Village Honours its War Dead.
A tablet in the nave of St Margaret’s Church, Stanford Rivers, to those of the parish who “went and returned not” from the 1939-45 war was on Sunday unveiled by Sir Drummond Spencer-Smith, Bart, and dedicated by the Rector.
The tablet is under the 1914-18 war memorial and bear the following names: Frank B. Spinall, Robert D. Delaney, Theodora A.Metcalf, Victor G.Pledge, Victor Staines, William C. Whitbread.
At the same time a picture of “The Madonna and the Child,” presented by Sir Drummon Spencer-Smith was also unveiled and dedicated “in token of our reverence for the Queen of Mothers and the Holy Child she was chosen to bear, and in loving remembrance of mothers and children everywhere.”
The special service was conducted by the Rector, and Mrs Pearl was at the organ. Seats were reserved for relatives and friends, and the British Legion, both sections, attended. Their colours were presented by Mr. C. Sutton and Mrs. Cloughton.
In an address the Rector emphasised the deep meaning of the service and stressed the fact that in nature and history, in religion and life, sacrifice was central. Only as life was given could life result and grow in greater fullness. God was a giving God, and we were closest to God when we gave.
After the singing of the National Anthem, the Rector quoted some lines written by his friend, Thomas Moult:
“How beautiful they are.
How bright their eyes.
Their hands have grasped the key of Paradise;
They hold it out to us,
Our men, our sons….
To us the lonely ones.”
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Essex Chronicle 2nd January 1942
CANTEEN DESTROYED - On Monday evening Ongar Fire Brigade were called to an outbreak at Messrs. Piggott Bros. factory at Stanford Rivers. They found a large wooden building, used as a canteen and store, blazing furiously. Difficulty was experienced in obtaining water from the River Roding, and the building and contents were destroyed.
The Ongar Brigade was under Chief Officer Luck and Capt. Eley. Other fire fighting appliances came from Brentwood, Abridge, Fyfield, Epping, Harlow and Theydon Bois, and the fire was prevented from spreading to other buildings.
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Essex Chronicle May 12th 1939.
FIRE AT INN
Occupants of the Moletrap Inn, Stapleford Tawney, left their rooms early yesterday in their nightclothes when old beams over the fireplace in the bar parlour caught alight. People from adjoining cottages formed a bucket chain from the tap on the green outside to the house and got the fire under control.
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SIGNED AS AMATEUR FOR MILWALL
Anthony Twynham, 18year-old agricultural student from Stapleford Tawney, has signed amateur forms for Millwall.
He is an inside-forward of great promise, who played for Epping Town, and Brentwood and Warley. Fulham, West Ham, and Leyton Orient were all interested in him.
He played twice last year for the London Youths team. His first match is on Wednesday for Millwall against Brentford Reserves.
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Essex Chronicle January 9th, 1942.
VETERAN FARMER – The death occurred on Friday of Mr. William Herbert East, of Hardings Farm, [Greensted] who was 79. He came from Hill Farm, Woodford, to Hardings, in 1903. For 60 years he had been a member of the A.O.F., Court Pride of Wanstead.
He leaves a widow, one son and two daughters. He lost three sons, Edward George, who dies in October, 1917, from wounds received in France; and Thomas William and Charles Herbert, age 27 and 25, who died within three days of each other in November 1918.
The funeral was on Monday at Greensted Parish Church, the Rector officiating. The internment was in the grave of his sons.
Letters to the Overseers of the Poor, Theydon Mount
The spelling is as it is written in the letters. Occasionally the words are indistinct and are indicated thus……
[1]
To Mr John Keys Church Warden of Thardin Mount, near Epin in Esex.
Sir,
I have not had aney thing dune to me sence i have be in hear I hame to come out of the houes one Tuesday next I hope you will be so good as to send for me down i not havein aneye ware to go from your humbell servant
Eliz Brown
December 30 1799
Aloud Ward, Barthlo.. hof….[Bartholomews Hospital ?]
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[2]
1831 March 21st Plaistow
To the Gentlemen Overseers Thaydon Mount near Epping, Essex.
Sir, by the desire of Harriet Baker which she thought it her duty to Dew to have me to write to you that is to let you know that the young man that she is with child by is usely (?) to be taken for he is home from sea and is come to the parish where he belong and if you wish to get her a husband you must be quick about it for she and I both saw him yesterday and he talked with Harriet and me and she expect her time every day.
so no more from your
Harriet Baker.
28 March 1831
Sir,
I am instructed to addrefs you by the Officers of this Parish upon the subject of a contemplated marriage between the Paupers one belonging to this and one to your Parish - viz. Thomas Killerby and Harriet Baker. This woman (farmed out by you) being far advanced in pregnancy. You have taken out a warrant against Thos. Killerby as the father - likewise farmed out by us, we understand you are to pay the Fees he not having...and to advance a sum of money. He is under age, and admits he has not a stick of furniture and is without means of maintaining a wife, and proposes going to sea. He must either be married by banns or licence. By the first mode their respective Parishes must be described, by the latter they must be both of age. At .... events it is a ................. as ought not be adopted or sanctioned ... getting rid of a pauper, .............under the circumstances the marriage ............... and the child would belong to you. I however trust that... this information your Parish will not allow themselves any such measure.
28 March 1831
signed ?
Vestry Clerk.
May 16 1831
Letter to the Churchwardens, Theydon Mount, Essex
Gentlemen
Notwithstanding my letter of the 28th March, it appears your people have had the Pauper Killerby and the Pauper Baker married - and they have been forced back with a child born in your Parish. I now write to know whether in you will consent to allow 2/6 a week for the child or if I must summons you which will be in London. In order to avoid the expense of two journies with the woman and child.
Bishopsgate 16 May 1831
signed Sir L. Smart.
Springfield Convict Gaol
To the Overseer of Theydon Mount, near Epping, Essex.
April 20th
Sir,
I therefore address you with this letter to inform you that I have very ill and thanks be to God I now gitting better of my illness. I shall esteem it as a favour if you wold confirm me when Harriett was confined that I may be able to say how long that I am to be confined heare (please to give my love to her) and I think long till the time comes that will relieve me from this as the place is all to gather wheary unheallfull.
I conclude with my kindest love to all that ask after me
Thomas Kellerby
N.B. please to send me answer by the return of post and pay the postage of the letter if you please.
Essex Chronicle 20th May 1949
Edward George was a private in the Suffolk Regiment and was killed on the 15 October 1917. Did Thomas and Charles both die during the Influenza Pandemic of 1918? Their deaths were both recorded in the Ongar area and so it seems most likely this was the cause of death.
[ERO D/P 142/18/3]