occasion he behaved with the greatest gallantry and was recommended by me for the Military Medal, which was awarded to him the day before we heard of his death. It came as a great shock to us, as when he was carried away from here, we had no idea he was badly wounded. I enclose the notification of his award of the MM and also the report which I made about him at the time. As regards his not being carried away at once, this was quite impossible even if he had wished it, as the shelling all round was too heavy. I cannot tell you how sorry we all are about it. He had been in our battery for a year and was a very brave and hard working NCO, and his splendid behaviour on this occasion had made us all hope that he would get all right to wear his medal in the battery. He will not be forgotten by the officers and men of this battery which he served so well.'

The report referred to indicates that Corpl Beer was rewarded 'for conspicuous behaviour and devotion to duty at _____. when the SOS went up on the morning of October 1st 1917 his gun was under rapid and accurate fire by medium guns. He immediately ran to his gun and got it into actino, being then knocked down and badly wounded by one of the many shells bursting round in rapid succesion. He set a very fine example to his detachment, refusing to be carried away until the men had finished their firing'.

The Corporal was in his 23rd year. (Photo in article)

14 Dec 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - H G Green (41), of Hartley Green, case adjourned for medical certificate

14 Dec 1917 Theft at Longfield Dartford Chronicle
Annie Simes of 10 Whitehill Road, Longfield, accused of stealing £2 in notes from next door neighbour, Mr Messe martin. Said to have confessed. Case adjourned.

14 Dec 1917 Fatal Cycling Accident - Tar Barrels on Longfield Hill Dartford Chronicle
Mary Ann Gherkins v DRDC re death of her husband who cycled into a barrel left by defendants at Longfield Hill. They said barrel wasn't on road. Jury finds for council.

15 Dec 1917 Gravesend Butcher Strike Gravesend Reporter
Gravesend butchers' strike over maximum prices

15 Dec 1917 Food Shortages - Gravesend Gravesend Reporter
"The food queues in Gravesend - shall the town have a ring fence" Gravesend council discuss matter. Some councillors wanted to stop outsiders coming to the town, they in turn said they had always shopped there. Other councillors disagreed saying the town lived "to a great extent on its market and market day" and would lose other trade if people went elsewhere.

15 Dec 1917 Gravesend Butcher Strike Kent Messenger
Gravesend meat strike settled. Gravesend food committee rejects claims that butchers should be able to charge London rates, saying they don't have the same overheads. Some smaller increases agreed.

15 Dec 1917 War Casualties - Longfield Kent Messenger
Longfield casualties - Pte P Pankhurst 735 Royal West Kent - wounded

15 Dec 1917 Tractor Ploughing Record Kent Messenger
Motor tractor in herefordshire sets record by ploughing 48 acres in one week.

[Traditionally an acre is the amount of land that could be ploughed by a horse team in one day, so mechinisation achieved 7 times this]

15 Dec 1917 Food Shortages - Gravesend Kent Messenger
Gravesend Council discuss queues, outsiders being blamed by some for buying supplies meant for Gravesend, but one shopkeeper on council said his supplies took outsiders into account.

21 Dec 1917 Food Shortages - Dartford Dartford Chronicle
Food queues - letter to paper says people are having to arrive earlier and earlier and suggests shops open later. Paper thinks that won't work, and calls for rationing as shortages are the real problem

21 Dec 1917 Theft at Longfield Dartford Chronicle
Annie Simes case details. Fined £3 (see Dartford Chronicle 14.12.17)

22 Dec 1917 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Gravesend Reporter
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - H G Green, case adjourned

22 Dec 1917 Food Shortages - Gravesend Gravesend Reporter
"A democrat" writes to remind readers that rationed items are what poor people depend upon, rich can buy unrationed items, poor have always had 7 meatless days.

22 Dec 1917 Food Shortages - Gravesend Kent Messenger
FR Weller of Rose Cottage, Southfleet writes to complain about Cllr Hinckley's suggestion that Gravesend shops shouldn't sell to those in country districts. For years Gravesend tradesmen "have sought the custom of the people who live in the villages around". He and many others have done so. What if country people hoarded vegetables, the councillor wouldn't like it then. Is this the equality of sacrifice he talks about on other occasions?

22 Dec 1917 War Savings - Kent Kent Messenger
National War Bonds 11 weeks to Dec 15th. Dartford (pop 23,609) £14,155 Gravesend (28,117) £36,795

28 Dec 1917 Private Brewster of Longfield wounded Dartford Chronicle
Casualty list - wounded - Private W Brewster of Longfield, 240854 Royal West Kent Regiment

28 Dec 1917 Food Shortages - Dartford Dartford Chronicle
Dartford Food Committee commandeers Maypole Margarine

29 Dec 1917 Food Shortages - Southfleet Gravesend Reporter
Southfleet PC complain that people there have trouble getting food from Gravesend, their nearest town without a ticket. 20 tons of coal from DRDC distributed around parish, people happy with that.

29 Dec 1917 Gravesend Introduces Rationing Gravesend Reporter
"Abolishing the food queues in Gravesend" - Gravesend Food Control Committee has taken over rationing of tea, butter and margarine within 6 miles of Gravesend, the area including Longfield and Fawkham which used Gravesend as a shopping centre. Permits issued for items with their grocer, food requisitioned from grocers with surplus to ensure others do not run out. Outsiders who shop in Gravesend will be given sugar ration card with squares to be cut out by retailer. Tea ration to be 1-2 persons (2oz), 3-5 persons (4oz), 6-8 persons (6oz), 9+ (8oz)

29 Dec 1917 Private Brewster of Longfield wounded Kent Messenger
Longfield - wounded - Pte 240854 RWKent, W Breston.

29 Dec 1917 Food Shortages - Dartford Kent Messenger
"Extraordinary scenes were witnessed in Dartford on Christmas Eve, queues numbereing several thousands waiting outside the grocers' shops for supplies of margarine. At most shops the supply had run out by noon on Saturday, and though retailers in some cases promised to open on Sunday morning if further stocks arrived, nonewrer delivered, and buyers waited in vain. Early on Monday a force of police was busy regulating the queues, adn wehn a five ton parcel consigned to the Maypole company arrived, it was comandeered by the Food Committee and distributed among small shops. Orders were issued that nothing but margarine was to be sold till 1 o'clock, and forbidding the purchase of supplies by one family at more than one shop, or by more than one member of a family at any shop. Butchers found it necessary to admit customers by the shop door, and pass them out at the back of the premises after being served."

04 Jan 1918 Always in Stock (poem) Dartford Chronicle
"Always in Stock" by CEB "I said I want a little tea/A couple of pounds will do/And sugar and bacon and butter and lard/But the shopman said N?????/We stock the things that you ask about/But just at the moment we've quite run out//I said 'Then get me some margarine'/And he answered with utmost pride/'We are selling that by the quarter ounce/Will you join the queue outside'/But having no more than an hour to spare/I tried with no better luck somewhere//But as I jogged home I clinked my coins/Which I hadn't a chance to blow/And while I was reckoning which I'd saved/The Post Office hove in view/'War Bonds' I asked and I got 'em pat/They've never run out of things like that!"

05 Jan 1918 Female workers in previously male jobs Gravesend Reporter
General postmaster praises extra women taken on for Christmas post.

05 Jan 1918 Parliamentary Boundary Commission Kent Messenger
Map of new Kent constituencies

05 Jan 1918 Gravesend Introduces Rationing Kent Messenger
Gravesend first town in country to introduce meat rationing - 2 lb pw for adults 1 lb for children aged 3-13

05 Jan 1918 Food Shortages - Longfield Kent Messenger
Longfield - "Food - a correspondent writes: The parishioners are feeling the pinch of food restriction, as they are not entitled to the full benefit of the food economy arrangements in force at Gravesend, where so many of them were accustomed to do their shopping, but it is hoped they many soon benefit by arrangements to be made by their own district and parish committtees."

05 Jan 1918 Fundraising at Longfield Kent Messenger
Longfield - collections at church services for King's appeal and Red Cross. Longfield Hill mission church have only had infrequent services because of difficulties getting there by train for visiting preachers. Concert for wounded and POWs at Club Room raised £11.1.4½ (See article)

05 Jan 1918 Parliamentary Boundary Commission Kent Messenger
Boundary Review - Hartley, Longfield and Ash to be in Chislehurst Constituency (map)

05 Jan 1918 Land to Rent at Hartley Maidstone Telegraph
"To let, 3 acres excellent sheep feed; few hurdles necessary - Watson c/o Webb, Hartley, Longfield, Kent."

11 Jan 1918 Food Shortages - Dartford Dartford Chronicle
Rural Food Control Committee (RFCC) (Poor state of film) Claims that local shops were only getting 60% of sugar supply when Food Controller said it was 75%. Concerns that distribution in rural areas, more difficult than urban. Milk shortages in Swanscombe and Stone

11 Jan 1918 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - HG Green (41), boot repairer and market gardener. Said to have been rejected by medical. Conditional exemption

11 Jan 1918 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - Charles English (27) said if he was taken people would go hungry. Nearest other corn business is in Dartford. 3 months' exemption

12 Jan 1918 Sale of Livestock at Manor Farm, Ash Gravesend Reporter
Sale of livestock at Manor Farm, Ash

12 Jan 1918 Profiteering Gravesend Reporter
Fed up of Gravesend complains of price of milk and rabbits (4s with butchers meat scarse) "I hate being poor in order to make somebody else rich".

12 Jan 1918 Gravesend's Meat Lorry Breaks Down Kent Messenger
Gravesend's supply of meat supposed to arrive at 7.30pm on Friday but didn't get there until 4am Saturday. Frantic phone calls discovered lorry had broken down at Charlton. DRDC report shortages of meat and milk in rural areas.

12 Jan 1918 Entertainment in Longfield Village Kent Messenger
"Two successful entertainments given by Mr and Mrs Fielder and their friends, in the Village Club Room, realised £11 1s 4½d on behalf of the Local Wounded Sailors' and Soldiers' Fund and the Kentish Prisoners of War in Germany. The room on each evening was well filled, and it must be gratifying to the promoters to see teir efforts on behalf of such a good cause so well supported. The programme was a lengthy one. Each item was very efficiently rendered and gained well merited appluase from an appreciative audience. Although it would be invidious to specially refer to any individual artiste, mention may be made of Miss Jessie Moon, who gave great assistance as pianist. The programme consisted of mandolin duiet by Mrs Trevillian and friends; pianoforte solo Miss Ridgers; songs by the Misses Goodwin and Wells, Mr Fielder and Gunner Ball; children's sketch "The Green Dwarf", the Misses Leigh, Fielder, Caller, Longhurst and Robinson and Masters Longhurst, Caller, Richard Fielder, Simes and Foster; sketch "Doing our Bit", Mesdames Fielder and Allen, and the Misses Grenby, Peacock and Grant; sketch "The Railway Waiting Room", Mrs Fielder, the Misses Grant, Peacock, Harris and Morris, and Messrs T and R E Fielder."

12 Jan 1918 Longfield Church Kent Messenger
"Last Sunday there wre unusually large ongregations at the church intercession service in response to the King's appeal, and the offertories to the Red Cross Fund were large and generous. Services were held at the Mission at Longfield Hill, conducted by Mr Thurnell. The services there have been very infrequent for some time past, as the railway arrangements have made it very inconvenient for preachers to get here, but it is hoped that the services may be held more often in the future. The choir Christmas Tree was held on Wednesday at the house of Mr Cromer (?Cromar), and was greatly enjoyed and appreciated by the youthful choristers."

12 Jan 1918 Longfield Church Kent Messenger
"Last Sunday there wre unusually large ongregations at the church intercession service in response to the King's appeal, and the offertories to the Red Cross Fund were large and generous. Services were held at the Mission at Longfield Hill, conducted by Mr Thurnell. The services there have been very infrequent for some time past, as the railway arrangements have made it very inconvenient for preachers to get here, but it is hoped that the services may be held more often in the future. The choir Christmas Tree was held on Wednesday at the house of Mr Cromer (?Cromar), and was greatly enjoyed and appreciated by the youthful choristers."

18 Jan 1918 Dartford Rural Food Control Committee Dartford Chronicle
RFCC (Poor state of film) - complaints about potatoes in bread. Coal supplies better than last year. Some issues of distribution between Dartford UDC and Dartford RDC

19 Jan 1918 Profiteering Gravesend Reporter
Fed up writes again to question why price of sprats are 4 - 7d per lb and herings 2½ - 5d each when government says there is a glut of them. Dried smoked haddocks before the war were 3½d each, now 1s 5d. Who is profiteering. Has heard wealthy lady say she'd tried herring for the first time and liked it. If rich are buying food reserved for the poor, the price will be kept up.

19 Jan 1918 Appeals against Conscription - Ash Kent Messenger
LV Debenham of Ash writes re report of his DRT Appeals Against Conscription case in paper of 29.12.17. Says he has been rejected by army on medical grounds 6 times. Feels he needs to prove point to "busy bodies", who would like to have him a soldier

25 Jan 1918 Food Shortage - Rural District Dartford Chronicle
RFCC (Poor state of film) - Fawkham and Swanscombe hold meetings in connection with Food Economy Campaign. WT Tunstall proposed and F Lynds seconded that rationing be introduced to the DRDC area from 18 February when the cards would be lodged with retailers. 224 lambs distributed in DRDC after Vickers alterted the committee to a serious meat shortage in Crayford.

26 Jan 1918 Rationing - Gravesend Gravesend Reporter
Normal meat ration for Gravesend is 2s 6d (adult) and 1s 3d (child 3-13) but committee late on Wednesday had to halve it due to temporary shortages in district, also had to put corned beef on ration. Taken over supplies to secure distribution.

26 Jan 1918 County Wide Pigeon Shoot Kent Messenger
Kent War Agricultural Committee arranging county wide pigeon shoot on 30/1, 6/2 and 13/2 from 2pm to dusk

26 Jan 1918 Corporal Honoured Kent Messenger
"Corporal F Shambrook, Royal Engineers, of the Green, Hartley, has just returned to France after being home on leave for 14 days. He has been awarded the Belgian Medal Militaire for devotion on duty and distinguished conduct under heavy shell fire during the battle of Arras. The gallant corporal, who was formerly employed by the EC Powder Company, enlisted in November 1914, and has served in France for 2½ years."

01 Feb 1918 A Quest for Chops - A shopping experience in Dartford Dartford Chronicle
The butchers' shops now open sometimes and when they are open look strangely like the little toy shops which used to annoy my childhood days - big ???? and only about 5 little joints to stock each! // I was sent out to buy the Sunday's joint on Saturday evening. It was a vain search. I could not find a shop let alone a joint. At last I came upon a beautifully appointed shop. The blind was drawn but a cheerful light streamed from the open door. I took my place amid 33 other doleful loking men and ????? looking women, and in the course of 45 minutes came to the door of the shop. // I glanced hungrily around that shop. On the slabs in sundry dishes, looking miserable and bereft, were 11 chilled kidneys, 2 bullock's hearts, 3 sheep's hearts and a piece of chilled salmon. And in front of me were still 8 persons, as did the people in Paris in 1871. // "Last day of the sale, remnant day" said a man in front of me, trying to hide the horrible fear that possessed him that even those kidneys and hearts could vanish before he could get to them. // "Hearts are poison for weak digestions" he whispered to me loud enough for those in front to hear. I knew at once that he had his eye on a heart. // "Kidneys are the very devil at 5 pence each" I said. // "Hard for you" he said as a ???? matron in front scooped up the last of the kidneys. // We grinned at each other miserably as the salmon was wrapped up for a weedy youth, who had evidently ????? that day. And now 2 hearts remained, and as we stood our ground the tail of the queue kicked the counter and melted away. // As the butcher handed the last but one heart to a lady who looked as though nothing in the world would poison her, my friend turned to me and said "I'm sorry old man, but I must have it". // "But it is poisonous" I said "You yourself said so" // "All I .....??? except the homely carrot" He said "And I am fed up with carrots. I am afraid it's no good you waiting" // I have asked myself since why I waited in that empty shop. I saw him seize his heart and go away with a shamefaced grin. Then the butcher turned to me and waved his knife round the empty shop. // "Is there any hope" I said "Must my children starve?". // He said "How did you know it was here? You must have a nose like a dog!" He pulled out from under the counter 4 of the prettiest loin chops my eyes ever beheld. // "I put these by for a customer" he said "And when she saw the salmon she had that instead". // "Thank heaven for the caprice of women" I said as I paid 3s 8d for the 4 chops. // I arrived home, weary but proud. I had my trophy on the table. "Aren't they beautiful" I said "Yes" said Janet, "How much" "What!!! 3 shillings and 8 pence for 4 chops. You must be mad!". // And I was. JS

02 Feb 1918 Food Shortages - Gravesend Gravesend Reporter
"Fair Ration" writes to ask why if there is enough for the ration, that they have to queue from 8am for 2-3 hours. Very difficult for women with children or women doing their bit in munitions factories.

02 Feb 1918 Longfield Food Committee Kent Messenger
Longfield to set up local food control committee, Rev E Smith chairman

08 Feb 1918 Food Shortages - Dartford Dartford Chronicle
Rector of St Albans, Dartford, talks of the importance of agricultural labour in sermon. Food queues began about a year ago for potatoes, people in those queues probably looked down upon the women who planted or gathered potatoes. "As long as the new world supplied England with food, no-one cared whether it paid to grow food or not, and acres of ground went out of cultivation".

08 Feb 1918 Food Shortages - Dartford Dartford Chronicle
RFCC report enough meat for weekend to meet the 50% standard.

09 Feb 1918 Food Shortages - Gravesend Gravesend Reporter
"An onlooker" writes that Gravesend Food Committee are not as good as they claim. His family of 3 has had 18 meatless days. He knows of dockworker and lady munitions workers who have not eaten meat for a fortnight. He's seen some shops with plenty of meat but his butcher is sold out by 9.30 am

15 Feb 1918 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - M Webb (31) of Hartley Wood, manager of smallholding, said he cultivated 4a of fruit. Adjourned 1 month for medical examination. Told to go before agricultural board.

15 Feb 1918 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - P Harris (42), C2, of St Margarets, formerly organ builder, now fruit, vegetable and poultry farmer. Conditional exemption.

15 Feb 1918 Food Shortages - Dartford Dartford Chronicle
Paper claims 50% of ration delivered to town. Those who said they were meatless at weekend bought some earlier in the week. It is right that rural customers should continue to buy in town, and they support the decision of the Dartford Food Committee to uphold this. Dartford's quota was based on supply last October, when it would have included the rural customers. "As the mother town and shopping centre of a large rural area, the town has for years had the benefit of trade from the neighbouring villages". Ration will be reduced to 1s 2d and 7d from 1s 4d / 8d to ensure supplies.

15 Feb 1918 Food Shortages - Dartford Dartford Chronicle
RFCC - 50% standard for margarine to be met this week. 200 to 300 men went home (from work?) because they objected to corned beef from caterers. Most issues seem to be in urban areas of Crayford, Swanscome and Slade Green

15 Feb 1918 Food Shortages - Dartford Dartford Chronicle
RFCC - 50% standard for margarine to be met this week. 200 to 300 men went home (from work?) because they objected to corned beef from caterers. Most issues seem to be in urban areas of Crayford, Swanscome and Slade Green

16 Feb 1918 Food Shortages - Dartford Gravesend Reporter
Reply by Food Committee (photocopy)

16 Feb 1918 Gravesend Yacht Club VAD Hospital Kent Messenger
Longfield - entertainment at school raised £8.19s for Yacht Club VAD hospital

16 Feb 1918 Longfield Village Society Founded Kent Messenger
Longfield Village Society founded to be affiliated to Federation of Allotment Holders. President Rev E Smith, T C Allchin vice president, Mrs F Brooks secretary and treasurer.

16 Feb 1918 Bungalows for Sale at Hartley Kent Messenger
Small Owners Ltd have 2 bungalows for sale, with 4 or 9 acres of land

22 Feb 1918 Council Buy Land at Pinden Dartford Chronicle
DRDC - purchase land in Pinden, Horton Kirby for road engines and other plant, councillor who objected to cost was overruled

23 Feb 1918 War Savings - Longfield Kent Messenger
Longfield - considering setting up local war saving association, lantern slide talk on subject to be given. 9 requests for allotments at Longfield Hill

01 Mar 1918 Queues Caused by Lack of Deliveries Claim Dartford Chronicle
Paper criticises Dartford butchers who won't deliver meat, forcing hundreds to stand in queues and disadvantaging rural customers who can't get there as early. False economy on labour. Notwithstanding the RFCC concerns it is better to have a number of tradesmen serving one street than many more queuing

01 Mar 1918 Sugar for Jam Making Dartford Chronicle
RFCC - told sugar will be available for private growers to make jam. Sutton baker applied for more petrol, as he had further to go to make deliveries. Committee member Mrs Golding said they should avoid overlapping areas. 4 houses in one street she knew served by different bakers. Tea shortage in Swanscombe, match shortage in Crayford.

02 Mar 1918 House to Let Kent Messenger
To let 10 roomed house, 2 acres of gardens, £75 per annum - A Humphrey, Fairby Farm

02 Mar 1918 Plots for sale at Hartley Kent Messenger
For sale 1-5 acre plots good arable land, 6 acre cherry orchard - Small Owners Limited

08 Mar 1918 Wanted Female Health Visitor Dartford Chronicle
DRDC - advert for female health visitor to advise mothers on proper nurture, care and management of young children. Salary £120.

08 Mar 1918 Rationing Guide Dartford Chronicle
Ration Guide for Householders - meat card has 4 coupons per week which must be used that week. Only 3 can be used for fresh meat at shop they have registered with. One 5d coupon will get e.g. 3oz of rump steak, 6½ oz brisket, 4oz beef suet, 5oz shoulder lamb/mutton. Non fresh meat coupon buys e.g. sausages (50% meat) 8oz, poultry w/o offal 8oz, tinned meat 2½oz, meat pies 2½oz. Coupons will also be needed for meat meals in restaurants. Margarine/butter is 4oz per week.

09 Mar 1918 Wanted Man for Market Garden Kent Messenger
"Wanted man for market garden; some glass; cottage close work - apply A Humphrey c/o Small Owners Ltd, Fairby Farm, Longfield, Kent"

23 Mar 1918 Apology to Land Girl Kent Messenger
Fanny Jenkins widow of Wilmington apologises and pays indemnity to land girl Victoria Coleman of Hawley. She was friendly with her employer Mr Moss? Dairy farmer and FJ had made allegations about the child being brought up by Miss Coleman's grandparents

23 Mar 1918 Vegetables etc for Sale Kent Messenger
"For sale seed - dwarf beans, purple sprouting broccoli, brussels sprouts; exchange wire stakes. R Weston, market gardener, Hartley Hill, near Longfield." [Hamilton, Church Road]

29 Mar 1918 Belgian fined for Keeping Pigeons Dartford Chronicle
Donat Drissons, Belgian refugee, fined £25 or 3 months for keeping pigeons. Expert said no licence to keep pigeons ever granted to an alien. Apparently they can be sold to anyone though

30 Mar 1918 Women's Land Army Kent Messenger
Successful women's land army recruitment day at Gravesend

01 Apr 1918 Belgian Refugees at Hartley Dixmude en omstreken
Death of refugee Leonie Ketele at Hartley

05 Apr 1918 Pro Publico Bono Dartford Chronicle
Editorial "Pro publico bone" supportive of farmers - vital industry, not profiteers as their costs have risen due to wage competition from munition works.

12 Apr 1918 Fined for Feeding Bread to Horse Dartford Chronicle
Belvedere man fined 20/- for giving bread to horse

19 Apr 1918 Rationing - Heavy Workers Dartford Chronicle
RFCC - concern over issue of heavy worker forms by som factories to get extra ration. One member said it was 'bunkum' everyone claimed to be heavy workers. Committee told by Food Controller that only those who grew fruit could have sugar for jam, not those who buy it.

20 Apr 1918 Obituary of Donald Baker of Longfield Kent Messenger
Longfield - obituary of Donald Baker (16) of Fern Lodge

26 Apr 1918 Supplementing their ration Dartford Chronicle
"John Tidy (16) and Edward Tidy of Ash bound over for 12 months for stealing duck from George Orpin of Ash. Father said he has to work 6 am to 6 pm and has lost control of them.

27 Apr 1918 War Casualties - Longfield Kent Messenger
Longfield - death of 2nd Lt Douglas Roy Dilworth-Harrison (34) killed in action between 27/3 and 7/4

03 May 1918 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - Charles English 28, A grade, given 3 months exemption

03 May 1918 Appeals against Conscription - Longfield Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - "To serve". Fortunatus Lynds, 24, B1 of Essex Road, Longfield, married. Application dismissed.

03 May 1918 Rationing - Transfer Applications Dartford Chronicle
RFCC - large number of applications to transfer trade due to incivility by shopkeeper, all granted. Committee recognised difficulty of small shops getting supplies from wholesalers

04 May 1918 Longfield News Kent Messenger
Longfield - attempt to start pig club; Longfield girls in Southfleet girl guide concert raising over £14 for wounded.

11 May 1918 Conscientious Objectors - Quakers Kent Messenger
Roderick Clark and Robert Mannell, quakers, accused again of refusing army orders, 6 months after release for similar offence at Gravesend

18 May 1918 Properties for Sale by Small Owners Kent Messenger
"Small Owners Ltd have several cottage and bungalows with 4 acres of land upwards, also fruit land and arable land, for sale on their Hartley estate, 1½ miles from Fawkham Station. Full particulars, apply Empire House, 175 Piccadilly W"

24 May 1918 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - P C Elphick of Annlea, Engineering Clerk, has been to Woolwich for medical exam, deferred until July 10th.

25 May 1918 War Casualties - Longfield Kent Messenger
Casualty list - killed Pte 735 Royal West Kent P Pankhurst MM (Longfield); wounded Pte 125027 London Regt JT Bennett (Longfield)

31 May 1918 Conscription extended to 45-48 Year Olds Dartford Chronicle
Men of 47 and 48 to be called up, those of 45 and 46 called up 2 weeks ago.

31 May 1918 Pacifism at Dartford Dartford Chronicle
Letter re Dartford Cooperative meeting - motion to support committee's stand in rescinding the decision to ban "pacifist" ILP from using Coop hall. Committee said hall cost £1,000 and they were worried about damage as they had received threats of trouble if the meeting went ahead. Motion lost 10-17. Writer thinks ILP want to take over Cooperative movement which he thinks should not be politicised

08 Jun 1918 Longfield Village Club Kent Messenger
Longfield Village Club - Miss Capper volunteers to register local garden crops with Kent War Agriculture Cttee. Pig and rabbit clubs going well.

08 Jun 1918 War Casualties - Longfield Kent Messenger
Casualty list - wounded - Gunner 147580 FJ Smith, Royal Garrison Artillery (Longfield)

15 Jun 1918 Gravesend By Election Kent Messenger
Gravesend Parliamentary bye-election - Richardson (official coalition) 1,312; Davis (Ind Coalition) 1,106; Hinkley (Independent Labour) 562. Winner new to Gravesend, Davis said Hinkley split anti-coalition vote

22 Jun 1918 War Casualties - Longfield Kent Messenger
Casualty list - missing - Pte 1935 Royal West Kent H Jenkins (Longfield) in March offensive by Germans

22 Jun 1918 War Casualties - Longfield Kent Messenger
Longfield - reports that Charles Saxton has been wounded and Roland Pankhurst has died of wounds

26 Jun 1918 General Election Dartford Chronicle
Sir A W Smithers adopted as Conservative candidate for Chislehurst. Born 1850, educated Lewisham Grammar. He is a stockbroker, involved recently in financial dealings between the UK and US. Lives Knockholt, claims to have been instrumental in getting water laid on there.

26 Jun 1918 Archbishop at Dartford Dartford Chronicle
Archbishop preaches at Dartford as part of Dartford - Erith "Crusade". Chairs meeting discusing how to prevent future wars.

29 Jun 1918 Mr and Mrs Mills of Hodsoll Street, Diamond Wedding Kent Messenger
Ash - diamond wedding of Mr and Mrs John Hills of Hodsoll Street. Mr Hills is 84 and still walks 3 miles to work every day. He has lived all his life in Ash

05 Jul 1918 Conscientious Objectors - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - W Bradford (44), fruit grower, applied as conscientious objector. 6½ acres to farm, did insurance work in spare time, widower with 4 children under 8. Refused non-combatant work. 1 month's exemption. George Holloway 47 Johns Cottages, Longfield, plasterer at EC Powder works applied for by Mr Lynds - 6 month's exemption.

06 Jul 1918 Grammar School Scholarship - Ash Kent Messenger
Ash - Claude Costen (10) of Ash CofE school wins scholarship to Maidstone Grammar

06 Jul 1918 Weddings at Longfield Kent Messenger
Longfield - marriages of William Thomas Goodwin RN to Miss Florence Mary Vigor; and Edward Thomas Allen RAF to Dora Lavinia Langford of Longfield Hill

06 Jul 1918 Wanted - Cook at June Hill Kent Messenger
Wanted cook general, wages £26 - Mrs Bourdillon, June Hill

09 Jul 1918 East Farleigh Inquest South Eastern Gazette
Inquest on Stephen Boorman of East Farleigh, body identified by brother John Boorman of Hartley Court Cottages

12 Jul 1918 Women in the Workforce Dartford Chronicle
Ministry of Labour Dartford Advisory Committee - "despite the enormous call upon women labour, the supply does not yet appear to appraoch the point of exhaustion" Land Army, QMAAC and WRAF is proceeding satisfactorily but large numbers required as domestics and clerks for QMAAC.

13 Jul 1918 War Casualties - Longfield Kent Messenger
Picture of Pte H Marchant of Longfield of Wiltshire Regiment, killed in action on 10 April aged 19, had only been in France for 8 days.

13 Jul 1918 War Savings - Fawkham Kent Messenger
Fawkham - war weapons week. Buy war savings at Fawkham Green War Savings Association War Savings Week 13 - 20 July

19 Jul 1918 Fined for Bringing Matches to Explosives Factory Dartford Chronicle
Frederick Baker of Longfield and Henry Bennett fined £3 each for bringing matches into explosive factory. Firm sorry to bring charges but it is extreme danger. Notices on each shed and gate

19 Jul 1918 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - PC Elphick, Annlea, grade 4, discharged from Army Service. Harry W Ellis 46 Holly Buch Cotttages, Longfield Hill, employed at EC Works, case adjourned.

26 Jul 1918 Cleared of Spreading Dissension Dartford Chronicle
Dartford Magistrates dismiss case against Coll McDonald under DORA of spreading disaffection, after accuser found to have a grudge against him. Alleged to have said Germans had more right, and that Britain and France would have invaded Belgium if the Germans hadn't etc.

26 Jul 1918 Volunteers for Agriculture Dartford Chronicle
Kent War Agricultural Committee says volunteer men are available

27 Jul 1918 War Savings - Meopham Kent Messenger
Meopham war savings week involves Meopham, Fawkham, Luddesdown, Cobham, Trosley. Has raised at least £6,000. Ash holding one on 20-27 July

27 Jul 1918 WOSCO Kent Messenger
"WOSCO soling material is cheaper than leather and wears longer. Men's sample 7s 6d for two pairs. Women's sample 3s 9d for two pairs - F Lynds, Essex Road, Longfield."

30 Jul 1918 Alleged Bigamy at Gravesend KM - Gravesend Telegraph
(Gravesend Magistrates) "Three young people were chiefly concerned in a case … when Henry Benjamin Allen, a railway employee, 36 of Burnaby Road, Rosherville, was charged with committing bigamy. // Gertrude Dorothy Winifred Allen, 2 Station Road, Longfield, deposed that prisoner was her husband, whom she married on Sept 1st, 1915 at Dartford Registry Office. After their marriage, they went first to live at 40 Havelock Road, Gravesend, prisoner mother's home. As a wife she had not had a home of her own. She left him a year and 11 months ago. During that period she had frequently seen her husband and spoken to him. There was one child of the marriage. Cross examined by accused: they first lived at Longfield. Mrs S E Hever, 2 Station Road, Longfield, mother of the last witness deposed that she was present at Dartford Registry office when her daughter was married to Allen. // Sofia Eva Winder, widow of 36 Burnaby Road, Rosherville, stated that she had known the accused for 18 months. ON Nov 8th, 1917 she went through a form of marriage with him at St George's Church, Gravesend. She believed him at the time to be a single man, and he was so described in the certificate. There was one child of the marriage, three weeks old. Mr E Catt, verger at St George's Church, testified to being a witness of the form of marriage between the last witness and the prisoner. // Detective Mercer deposed that at 10.30am on Saturday he went to the goods yard at the West Street Station, Gravesend, where he saw the prisoner and told him he had a warrant for his arrest on a charge of bigamy. He took him to the police station, where in answer to the charge, prisoner said 'that's right' Asked if he had anything he wished ot say, prisoner remarked that he took 2 rooms in Bath Street. The Clerk (Mr Mumford): I think you had better reserve that for your trial. Prisoner: She said we had no home of our own, but we took 2 rooms, for which I paid 8s 6d a week. Alderman Enfield: But did you have any furniture at all in the rooms? Prisoner: no sir. Alderman Enfield: Then I think the woman was quite right to say that she did not have a home of her own. // Prisoner was committed for trial at the Kent Assizes, bail being allowed, the sureties being himself and his father in £25 each." // [He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 6 months without hard labour at the Kent Auumn Assizes (South Eastern Gazette 26.11.1918). He subsequently married Sophie Winder at Gravesend in 1921]

03 Aug 1918 War Savings - Meopham Kent Messenger
Meopham War Weapons Week - Fawkham raises £12.8.0, Kingsdown £300, Moepham £1,570. Total £5,808. Ash results awaited.

03 Aug 1918 Scouting Kent Messenger
3rd annual Gravesend District Scout Sports Day at Rosherville Gardens. 420 Scouts and Cubs attended as well as a small contingent of Girl Guides and Camp Fire Girls. List of troops and their scoutmasters - Gravesend (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th*, 5th, 7th*, 8th*, 9th), Dartford (3rd*, 5th*), Sutton at Hone*, Darenth*, 3rd Northfleet, Wilmington, Hartley (SM Debenham), Stansfield*, Southfleet (SM Burrows). Starred troops had scouts and cubs, others were scouts only. List of winners did not include any scouts from Hartley.

07 Aug 1918 Fruit Wanted Kent Messenger
Plums, apples, damsons, marrows, rhubarb and blackberries - Allen's Confectionery Co Ltd, Fairby Farm, Hartley, Longfield, Kent are buyers of same in large or small quantities, delivered at Fawkham Station, or at their jam factory at the above address.

09 Aug 1918 Rochester Clergy and the War Dartford Chronicle
Rochester Clergy 350 of whom 148 are under 51. Of these 27 didn't volunteer, 8 working for government, 1 invalided from army, 16 army chaplains, 3 combatants, 2 hut work, 2 special work in munitions, 73 allowed to remain in parishes and 6 doing additional work in parishes, 4 cases undecided, 5 have left for other dioceses

10 Aug 1918 Cornelius - Stoneham Wedding Kent Messenger
Marriage of Miss Mary Cornelius of Middleton's Farm, to Pte E Stoneham of Southfleet at Longfield Parish Church. Details

10 Aug 1918 Longfield Village Fete Kent Messenger
Longfield Village Fete in Rectory Meadow. RAMC Band from Darenth, Maypole Dances by Southfleet Guides, Tug of War, Baby Show, successful and riased money for wounded soldiers and sailors.

10 Aug 1918 Groom v Lawrence, damage to House Kent Messenger
"Gravesend County Court: Rose Ellen Groom of Snodland, sued Alfred Ernest Lawrence of Hartley Court, Longfield, for £3 15s 3d damage to a dwelling house, known as Sunrise, Istead Rise. Plaintiff's husband conducted her case, and Mr Clinch appeared for the defendant. // Plaintiff's case was that when defendant took the house there were certain fixtures, and as defendant did not like them, he removed them for his own. Now defendant had left the house plaintiff's fixtures had also gone. There was also a broken fence. There was an agreement but unfortunately witness tore it up. // Mr Clinch said defendant was a munition worker at the Arsenal and was unable to be present. He understood the tenancy was subject to reasonable wear and tear, but what damage had been done by the new tenant he did not know. // His honour gave judgement for 2 guineas and costs on that amount."

17 Aug 1918 Longfield Man POW Kent Messenger
Longfield - H Jenkins is a POW in Germany

17 Aug 1918 Fairby Jam Factory Kent Messenger
Allens Confectionery Company, Fairby Farm, wants plums, apples, damsons for jam making

22 Aug 1918 Wanted Book on Bee Keeping British Bee Journal
Wanted Roots 'Bee Culture' - Denys Millwood, Fairby

22 Aug 1918 Longfield Race Horse Patriot Harrisberg
World record for horse mile said to be 1 min 33.2 sec by 4 year old horse Colman at Longfield in 1900.

24 Aug 1918 Fairby Grange Sold Times
Fairby House has been sold privately by Hampton & Sons

28 Aug 1918 Scouting Kent Messenger
"Boy Scouts Sports and Rally: The postponed sports coupled with displays and a grand rally of the scouts of Central North Kent, were held at Hesketh Park, Dartford, on Saturday…" List of troops attending included Hartley Scouts under Acting Scoutmaster Wildy. About 380 present. In the sports, Scout Bance of Hartley won 2nd prize in the obstacle race. District Scoutmaster A Tutton is promoted to district commissioner. He and others "were the pioneers of scouting in the district over 10 years ago, and were instrumental in forming the Central North Kent Association." Because this association has become too large it is being split into Dartford and Gravesend District Associations.

29 Aug 1918 Wanted Healthy Hybrids British Bee Journal
Wanted healthy hybrids - Bee Keeper, Fairby

30 Aug 1918 Anti-Pacifist Letter Dartford Chronicle
"A working man" writes to criticise Labour for nominating a pacifist for parliament. Calls for protectionism and help for wounded "Our wounded soldiers and sailors are an abiding evidence of the price we are paying for the protection of hearth and home..."

06 Sep 1918 Women's Day Parade Dartford Chronicle
Women's Day Parade in Dartford (photocopy)

06 Sep 1918 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - Rev Stanley Morgan criticises army medical exams that have swept unfit men into the army over last 3 years. Wm P Mansfield (41) Woodview Cottage, H Green dismissed from Woolwich Arsenal as being unfit, grade 3, not doing agricultural work. Given 6 months exemption

07 Sep 1918 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Kent Messenger
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - W Mansfield (41) of Hartley Green, actor, 6 month's exemption

07 Sep 1918 Female Farm Workers Kent Messenger
800-900 women threshers in Kent, manning 200 machines

07 Sep 1918 Longfield Village Club Kent Messenger
Longfield Village Club decided to keep feeding pigs and rabbits for a month before considering killing them

07 Sep 1918 Longfield Schools Close for Hop Picking Kent Messenger
Usual closure of Longfield schools for hop picking holiday

07 Sep 1918 War Savings - Ash Kent Messenger
Ash and Ridley War Savings Association has now raised £378,0.3 from Ash and £50.7.6 from Ridley. 23 new members

07 Sep 1918 Fairby Jam Factory Kent Messenger
Fruit wanted for jam factory (see article)

07 Sep 1918 Fairby Jam Factory Kent Messenger
Fruit wanted for jam factory (see article)

13 Sep 1918 Auction of Livestock at Fawkham Dartford Chronicle
Court Lodge Farm, Fawkham - sale of livestock

13 Sep 1918 Discharged Servicemen Dartford Chronicle
National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers meeting at meadow off Bullace Lane, Dartford. The photocopy I have is very poor. It is a long description of the meeting. The main speakers were Mrs Nora Dacre Fox, who railed against what she claimed were German influences in the government, and local politician Rev Stanley Morgan, who called for proper pensions now as he said the public's gratitude would be short lived. He was against women being on servicemen's pensions committee. He said "there was no such thing as equality of the sexes and it was nonsense to talk of it." // Rev Morgan's attitude to women in authority is surprising, since he was a Labour supporter, and the party supported female suffrage. He was also sharing a platform with Mrs Dacre Fox, who was a leading member of the sufragettes. However by the 1930s she had joined the Conservative party, only to leave and join Oswald Moseley's fascists. Like many fascists she was interned in the war. The NFDSS joined with other ex-servicemen to form the British Legion in 1921, it is suggested there was a concern to bring left leaning organisations such as them under the establishment.

18 Sep 1918 US Wounded Arrive at Longfield Station Burlington Gazette, Iowa
Picture and report of US wounded arriving at Longfield Station

24 Sep 1918 J Rich Wounded Weekly Casualty List
L/Cpl J Rich of Hartley, 129624 Machine Gun Corps, wounded

27 Sep 1918 Lyndhurst, Longfield for Sale Dartford Chronicle
For sale - Lyndhurst, Longfield

27 Sep 1918 Paper Shortage Dartford Chronicle
Restrictions on the import of wood pulp in favour of food has created serious paper shortage. Chronicle will pay 1s 5d per 14lb of waste paper brought to their offices

04 Oct 1918 Coal Shortage Dartford Chronicle
Coal controller says village squire or vicar can hold a reserve supply of coal for distribution if usual supplies fail

05 Oct 1918 Accident in Longfield Kent Messenger
Albert Marchant (14) of Essex Road, Longfield, fell from hay cart and broke arm. Taken to Gravesend Hospital.

11 Oct 1918 Trading Standards - Sutton at Hone Dartford Chronicle
Police court - Sutton farmer fined £2 for milk 11% short in fat. Dartford shopkeeper fined £15 for selling extra food without coupons

12 Oct 1918 Longfield War Shrine Kent Messenger
On Sunday war shrine dedicated, fixed to front wall of school. Made of oak by R W Gilham to design of Miss Crook, head teacher of Church Schools, with funds raised in village and parish. Crucifix in centre, adorned with brass flower vases and with Biblical texts "Greater love hath no man than this" and "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord", Roll of honour. Details of service and attendees.

18 Oct 1918 POW Farm Workers Dartford Chronicle
Horton Kirby farmer complains that his 10 Germany POW workers were suddenly withdrawn even though still required. Told all were sent home "to roost" on 1 October, apparently because of poor quality lodgings.

24 Oct 1918 Fairby Grange The Tribunal
"On October 12 & 13 by the kind invitation of Dr and Mrs Salter, the National Committee met at Fairby Grange, the house opened by Dr Salter for the reception of conscientious objectors who are discharged from prison broken in health and in need of rest and special treatment. The members of the National Committee and the NCF staff had a much appreciated opportunity of seeing the splendid work which is being done by Dr Salter, ably seconded by a very willing and efficient staff or workers. The house is old and extremely picturesque, and the grounds, which are very beautiful and exceptionally well laid out, are admirably suited for internsive market gardening, and agricultural work on a small scale. Already a very great deal has been accomplished; theose of the resident COs who are strong are working with great enthusiasm, looking after goats, rabbits, poultry, bees, a cow and horse, felling timber, putting up sheds and outhouses, growing and preparing for the market all kinds of fruit and vegetable, collecting and sendng the produce up to town. Dr Salter will be able to accommodate at least 30 convalescent men, in addition to the working staff......." [for more details on the Tribunal publication see The Tribunal Website]

24 Oct 1918 Fairby Grange The Tribunal
"On October 12 & 13 by the kind invitation of Dr and Mrs Salter, the National Committee met at Fairby Grange, the house opened by Dr Salter for the reception of conscientious objectors who are discharged from prison broken in health and in need of rest and special treatment. The members of the National Committee and the NCF staff had a much appreciated opportunity of seeing the splendid work which is being done by Dr Salter, ably seconded by a very willing and efficient staff or workers. The house is old and extremely picturesque, and the grounds, which are very beautiful and exceptionally well laid out, are admirably suited for internsive market gardening, and agricultural work on a small scale. Already a very great deal has been accomplished; theose of the resident COs who are strong are working with great enthusiasm, looking after goats, rabbits, poultry, bees, a cow and horse, felling timber, putting up sheds and outhouses, growing and preparing for the market all kinds of fruit and vegetable, collecting and sendng the produce up to town. Dr Salter will be able to accommodate at least 30 convalescent men, in addition to the working staff......." [for more details on the Tribunal publication see The Tribunal Website]

25 Oct 1918 Philip Pankhurst of Fawkham, MM Dartford Chronicle
Private Arthur Philip Pankhurst of Fawkham Green awarded military medal (picture)

29 Oct 1918 Sale of Potatoes at Wellfield South Eastern Gazette
"Mr Philip Champion has received instructions from the Kent War Agricultural Committee to sell by auction on the ground at Payne Trapps Building Estate, Hartley, on Wedneday 30th October 1918, at 10 o'clock am precisely, the crop of growing potatoes, as follows: // Lot 1 - about 2 acres President (grown from Scotch seed) // Lot 2 - about 1 acre Lochar (seed one year from Scotland) // Lot 3 - about 3½ acres King Edward VII (ditto) // Lot 4 - about 4 acres Arran Chief (Scotch seed) // The above lots will be sold with the pemission of the Ministry of Food, subject to the Forward Contract No 2,659, dated 10th May 1918. Under the above contract all the Ware potatoes dressed over 1 5/8 in riddle will be taken by the Ministry at a minimum price of £6 per ton or at the controlled price whichever is the higher. // Lot 5 - about 1½ acres King George and King Edward VII, not subject to the above regulations.... // [The uncultivated land at the Payne and Trapps estate in the Wellfield area was requisitioned by the War Agriculture Committee.]

01 Nov 1918 Influenza Epidemic Dartford Chronicle
Flu epidemic, DRDC has already closed 20 of 27 schools and now orders all closed until 18/11

01 Nov 1918 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Dartford Chronicle
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - Charles English (28), grade A, corn merchant - 6 months' exemption

01 Nov 1918 Influenza Epidemic Dartford Chronicle
Flu - all DRDC schools closed until 18 November (largely same as KM 2&9 Nov)

02 Nov 1918 Appeals against Conscription - Hartley Kent Messenger
DRT Appeals Against Conscription - Charles English (28), grade A, corn merchant - 6 months' exemption

02 Nov 1918 Jurors' Lists Kent Messenger
Longfield - complaint by resident that they had to travel 1 mile to see juror's list and no details of how to object as to inclusion

02 Nov 1918 Influenza Epidemic Kent Messenger
Flu - DRDC has closed 20 of 27 schools and remainder to be closed now. Gravesend BC closed schools for 3 weeks, asked cinemas not to admit under 14s. Swanscombe - 6 deaths (3 children, 3 adults) and 4 others down with flu. Greenhithe - 1 death (child) with sibling very ill too. Doctors greatly overworked, many severe cases especially among children

02 Nov 1918 Wounded Servicemen Fundraising Kent Messenger
Accounts of Longfield Wounded Soldiers and Sailors Relief Fund: has raised £115 1s 5d including donations from Hartley, Fawkham, Southfleet Guides, Entertainments at Longfield and Southfleet.

02 Nov 1918 Wounded Servicemen Fundraising Kent Messenger
Accounts of Longfield Wounded Soldiers and Sailors Relief Fund: has raised £115 1s 5d including donations from Hartley, Fawkham, Southfleet Guides, Entertainments at Longfield and Southfleet.

09 Nov 1918 Arthur Munday Memorial Service Kent Messenger
Longfield - memorial service for Arthur Munday, died in hospital from gas poisoning

09 Nov 1918 Influenza Epidemic Kent Messenger
Flu - all DRDC schools closed until 18 November. Greenhithe - 2 more deaths and many cases

09 Nov 1918 Longfield PC v Wright Kent Messenger
Longfield PC v Walter Wright, 3 day case in Chancery Division of High Court as to whether council had really sacked him. He was appointed in 1913. By 1917 council split on issue of stone quarrying on allotments. At meeting held on 5.4.17 with George Thomas Lynds in chair and only 2 others present, they voted to sack Mr Wright. In court Wright's barrister reminded them Lynds had been involved in scandal of underassessing properties that led to Mr Robson, Wright's predecessor being sacked and the assessment on one of Lynds's properties being increased from £3.15s to £18. // Mr Wright said he had often agendered items to try and recover the back taxes owed by Mr Lynds. Judge said sacking of Mr Wright at meeting of 5.4.17 was invalid because it wasn't on the agenda, but later resolution to appoint Mr Judge impliedly sacked Mr Wright was valid. In view of "somewhat unfair" treatment of Mr Wright he said LPC should pay their own costs. He commented "The people there seemed to have occupied themselves during the period of the war with a considerable amount of civil war among themselves". Mr Wright said he was a nurseryman and estate agent at Longfield before war, and is now a clerk at Vickers Works, Crayford

09 Nov 1918 Wanted Goats Kent Messenger
Wanted nanny goats in milk - Webb, Fairby

09 Nov 1918 Wanted Goats Kent Messenger
Wanted nanny goats in milk - Webb, Fairby

11 Nov 1918 Influenza Epidemic Kent Messenger
Flu - Greenhithe 9 flu deaths in last week (3 children, 3 aged 18-20, 3 adults)

16 Nov 1918 End of the War Kent Messenger
News of peace reached KM offices at Gravesend at 11am on Monday. Local streets thronged with crowds, sounds of hooting from factories and ships. "Just as though someone had pressed an electric button, flags and streamers appeared everywhere". Continued into the night with fireworks and burning of the kaiser's effigy. "Then to bed with no fear of an air raid. What a relief!"

16 Nov 1918 Influenza Epidemic Kent Messenger
Dartford medical officer says flu is abating but has probably claimed over 100 lives

22 Nov 1918 Ancient Rhyme Dartford Chronicle
Paper quotes 'ancient rhyme' - "Sutton for mutton, Kirby for beef, Dartford for a pretty girl, Farningham for a thief"

22 Nov 1918 End of the War Dartford Chronicle
Peace Sunday (17th). Thanksgiving in churches, procession in town

30 Nov 1918 Longfield Concert for the Wounded Kent Messenger
Longfield holds concert for wounded of village. Raised £14, bringing total to £100

06 Dec 1918 E H Haygreen Missing Dartford Chronicle
E H Haygreen (pictured with wife) reported missing

07 Dec 1918 St Joseph's High School, Hartley Kent Messenger
"St Josephs Hartley, Longfield, High School for Young Ladies, Boarding School for Gentlemen's Sons, 4 to 10 years. Oxford locals, Music, French. Apply Principal"

14 Dec 1918 General Election - Southfleet Kent Messenger
Conservative election rally at Southfleet

21 Dec 1918 Concerns about Starvation in Germany Kent Messenger
Dartford Guardians pass resolution to put the kaiser on trial. 3 opposed including Mrs Ling who spoke of terrible conditions in Germany and starving children there.

27 Dec 1918 Longfield PC v Dartford RDC Dartford Chronicle
Longfield PC v Dartford RDC (Chancery Division) report of case. PC objects to injuction saying their use of allotments for quarry is ultra vires, and to stop works and remove traction engines.

27 Dec 1918 In an Air Raid at Dartford Dartford Chronicle
By 'Gavel Kind' "I saw my first Zeppelins at Dartford on the night of October 13th 1915. The first intimation I had of a visit to my neighbourhood from the air was when all the lights at the railway station wre extinguished. As trains came in their lights were put out and they left the station with their compartments in dartkness. // A crowed collected on the platform, joking light heartedly at the predicament. An old lady with grey hair querulously asked why the lights wre out, and an inspector suggested 'so that the Germans don't see us, I expect'. Girls giggled as they moved along the platform. Men struck matches to find their way about, and one ireverently joked 'Give us light, we beseech Thee, O Lord'. An old gentleman carefully picked his way among the crowd with the aid of an electric torch. There was no confusion. The usual British phlegm, tinged wtih humerous sarcasm was paramount. A girl behind me said 'I don't mind the other lights being out, but I don't think it is right to have the lights in the train out'. Her notions of propriety were outraged, and they ocvercame her realisation of the danger to lighted trains while Zeppelins were overhead. // The train I awaited was announced and I entered a carriage. A seafaring man stumbled in after me, cursing the idiots who had put the station in darkness. What fear had he of Zeppelins! A day or two before, he had perhaps sailed the high seas and laughteed at the German 'frightfulness' of the oceans, the U Boat. A man's head appeared at the open window of the carriage and he began asking about he destination of the train. My seafaring companion answered him, then suddenly burst out with a volloey of oaths, threatening his questioner if he did not go away. #He was putting his hands across my clothes,' explained the saillor to me. // Just before the train started, four girls, some of the many who wwere travelling by the train to start night work at Vickers' Erith Works, entered the carriage followed by two youths. Under cover of the darkness a lively repartee commenced. But when the train reached a cutting a few hundred yards out ot the station, it stopped, the chatter however, went on. // The train waited a quarter, a half, three-quarters, a whole hour. It was tiresome waiting. Choruses swelled out from other coaches, and girl's and men's voices sounded in laughter and coarse joking. No-one had serious thoughts, or thoughts of danger; only irritation at the train's standstill. // Another hour passed slowly by. The monotony of waiting, and the energy used in singing had dulled the excitement in the breasts of most of the passengers. the carriages became stuffy, people's heads ached and they wanted to go to sleep. If they looked out of the window they could only see the banks of the cutting, and above, the bright stars glittering in the night. // It was now about midnight. The whirring of an aeroplan engine had been heard before, but now I heard a louder, heavier noise. It was, I anticipated, from a Zeppelin engine. A little later I heard two dull booms. Those I imagined were the bursting of bombs. Carriage doors were opening, and men were getting onto the line. Two men had climbed the steep banks of the cutting and were talking eagerly together and pointing to the sky. I climbed down from my carriage and joined them trembling with cold and with excitement. I had to be instructed by my companion before I could discern the monsters of the air. // My position on the high cliff commanded a complete view of the drama that was about to take place. The River Thames lay in front, with about two miles of marsh land between, the same flat country stretching away on my left, searchlights stabbged the sky with beams of light which concentrated at three different points; two close together, directly opposite, over Essex and one over London. As my eyes followed the course of the beams and searched in the light at their junction, I saw the Zeppelins, one at each of the three points. // The gas bags showed up a slivery white in the diffused light that clung around them. They were all a long way off and terribly high. They were but elongated specks of white in the sky, like stars that had been smeared over, and thus deprived of their brilliancy. // A rocket soared and burst into a bright white light; the searchlights hung dog like about the airships and then the anti-aircraft guns barked out. the curtain of black sky that hung before me was then sprinkled with the momentary flashes of the bursting high explosive shells. Just as there were many searchlights, so there wre many guns firing from all directions. The bombardment of the sky went on, and it could be seen the Zeppelins were hurrying eastward at a great height. // I saw two brick red flashes rise up from the horizon, and heard the dull booms which betokened the dropping of bombs. // The two Zeppelins over Essex were soon lost to the searchlights, but that over London was kept observed for a longer period. It seemed to be coming towards Dartford, but it turned in a more northerly direction in the wake of the others. As I watched, a tense excitement gtripped me, and I prayed that a shell would burst against the white cae and cause it to explode before my eyes. But the monster bore a charmed life. It turned, and with increased speed, fled away into the darkness of the night. In a little while the guns were silenced, the searchlights covered, and the raid had ended. // I climed down the steep bank, slipping on the dewy grass and stumbling over the signal wires by the side of the track, and climbed into a carriage. It was not the one I had left, but was filled with terrified girls, I hastily retreated and found a seat in another carriage, occupied by a National Reservist, who wondered what his 'old man' would say when he arrived three hours over leave at Erith. The train continued its interrupted journey, having stopped in the outing in darkness for almost 4 hours. // The newpapers announced next morning that 56 people had been killed and 114 injured as a result of the raild."

31 Dec 1918 General Election - Chislehurst South Eastern Gazette
Chislehurst constituency election result: Alfred W Smithers (Con Coalition) 8,314, Capt A Edmunds (National Party) 2,507. Electorate 26,801 of which women 10,996. Dartford constituency had an electorate of 46,000

03 Jan 1919 General Election - Chislehurst Dartford Chronicle
Election - Chislehurst: Sir Waldron Smithers (Coalition Unionist) 8,314; Capt A Edmonds (National) 2,507. Majority 5,807. Count was at Dartford, Little reaction to result as few supporters there. Dartford: James Rowlands (Coalition Liberal) 15,626, William Ling (Labour) 6,506. Majority 9,120. Mr Ling met with somewhat hostile reception, one voice called him "Pro-German".

04 Jan 1919 Lest We Forget Kent Messenger
Letter by "Englishwoman" of Gravesend. Shocked to find veteran having to sell lavender door to door because pension of 10s 2d doesn't feed him, wife and 4 year old child. He had 2 gold stripes and 4 chevrons. "Is this the best a grateful (?) country can do for its heroes". Germans should pay for decent pensions.

11 Jan 1919 Longfield Prize Winner Kent Messenger
Gravesend tombola for discharged servicemen's fund. 145th prizewinner (clock worth 17s 6d) Mr J Roland, Longfield Siding (11,806)

11 Jan 1919 Women in the Workforce Kent Messenger
Lillie Ross Cline write to call for women to give up their jobs to men. Quite a few kept on not through efficiency but because they were needed. Shouldn't be prejudiced against domestic service. Cites case of girl earning £3-4 pw, paid mother 14s and spent rest on clothes.

11 Jan 1919 Soldiers Call to be Discharged Kent Messenger
Protests by soldiers in Folkestone, Dover and Maidstone to call for discharge.

11 Jan 1919 £60 Damages KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Dartford county Court. "Stanley Hickmott, manager of the Longfield Estate, sued Messrs Cannon and Gaze, of Erith for £76 5s for personal injuries and damage to a motor cycle in a collision on November 11th. // For plaintiff it was said that a collision occurred on Hartley Hill between the motor cycle and defendant's motor lorry, by which the cycle was thrown into the hedge and plaintiff was injured. Mr Sims, a passenger in a side car attached to the cycle, ran after the lorry, which went on, the driver apparently no knowing what had happened. The driver of the lorry subsequently said the motor lorry skidded. Plaintiff's leg was crushed and he was laid up for 6 weeks. The lorry, said plaintiff, cut right into the cycle as they were passing - Police evidence was given which appeared to corroborate this evidence, and it was stated the machine would require £34 5s 6d spent on it to make it as it was before the accident. Henry Barnes, 15 Oak Road, Northumberland Heath, the driver of the lorry, said he heard no hooter and did not know anyone was overtaking him. This evidence was corroborated by the stoker, Henry Whitehead of 33 High Street, Erith - Judgment was given for plaintiff however, for £60."

18 Jan 1919 History of Air Raids Kent Messenger
"The Greatest of Wars" article on air raids in Gravesend. Some had dug shelters, people in Northfleet sheltered in tunnels in chalk quarry. Luckily no-one was killed in town, near miss on 31/10 - 1/11/17 when 14 Prospect Place hit by incendiary which ignited bed where 4 children were sleeping, matress thrown out of window.

24 Jan 1919 Railway in the War Dartford Chronicle
Extract from article in Times about SE&CR in wartime. 7,515 special ambulance trains carrying 1,215,896 wounded

31 Jan 1919 Day - Eubank Wedding Dartford Chronicle
Marriage of daughter of George Day of North Ash to William Allen Eubank of Bean at Ash Chapel. Picture, list of gifts.

01 Feb 1919 KCC Vote against Equal Pay for Women Kent Messenger
KCC Education committee votes against equal pay for women. Only 3 of 20 on committee voted for.

01 Feb 1919 Air Raid Precautions - Gravesend Kent Messenger
AJ Philip former organising secretary of Gravesend Air Raid Patrol thanked all those involved, up to 2,700 at one time. First raids led to large numbers leaving town to sleep at night (he said one school had 50 children sleeping in the fields). People quickly stopped doing this when patrols started. ARP stopped when sirens introduced.

07 Feb 1919 Kent Police and the War Dartford Chronicle
Kent Constabulary and war. 217 joined up, 18 killed, 7 incapicitated

08 Feb 1919 Rosherville VAD Hospital Kent Messenger
Last patient leaves Rosherville VAD hospital. Opened 15/11/14 for about a year, reopened 3/3/16. With 126 beds it treated 3,461 people.

14 Feb 1919 Women's Land Army Dartford Chronicle
Women's Land Army at Eynsford

15 Feb 1919 Female Workers Dismissed Kent Messenger
100 women discharged from docks.

22 Feb 1919 History of Air Raids Kent Messenger
Account of air raids briefly mentions 1917 raid on Longfield and Ash

01 Mar 1919 Local News in Brief KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Servant Wanted // "Wanted daily or temporary housework - Apply Gilbert, Hartley Green, Longfield." // Rabbits // "A large stock of high class utility for sale, 6 weeks to 12 months; from 2s 6d to 20s each - Apply Wells, Barncroft, Hartley, Longfield, Kent."

07 Mar 1919 Imprisonment of Cos Streatham News
"Sir, I was pained to see in the last issue of the Streatham News that a Tooting conscientious objector, Fred J Tritton, had been sentenced to a further court martial - his third - for his refusal to obey military orders. It really baffles a matter of fact person to understand what possible motive any Government could have in continuing to persecute these men. In all our prisons today there are men who are determied that th eGovernment shall not exact from them that pinch of incense upon the altar - obedience to a military command, involving as it does to them, a violation of the principle of man's supremacy in the matter of his own conscience. These men have set out on deliberate course of action, and sustained it through many vicissitudes, unknown at present to many in our land. The Government, so far, has failed to break their resolve, and they languish in our prisons and army camps. // Is there sincerity in dispute? Then will any one level the charge that a man who has suffered the indignities and civilised savagery of tribunal, police court, guard room, court martial, and the soulless monotony of the prison cell, is a coward or a shirker? If so, your readers would like to hear further. If not, are they content to sit in armchair tranquility whilst their compatriots and joint heirs of the dignity of Runnymede stagnate in our gaols? Do not these men stand in the direct line with teh conscientious objector of all ages; that persecuted minority whose view point the nation sanctions and adopts when the protagonists themselves are safely dead? // Let Wandsworth men and women not be behind in demanding that the Government shall forthwith release these men and make this a true test of the principles of freedom, to defend which the youth of England rallied to the colours. // Yours etc, Denys R Millwood, Fairby Grange, Hartley, Longfield, Kent. 4th March 1919." // [Denys Brian Millwood (1895-1974) appears to have come from a Christian pacifist family. His brother Phillip Leslie Millwood was secretary of the No Conscription Fellowship and a member of the Brixton and Streatham Free Church Council. He was imprisoned for 2 years in 1917, at his trial Philip said "I am not a solider. I stand for peace, for truth, for liberty and peace at once, and peace forever." (Bayswater Chronicle 14.7.1917)]

08 Mar 1919 Longfield Parish Council v Dartford Rural District Council Kent Messenger
Longfield PC win case in Chancery Division against DRDC that agreement for stone with 18/7/1916 was ultra vires. History of site, rented by PC for allotments in 1908, freehold acquired 1913.

14 Mar 1919 Death of Rifleman E H Haygreen Dartford Chronicle
Rifleman EH Haygreen previously posted missing, now known to have died on night of 28/9/18 when 2/16 London Regiment advanced to take Messines Ridge. Picture

14 Mar 1919 Death of Pte William Pankhurst Dartford Chronicle
Death of Pte William Pankhurst of Mabel Cottages, Longfield. He was listed as a POW 10.8.1917 at Lager Lechfeld in Bavaria. He died on a local farm where he worked, and was buried locally.

29 Mar 1919 Land Army Concert at Ash Kent Messenger
Ash - Land Army Concert.in Ash parish room under supervision of Miss Berkeley the welfare officer. Room filled to utmost capacity, every chair and niche taken, raised £10 8s 5d for Welfare Fund. Mentions thresher gang working in Ash. Assisted by Ash schoolchildren

05 Apr 1919 Peculiar Incident at Longfield Kent Messenger
"Ex-soldier sues for damages. At the Dartford County Court on Wednesday, Albert Haselden of Longfield, late licensee of the Railway Tavern, Longfield, was summoned by Matthew Hannigan, formerly a police constable and later in the army, for £100 in respect of personal injuries. Mr Clinch, for the plaintiff, said his client had been wounded and operated upon. He had enterd into business negotiations with Haselden and went to see him in connection with them on coming out of hospital. A dispute took place and Haselden, it was alleged, assaulted him, with the result that he had to return to hospital and undergo another operation and he had not recovered from the effects of the trouble. // Plaintiff, in reply to Mr Cassal, sai it was not true that when Haselden and he came into contact there was a curtain between them. He was of opinion that Haselden deliberately struck him. // Dr F W Redds, House Surgeon at Guys said plaintiff, having been discharged fro the hospital early in November, returned about the 28th with a new fracture of the thigh, which he said he got from being knocked down. He underwent two operations and aw discharged on January 31st. // For the defence it was urged that Haselden had no quarrel with Hannigan. He found a man named Hollands in the scullery with his wife and remonstrated with him, with the result that Hollands left. Witness went to the door to let him out and stepped against a curtain behind which he supposed Hannigan was standing. He did not assault Hannigan, nor did he know he was behind the curtain. He only heard what had happened to Hannigan the next morning, and even then he did not know he was accused of causing the injury. // Mrs Haselden said when Hollands came into the scullery for water she told him she wished he would go away, because they had all had plenty to drink. When her husband was showing Hollands out, Hannigan went towards the curtain in the private bar and then fell back, but he could not have been struck by any blow aimed at her by her husband. Hannigan was picked up by a customer and went away without making any complaint. // Driver G Day and Walter Hollands, both of Longfield, customers at the bar at the time of the incident , both asserted that there was no assault and no words between plaintiff and defendant. // Judgement was given for plaintiff, however, for £65 and costs."

12 Apr 1919 Local News in Brief KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Horticulture // "Now that peace is in measurable distance of being signed, the subscribers to the Ash, Fawkham, Hartley, Kingsdown, Ridley and Stansted Floral and Horticultural Society have decided to again start activities. A general meeting has been held, and additions made to the committee, while Mr T B Hohler CMG has been approached to act as Joint President with his brother Mr Edwin Hohler. Messrs Ralph Day and John Beavis have been elected Joint Hon Secretaries and Treasurers. It is anticipated that he show this year will be held at Fawkham about the third Wednesday in August." // Charge of Wasting Foodstuffs // "Hedley Symons of Hartley was summoned at Dartford on Friday for wasting foodstuffs. He pleaded not guilty. // Mr Clinch, for the prosecution, said the alleged offence lay in defendant's pigs trespassing on a field and eating a quantity of potatoes from a clamp. Mr Mitchell (from the Bench): but is that not stretching the order? Is it waste of food? If the pigs ate the potatoes, the pigs will be used for food eventually. Mr Clinch: Would it not be a waste if pigs were fed on rump steak? Florence Crouch said the potatoes were in ground belonging to Mrs Golding, for whom she worked. She saw the pigs rooting them out on several occasions. // Defendant denied that there had been any negligence. His pigs had trespassed once or twice, and he had paid for the damage, but Mrs Golding claimed £10, and he wrote and asked why he had not been allowed to see the extent of the damage, and whether it was not a fact that other people's pigs had trespassed on her land. He was surprised when proceedings were taken. The case was dismissed." [Charles Ellerby's book suggests Mr Symons's pigs got out much more than "once or twice"!] // Pigs for Sale // "Four gelts, middle whites, 7 months, ready for service - Villarose, Hartley, Longfield [Villa Rosa]" // Alleged Brutality // Dartford Magistrates. "William Roberts, a dealer, of Hartley, was summoned for ill treating a pony. PS Dearing said that at Longfield on March 24th he saw defendant thrashing the pony. The animal stopped, when defendant took hold of its head and gave it two blows which knocked it down. Defendant did not appear, and a warrant was issued for his arrest."

01 May 1919 The Work of the Convalescent Fund The Tribunal
"At last the Government has been aroused to a sense of the injustice of the repeated imprisonment of the CO and more than half of our comrades are not at liberty. But to the man who has served a sentence of 2 years hard labour, the opening of the prison door is not the end of suffering. // Very early on it became evident that something would have to be done for the many who were being slowly broken down in health by the close confinement, semi-starvation, and the cold of the prison cell, and the CO Convalescent Fund was the outcome. As men were discharged from prison on grounds of ill health they were welcomed into the Convalescent Home at Fairby Grange in Kent, which Dr Salter kindly placed at the disposal of the Fund, and here they have been carefully nursed back to health and strength once more. // In addition to this work, the Fund made a determined effort to be ready for the needs of the whole of the men, should a sudden release take place. Gifts of clothing were appealed for to assist those who had lost their clothes in guard rooms or worn them out in prison. And as it was evident that a large number would be quite unfit to resume work until they had had a period of rest and recuperation, an appeal was made for hospitality in private homes, and funds were collected to assist others to take a holiday of their own planning. Sympathetic friends were found in the neighbourhood of the prisons, and a letter written to each man on his release, telling him of the existence of the Fund and giving an address in the near vicinity of the prison in which he could obtain immediate assistance if needed. // At the request of the Joint Advisory Council, the Fellowship of Reconciliation undertook responsibility for the Convalescent Fund on behalf of all the bodies concerned. The pressure of work following on release has been enormous. Mr Isaac Goss, who had been working hard to perfect the scheme, unfortunately broke down in health just on the eve of release. Once can imagine how keenly disappointed he must have been not to be present to welcome those for whom he had done so much. But the plans he had so carefully laid were carried on by willing workers and the Committee especially desire to thank the No-Conscription Fellowship and teh Friends' Service Committee for the assistance so freely given. // Contributions to the Fund have come from all parts of the globe. Gifts have been received from Malta, from Canada, and from Australia. Trade Unions, Trade Councils, Socialist and Co-operative bodies have contributed. Whist Drives and Sales of Work have been organised in support of the work. Over 100 persons have offered hospitality in their homes, Guest Houses have been thrown open for use of COs, while special low terms for holiday accommodation are being given at a number of sympathetic camps and hostels. The response to the appeal has been generous, but it is already evident that much more will be required. Particularly are further supplies of clothing urgently needed. Branches are urged to do all they can to help on this splendid cause. // The work is now in full swing. At Fairby Grange and other convalescent homes, comrades are receiving medical attention and careful nursing. Already some 200 have been helped to take a much needed holiday, about the same number have been fitted with clothing, while others have received financial aid. May I say what a great privilege and joy it has been to be able to assist in thei work and to see how relieved our released comrades have felt at knowing that their needs have been anticipated and are being met. Lester Smith."

08 May 1919 Want Servant Bromley Chronicle
"House parlourmaid required; good wages; easy situation - Write Mrs Rawlinson, Hartley Manor, Longfield, Kent"

12 May 1919 Fairby Grange for Conscientious Objectors Daily Herald
"Dartmoor Settlement for COs - Final statement regarding disposal of cash and property belonging to men in the above settlement at 19th April 1919. // Sent to Fund for the Relief of Dependents of COs. // March 31st - From Canteen Funds (£50) // April 19th - Balance of cash from Canteen (£118 1s 10d) // April 19th - Balance of cash from general funds (£8 5s 3d) // Total £176 7s 1d // Sent to Fairby Grange Convalescent Home // Cash (Donations and Social Com.)(£6) // Surplus stock in canteen value (£29) // All settlers' library, books, magazines sent to Fairby Grange. // All books were duly audited and found to be correct by Samuel Broomfield, of Broomfield and Co, accountants and auditors, Newport. Balance sheets and books have been deposited with NCF at 5 York Buildings, Adelphi, London, where they may be seen for inspection. Copy of the final balance sheet may be seen on application to undersigned, the secretary of men's committee in session, at close of settlement. G B Eddie, 88 Canning Street, Glasgow. // [Many conscientious objectors were sent to prison, and when they were released they were in very poor state, due to the conditions they were kept in. Dr Salter made Fairby Grange available to them to recuperate. This charity sent money, books etc to the men there.]

15 May 1919 Wanted at Fairby The Tribunal
(Advert) "For CO Convalescent Home. Wanted Deck Chairs, cushions, cricket set, tennis net and racquets, a good gramophone, music (pianoforte and songs). Send to Miss Buckley, Fairby Grange, Hartley, Longfield, Kent."

26 May 1919 COs v Discharged & Wounded Soldiers The Tribunal
"The cricket field at Fairby Grange was last week the scene of an interesting and ultimately exciting game between the local Hartley team composed of discharged and wounded soldiers and the Home team made up of Conscientious Objectors, who are temporarily recuperating at Fairby from the effects of terms of imprisonment. A keen finish ended in a draw: Fairby 65 (Webb 17, Humphrey 7 for 24); Hartley 57 for 8 (Humphrey 19, Scott 4 for 6)."

31 May 1919 Local News in Brief KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Fruit Wanted // Advert. "Jam Making Fruit - Allen's Confectionery Company Ltd, Fairby Farm, Hartley, Longfield, Kent, will be pleased to have prices for Gooseberries, Currants, Raspberries, and Strawberries delivered at their factory or by rail at Fawkham Station." // Entertainment for the Wounded // Southfleet. "A varied entertainment in aid of the Wounded Soldiers and Sailors' Fund was given at Southfleet School on Friday. The artistes emanated from the neighbouring parish of Longfield, and were under the conductorship of Mr Fielder. The company needed no recommendation from the inhabitants; their programme was as usual well rendered, and excellently received by a large audience. Teh object for which the entertainment was given deserves the highest commendation. The parishes of Fawkham, Hartley, Longfield and Southfleet are comprised in the fund. During the war, the wounded of this large district,have all been remembered by a money present. It is gratifying to know that the committee has still a sum at its disposal, which, now hostilities have ceased, will be distributed at discretion."

21 Jun 1919 Local News in Brief KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
The Right Education // "At the [Longfield] parish church on Sunday, sermons were preached for the National Society and the Church Building Society. The Rev C Hyde Brooke made a stirring appeal in the evening for a spiritual education on the lines of the morality of the Church Catechism in preference to the German notion of mere knowledge getting, which had brought such [.....] disaster upon Germany and the world in general." [A truly shocking claim, suggesting that the speaker didn't really believe that poor people should be educated at all.] // Education Development // "On Friday a meeting was held in the Longfield Schools to consider the new Education Act. The Rev E Smith took the chair, and the Revs J T Matchett (Fawkham) and H B Hennell (Ash) were present. A strong desire was expressed that the 6 schools of Ash, Southfleet, Fakwham, Hartley and Longfield should be formed into one centre, and so kept entirely rural. I tw as contended that a rural population had special needs, and that it was most desirable to encourage the inhabitants of villages to fit themselves to the fullest capacity for agricultural work and the enjoyment of a quiet rural life. The managers of the Longfield schools, it was stated, had long felt that their elder boys needed the control of a master; and although the present headteacher, Miss Crook had great command over them, the duty was too onerous to remian the hands of a mistress now Miss Crook was retiring. The meeting passed a resolution that the 6 schools should be formed into one rural centre, and that one should be a central school, which should as far as possible provide technical and secondary education." [Put together with the sermon above, it shows the backward attitudes of many in the Established Church at the time - that they didn't want the working classes to get ideas above their station by having a proper education. Note not all parishes were represented here it seems. This proposal was not accepted but the later of Longfield Secondary School is sort of in line with one of their ideas.]

26 Jun 1919 Cricket: COs v Wounded Soldiers Tribunal
The cricket field at Fairby Grange was last week the scene of an interesting and ultimately exciting game between the local Hartley team composed of discharged and wounded soldiers and the Home team made up of Conscientious Objectors, who are temporarily recupera­ting at Fairby from the effects of terms of imprisonment. A keen finish ended in a draw: Fairby 65 (Webb, 17; Humphrey 7 for 24); Hartley 57 for 8 (Humphrey, 19; Scott 4 for 6).

19 Jul 1919 Goats for Sale KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
"Two nannies, milking, 2 mated, hornless Billy, good Ferret - Bassano [The Croft], Hartley, Longfield."

26 Jul 1919 Peace Celebration KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Hartley. "Peace Day was celebrated in Hartley by an interesting and pictureque ceremony, probably unprecedented in the history of the village. The great occasion was marked by the planting of an oak on the Green, in the presence of a large gathering of the inhabitants. Assembling at Middle Farm, the residence of Miss Davies-Cooke at 11am the children formed a simple but exceedingly pretty procession, the girls dressed in white and bearing tall sprays of white lillies, and the boys carrying Union Jacks. In a pretty decorated govern-[missing part of photocopy here] of Hope and Glory as they marched, the children passed round the Green and tehn formed up beside the platform. The Rector, in introducing Major Freeman Jackson, emphasised the point that Hartley's celebrations were specially concerned with the children, who he hoped would live to see the fruits os the Peace that had at length been secured. // Major Freeman Jackson then addressed the children. Speaking as one who had borne his part in the struggle, and bore its scars upon him, his remarks were given added force. This was their day of rejoicing for the long awaited Peace of Victory. To the boys he appealed to remember the sacrifices of their fathers and brothers and to be ready, if need be, to follow their example. The girls, too, must emulate the women of the nation who also played a full part in the struggle. All must be willing to defend and maintain the cause of Right and Religion. The procession then reformed and marched to the site prepared for the tree. The boys speedily set up the tree and trod in the soil. While this was being done the children sang 'Hearts of Oak' and then passed before Major Freeman Jackson, who presented each child with a memento of the occasion. After saluting the flag and singing the National Anthem, the children accorded Major Freeman three ringing cheers, adn similar honours to Miss Davies-Cooke, who had enabled them to share in the national rejoicings by arranging the proceedings." // Longfield. "The Peace Celebration was carried out with great enthusiasm. Most of the parishioners assembled at Whlitehill Corner about 11 o'clock to await the arrival of the Dartford Town Band. After due preparation the Carnival Procession started on its progress to Longfield Hill. Part of the road was rather tough, having just been tarred and gravelled, but this inconvenience was alleviated by the kindness of Mr J Foster, who procured conveyances for the children. Another compensating advantage was that the staff engaged in the roadwork were able to join in the procession and bring their big steam roller and its tender highly decorated. Perhaps this helped to call to mind the 'Russian Steam Roller' which did such splendid execution in the earlier stages of the war. Another striking feature in the procession was a barrow loaded with a small table, chair, bird cage, frying pan and other articles, and bearing the inscription, 'Wanted, house.' There wwere several other cars whose occupants were attired in grotesque and symbolic costumes. // Having returned to the Day Schools, a short service was held in front of the war shrine. The band led the singing and the Rector (the Rev E Smith) gave a short address. Sports followed in the fields opposite, where keen competition and amusement prevailed. Meanwhile the company were regaled with tea, while ample supplies of jame were given by Mr Allen of Hartley. 40 competitors entered for the 8 prizes at teh Italy show. The rain prevented teh dancing being kept up till the lighting of the bonfire which was looked after by the Longfield Hill Troop of boy Scouts, who also formed a guard of honour at the shrine during the service and executed other useful duties during the day under the command of Scoutmaster Debenham. The prizes to babies and sports winners were distributed by Mrs E Smith. // As the people of Hartley were unable to arrange a celebration their schoolchildren were admitted to the Longfield tea and sports, and many visitors from Hartley and other places were present. Especial praise is due to Mr G T Lynds (chairman of the Parish Council) and Messrs T Fielder and F Langford, who assisted him; to Mrs Fred Brooks and her numerous lady helpers and to Mrs Cromar for organising the Baby Show." // [Many reports from villages in this edition but none for Ash or Fawkham]

26 Jul 1919 Rabbits for Sale KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
"Rabbits with young and in kindle; going cheap; clearing stock; exchange for poultry - Jones, Homefield, Hartley, Longfield."

22 Aug 1919 Baby Drowned at 2.30am The Globe
"'God told me to put baby in the tank,' was the reason given by a mother for drowning her 13 months' old son at Fawkham, Kent. Mr Sewell held the inquest today, when the jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against the mother. The father, a grocer's assistant named Landsdell, said that the baby Hugh Thomas was perfectly healthy. His wife went to bed about 11.30 on Sunday night, after having been somewhat depressed during the day, and at about 2.30 he awoke and found his wife sitting up partly dressed. She left the room to get some water, and a little later she said 'I believe there is an air raid.' She saw a bright light and was going downstairs to see what it was. She left the room, and he found her at the rain water tank near the back door. As his wife looked over the tank he heard a splash. He took hold of her and she fell back into his arms screaming. He took her upstairs, and on getting into bed found that the baby was missing. He told his wife that he must go downstairs. But she said, 'No, stop here, don't go.' He found the body of the baby floating face downwards in 18 inches of water. He wife then came downstairs and wanted the baby, and knelt down once or twice and prayed. // Witness added that his wife was 40 years of age, and the mother of 7 children, 6 of whom were alive. She had enjoyed very good health until about a week ago, when she was troubled about a daughter's health, and she also worried at not being able to attend church as she would like to. About 12 years ago she had a nervous breakdown, and was under medical treatment. // Henry James Cutler, the father's employer, said Mrs Landsdell had the idea that the Roman Catholics at Hartley wanted to kill her children, and twice last week she spoke to witness about it. Last Friday night Mrs Landsdell went to witness, saying he was not to take her daughter away. // Sister Edge, a nurse, said that Mrs Landsdell told her she put the baby in the water so that the priest should not have it. // Dr T F Smith of Birmingham said the mother told him she put the child into the tank because someone was coming for it. She stated that it had gone to heaven, where all the other members of the family would go." // [probably Matilda Lansdell 1880-1943; may have been at Broadmoor in 1921 Census - index says she is living in Crowthorne Parish, Berks]

22 Aug 1919 Baby Drowned at 2.30am The Globe
"'God told me to put baby in the tank,' was the reason given by a mother for drowning her 13 months' old son at Fawkham, Kent. Mr Sewell held the inquest today, when the jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against the mother. The father, a grocer's assistant named Landsdell, said that the baby Hugh Thomas was perfectly healthy. His wife went to bed about 11.30 on Sunday night, after having been somewhat depressed during the day, and at about 2.30 he awoke and found his wife sitting up partly dressed. She left the room to get some water, and a little later she said 'I believe there is an air raid.' She saw a bright light and was going downstairs to see what it was. She left the room, and he found her at the rain water tank near the back door. As his wife looked over the tank he heard a splash. He took hold of her and she fell back into his arms screaming. He took her upstairs, and on getting into bed found that the baby was missing. He told his wife that he must go downstairs. But she said, 'No, stop here, don't go.' He found the body of the baby floating face downwards in 18 inches of water. He wife then came downstairs and wanted the baby, and knelt down once or twice and prayed. // Witness added that his wife was 40 years of age, and the mother of 7 children, 6 of whom were alive. She had enjoyed very good health until about a week ago, when she was troubled about a daughter's health, and she also worried at not being able to attend church as she would like to. About 12 years ago she had a nervous breakdown, and was under medical treatment. // Henry James Cutler, the father's employer, said Mrs Landsdell had the idea that the Roman Catholics at Hartley wanted to kill her children, and twice last week she spoke to witness about it. Last Friday night Mrs Landsdell went to witness, saying he was not to take her daughter away. // Sister Edge, a nurse, said that Mrs Landsdell told her she put the baby in the water so that the priest should not have it. // Dr T F Smith of Birmingham said the mother told him she put the child into the tank because someone was coming for it. She stated that it had gone to heaven, where all the other members of the family would go." // [probably Matilda Lansdell 1880-1943; may have been at Broadmoor in 1921 Census - index says she is living in Crowthorne Parish, Berks]

29 Aug 1919 Business Wanted Chelmsford Chronicle
Business wanted by Sheppard of Grafton House, Hartley

30 Aug 1919 Local News in Brief KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Presentation to Retiring Postmistress // "Miss F Phipps, who has for nearly 14 years hold the office of Post Mistress for the district comprising Fawkham, Hartley and Longfield, and portions of Kingsdown and Southfleet, is retiring this week and on Wednesday last, ast a meeting in the Village Club Room, a presentation was made to her consisting of a cheque for £50, in a silver purse. The Rev E Smith of Longfield, in handing the gift to her, said it was given as a memento of the goodwill of all living in the district, who were deeply sensible of her kindness and obliging manner, and of her willingness to give assistance as far as lay in her power. Miss Phipps expressed her sincere thanks to all the subscribers. A suede handbag has also been presented to Miss Phipps from the Special Constables of Longfield, as an expression of appreciation of the ready assistance and courtesy shown them during air raids. Mr Hargoves? has been appointed to succeed Miss Phipps as Post Master, and the Post Office may have to be removed to another house close at hand." // By the Seaside // Longfield "A day's outing took place on Monday of last week, when the parents and families of the Baby Clinic were joined by the choir of the Parish Church in a journey to Southend, where all spent a pleasant time, and returned home greatly pleased with the day's enjoyments."

05 Sep 1919 Bennett - Newcomb Wedding Times
Marriage of Walter Mervyn Bennett only son of Mr & Mrs S Walter Newcomb of The Gables, Hartley at Epping

06 Sep 1919 Local News in Brief KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Death of Miss M Rose // "Much sympathy is felt for Mr and Mrs Rose, who have suffered a grievous loss by the death of their daughter Minnie, who had only just reached her 21st birthday, and enjoyed usually such good health that her many friends have been shockced by the news of her untimely end, after a short illness. Scarecely a year ago Mr and Mrs Rose lost a son, sacrificed in the war, and their daughter's death is thus a double bereavement within a 12 month. They have only the sad consolation that their heavy loss is shared by all their neighbours and friends." // Attendance Officer Wanted // Kent Education Committee advertise for attendance officer for Ash, Darenth, Fawkham, Hartley, Horton Kirby, Kingsdown, Longfield, Ridley, [.....ms faded here], Wilmington and Sutton at Hone. Salary £120 pa.

13 Sep 1919 Treadwell Engagement The Australasian (Melbourne)
Notice of engagement of Frank Sinden Treadwell, son of Mr E C Treadwell of Fairby, York Street, St Kilda.

13 Sep 1919 Fete at Longfield KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
"A fete was held in the Longfeild Rectory Meadow on Saturday afternoon, September 6th,in honour of all servicemen of the villages of Fawkham, Hartley, Longfeild and Southfleet, who had seen active service overseas during the war, in charming wather about 300 of these men were pleasantly entertained, nearly 1,500 people foregathering to welcome them. // At 2.30pm a procession moved from Whitehill Corner to the ground. Headed by the youthful but excellent band of St Vincent's Home, Dartford, the column contained the servicemen of the 4 villages, with the Longfield Boy Scout Troop in the rear. A riot of colour ment the eye, the predominant khaki being relieved by the scarlet of full dress, reich tartn hues and dark blue; and it seem that but few units were not represented in a medley of uniforms, where the kilt brushed on one side puttees and on the other naval panaloons; mufti was worn by those whose uniform had been put away, with springs of summer laid between. Perhaps to the men of the Royal West Kent Regiment, who were in largest numbers, is principally due the credit for the splendid march discipline and the ease with which the seaman's roll, the cavalryman's trudge or the rifleman's patter were moulded to the regulation step. Behind the Boy Scout Troop, which proudly bore its gay standards, was the long and motley train of camp followers, who unconcernedly blocked teh road, though jostled by accumulating motor and horsed traffic. With amusement 3 small ducks were noted to bring up the rear, regardless of their responsibility, but through sheer fatigue they fell out at the first pond. // On arrival at the ground the men were welcomed by Mr T C Allchin, whos said that the country could never adequately discharge the great debt which it owed to those who had gone out to fight. That afternoon's entertainment, must seem but a small thing, but is was expressive of the deep gratitude which was felt by those who had stayed at home. He was glad that so many had returned in good health and spirtis from the innumerable hardships adn dangers which they had endured, but he felt he must make special mention of those who had cheerfully suffered disablement for their country's sake. Before wishing them all a most enjoyable afternoon and releasing them to its amusements, he would like to express his deep sympathy with the relations of the fallen, who, on an occasion like this, must feel anew their great bereavement, and he would ask all civilians to uncover their heads while the Last Post was sounded in hnour of the dead. After this had been sounded, the band played The King, and then broke into a cheerful march, while the serciemen were dismissed and proceeded to the amusements which had been provided. // It was a matter of general regret tha the chef d'oeuvre of the fair, the roundabout, was absent owing to a breadkdown at a distant wayside; but the swing boats swayed as recklessly as usual; the coconuts wer as hard as ever to dislodge; and the agile donkeys were tireless through the day. One sentimental driver of artillery seemed to find in them a memory of his long lost mules; and though he kept in the saddle - except for an occasioinal fall - till darkness supervened, he found the donkeys equally recalcitrant, and never made them exceed their short but regulation run. At the lesser sideshows the cogent call of the fair man incited to deeds of daring, skill and strengthy, unwonted prowess earned some of us our money bakc, or won us a plaster mounding of the late Queen victoria or a cake of soap; but as we watched one light hearted stall man dodging ill directed darts as if they had been hostile shell, we could grudge him nothing. Meantime, with the kind permission and supervision of their Captain, Mrs Stokes, the Southfleet Girl Guides Troop performed graceful country dances on the turf; the excellent band played indefatigably throughout the afternoon, an dmade itself the piece de resistance of the fete. The sports, which produced many well contested races, the results of which we tabulate below, proceeded under the able direction of Mr Dudley Martin and his stewards. The tug-of-war, in which the 4 village teams competed, excited considerable interest, Hartley defeating Southfleet in the final round, and later maintaining their unbeaten record against a scratch team which was selected on the ground. The last wevent, a blindfold boxing match, cuased general amusement, A Walker elating his supporter to the pitch of enthusiasm by the terrific force of the blows which he dealt on vacant space. // The sounding of the 'cook-house-call' familiar even to the least soldierly among us, marked the interlude for high tea, which was served int he village schools. Thanks to the generous gifts of flowers and fruit, and the strenuous yet tastful labours of the Ladies' Committee, the tables presentd the most pleasing appearance. The meal to which the servicemen were enttertained proved most substantial, the abundance of provision sbelying any supposed shortage of food; though we hear that the men receivied with ill concealed disappointment the news that their staple diet, corned beef and biscuits, had not been included in the menu. // After tea, Mrs T C allchin handed cheques amounting in all to £57 to the disabled men of the villages, and presented prizes to the winners of the sports.. A vote of thanks to her having been proposed by Mr Dalton of Fawkham, and three hearty cheers given, the band played God save the King, and we left, feeling that a most successful afternoon had been spent. // Among those on the ground were Mr Langley Smithers, who was in conversation with some of the disabled men, his father, Sir Alfred Smithers, the Parliamentary representative of the division, regretting that his absence from England prevented his attendance at the fete, with the objects of which he was so fully in sympathy. // Heartly thanks are due to the Rector of Longfield, who kindly lend the ground; to Mr Fields who had instigated the gathering; and as usual was untiring in its preparation, and to all the helpers, too numerous to mention, who combined so successfully to publicly welcome home the men who had risked their lives for us. // Result of Sports // 220 yards - 1 Saxton, 2 Bristoe, 3 Walker. Three-legged race 100 yards - 1 Walker and G Rich, 2 Ellis and Byatton, 3 Curtis and Ebden. Quarter Mile - 1 Rich, 2 Saxton, 3 Walker. 100 yards threading the needle - 1 Ebden, 2 Lynch, 3 Ellis. Half Mile - 1 Curtiss, 2 Cherry, 3 Rich. Wheelbarrow Race, 50 yards - 1 T Elliott and Applegate, 2 Lynch and Hockley, 3 Walker and Rich. One mile - 1 Curtiss, 2 Rich, 3 Cherry. Throwing Cricket Ball - 1 Lynds, 2 Dennis, 3 Walker. Cake and whistle race, 200 yards - 1 Saxton, 2 Cherry, 3 Bristoe. Tug of War Winners Hartley. Blindfold Boxing, exhibition bout - Rich and Walker."

07 Oct 1919 Profiteering Committee Appointed at Dartford Woolwich Gazette
Dartford RDC committee includes Rev J T Matchett of Fawkham Rectory and Mr F Lynds of Wallace Cottage, Essex Road, Longfield

10 Oct 1919 Fairby Construction Company tender Building News
Fairby Construction Company bid to build 150 houses at Blackley for Manchester Corporation accepted

18 Oct 1919 The Winter Game KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
"A football team has been started at Hartley by Mr Munn for boys from 15 to 18. Their first match was played on Saturday against Stansted, who won by 8 goals to 1. The Club's colours are navy blue and white. All praise is due to Mr Munn for starting such an excellent scheme." // [KM 25.10.1919 said Hartley lost 2nd match to Sutton at Hone 6-0, at Hartley Park Grounds]

25 Oct 1919 Nitro Cotton Manufacture KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Dartford Magistrates. "Considerable interest was shown in an application by the EC Powder Company Ltd, for the Justices' assent to an amending licence for a factory for explosives, situate at Longfield Siding, in the parishes of Hartley and Longfield. // Mr Fletcher (instructed by Mr Hayward) appeared for the applicants. there were 22 objectors, the majority of whom were represented by Messrs McDonald and Stacey). Mr F J Tucker (instructed by Messrs Chester & Co) appeared for Mr J Dobson, Pescot, Longfield. // Mr Fletcher said his clients had a factory at Longfield, which was erected during the war, and they held a permit to manufacture acid there. The present application was merely for permission to manufacture nitro cotton, which was not offensive in any way, and had been made for many years at Bean without any complaints. Thomas C Allchin, manager of the works, said it was practically impossible for fumes to escape in the manufacture of gun cotton. There had been objectionable fumes as a result of the manufacture of nitric acid there. Cross examined: He would be surprised to hear that Mr Dobson had lost, as a result of the fumes, a bay gelding, a cow, mare and 60 fowls in one night, a retriever dog, middle-white sow, a pedigree boar adn other stock. By the Bench: No application for compensation had been made. Colin Ernest Dell BSc, said there were no objectionable fumes. He lived in the neighbourhood, and had suffered no ill effects of fumes from the factory. // Mr Frampton urged that the Bench shoudl proceed as if the factory were non-existent, it having been erected under ermergency legislation as a result of the war. This firm was in a combine with a capital of £16 million, and he contended that it was an imputden application to ask that this factory should be continued in what had been a quiet, residential and agricultural district. // Considerable evidence was called as to the effects of the fumes from the factory on residents, vegetation and stock, and the Bench stated that they were unable to grant the application. Mr Fletcher asked the Bench to state their reasons in writing, as the would probably have to lodge an appeal with the Home Secretary."

01 Nov 1919 Local News in Brief KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Evening Industry // "during the war all the evening classes were abandoned, and the local Committee dispersed. Mr Hope, however has taken the matter up, and arrangements are in contemplation for restarting classes in woodwork, basket making and toy making. Longfield is expected to have one of the new central schools for the senior classes. Evening continuation classes cannot be fixed until the appointment of the new day schoolmaster. It is hoped that classes for lacemaking may be started by Mrs Ainger at Mrs Cromar's house at Hartley; and possibly a second class in Longfield." // The Fruits of the Earth // "An interesting exhibition of fruit and other produce was held on Saturday by the Hartley Agricultural Co-operative Society. The display was remarkable for the high quality of the exhibits, and probably the organisers of the exhibition were as much surprised at their success as the numerous visitors. Last autumn the Society received an award of merit from teh Village Insudtries Exhibition at Maidstone, for a collection of fruit described in the Kent Mssenger as 'easily the best in the show.' One would suggest that the society should made an annual exhibition a regular feature of its work, in view of the successes alrady attained. The exhibitiors, practically all of whom showed apples, and hte other produce staged were - Mr J Balchin (bottled fruit, cauliflowers and cabbages); Mr D Bishop (Pears, Grapes, Honey - sections and jars, jams and jellies); Mr J Brown (bottled plums); Mr P Burr (potatoes); Mr R Crump (Pears); Mr P Dennis (Potatoes); Mr S Ellerby (apple rings - dried); Mr P Elphick (Pears, bottled fruit - cold process); Mr B Greenwood (shallots, bottled fruit adn jams); Mr W Hann (Carrots, turnips, onions, potatoes); Mr D Horscroft (Beets, turnips, tomatoes, cucumbers); Mr F Jackson (bottled fruits); Mrs Lowis (Pears, Bottled Fruit, Jams and jelly, brussels sprouts); Mr H Meddick (Pears, Marrows, Pickles); Mr W H Negus (Bottled Fruit); Mr H Parrett (Onions); Mr F C Robertson (Cob Nuts, Bottled fruit, honey - sections); Mr W Sale (potatoes, marrows); Mr P Smith (potatoes); Mr J Stuart (bottled fruits, potatoes, eggs); Messrs Tate Bros (Walnuts, Bottled fruit) and Mr W G Wood (Potatoes, beets, carrots and lettuce)."

11 Nov 1919 Adam Grimaldi & Co Hull Daily Mail
Launch of Albert Car by Adam Grimaldi & Co

21 Nov 1919 Drakes for sale at Stocks Farm Dover Express
Drakes for Sale from Stocks Farm

22 Nov 1919 Servant Wanted KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
"Wanted for small private school, a strong girl as general; help given; good home and outings [- Principal, Timber Cottage, Hartley, Kent."

03 Dec 1919 Bankruptcy of George Harold Humphrey Aeroplane
George Harold Humphrey, director of public companies, 23 Hangar Lane, Ealing, and late of 4 Ellison Place, Newcastle on Tyne. // The first meeting of creditors under a receiving order made against this debtor on his own petition was held on November 27th at the London Bankruptcy Court. // Mr F T Garton, Official Receiver, who presided, said that a statement of the debtor's affairs had been lodged showing gross liabilities £8,500, unsecured £17,770 and contingent debts £58,500, which were not expected to rank for dividend. The assets were valued a £10,065. The debtor had stated that in August 1914, he and another person formed the Rural Developments Co Ltd, of which he was appointed managing director. The comapny was successful until November 1915, but two years later went into voluntary liuidation. In June 1914, a company in which he had been interested having given up certain works near Fawkham, Kent, he registered the Fairby Construction Co Ltd, to work in conjunction with the Rural Development Co in building cottages on the Fairby Farm Estate. He was appointed managing director and acted in that capacity until 1917 when he became an ordinary director. In January 1917, at the suggestion of a representative of Armstrong Whitworth and Co who promised him contracts, he took the Victoria Works, Newcastle on Tyne, and formed John Dawson and Co (Newcastle on Tyne) Ltd, to take over his interest and manufacture aircraft wings. The nominal capital of the company was £10,000. The debtor became managing director and took up the issued capital of £2,100, but later he transferred some of his shared to other persons who became directors. The company was financed by payments made on account of contracts with Armstrong Whitworth and Co until December 1917, but afterwards the company made contracts direct with the government, who paid week by week The company was very successful until the Armistice, when notice was given terminating the contracts, and differences arose between the company and the Government as to the amount due to the company. Pending the settlement of these differences the debtor endeavoured to sell his interest in another company (Allan Jones and Co (1918) Ltd) to George Clare and Co Ltd, and out of the money so raised he paid the accounts and financed John Dawson and Co. On June 4th last the Government settled the claim for £30,000, which was less than the amount expected. The debtor then endeavoured to amalgamate the company with Allan Jones and Co (1918) Ltd, a company of which he was governing director, which carred out contracts for aircraft parts. In anticipation he guaranteed debts of John Dawson and Co to the amount of £15,000. Eventually the amalgamation fell through and John Dawson and Co went into liquidation. The debtor was pressed on his guarantees and decided to file his petition. He attributed his insolvency to the failure of the company, of which he claimed to be a creditor for £10,000. // The creditors appointed Mr Oliver Sunderland, accountant, as trustee of the debtor's estate. A committee of inspection was also nominated. // [G H Humphries was a key figure in the development of Hartley, as the managing director of Small Owners Limited. Later he went into the aircraft industry, but said his financial troubles were down to the end of the war.]

15 Dec 1919 Training Position Wanted Farmer & Smallholder
Training position wanted by Maurice Webb, Fairby