1920 News
History > Newspaper Stories 1900 - 2000 > 1920-1929
31 Jan 1920 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Pigs for Sale
"Middle white store pigs, 14 weeks; and Leghorn Cockerels - Harris, Hartley Drive (sic), Longfield." [Probably St Margaret, Manor Drive]
27 Feb 1920 Sevenoaks Chronicle
Hartley Primary School
Favourable report on fabric of Hartley School by KCC architect (details)
28 Feb 1920 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Triple Tragedy at Longfield
"Five miles from Gravesend, at Pinden, Longfield, a terrible triple tragedy, gruesome and revolting in its details was discovered yesterday (Thursday). Three little children were found buried in a stone quarry, having been murdered, while a 4th child was recovered alive from the bottom of a well 69 feet deep, after a terrible ordeal.
The names of the three little victims are: Laura Annie Kathleen Reed, aged 10; Violet Elsie May Reed, aged 9 andn Walter George Charles Reed, aged 7. The 4th child who lies in Gravesend Hospital in a very serious condition is Albert Frank Reed, a boy of 6. They are the children of George Reed, aged about 36, a native of the Longfield District, who was charged yesterday before the Dartford magistrates with murdering the 3 children and attempting to murder the 4th.
A graphic story of how the crime was discovered was told to a KM representative yesterday by Mr Harry Shipp, manager to Messrs J & B Martin Ltd of Pinden Farm. Mr Shipp stated that he was aroused from his sleep at 3am yesterday morning by his dog, an affectionate retreiver, barking. He went down and quieted the dog and returned to bed again. He got up again at 6 o'clock and immediately hte dog went racing down towards a well which faces the farm on the opposite side of the road. Puzzled at the curious behaviour of his pet, Mr Shipp followed. At the well he found a young man named James Penticost, whose attention had been attracted there when passing on his way to work, an done of the farm's drivers whom Penticost had fetched. They told Mr Shipp there was a child at the bottom of the well. Mr Shipp then heard the boy talking. He called out to him, 'What is your name?' and the poor little fellow replied distinctly, 'Frank Reed.'
The well, which has a thatched roof erected over it, is about 69 feet in depth, by about 5 feet diameter. Steps were speedily taken by Mr Shipp to rescue the child. A lamp, some rope and a bath were procured and lowered. The bath was attached to ropes and the rescue party called out to the little boy to get inside it. After he had shouted that he was in the bath they heaved it up, and nearly got it to the top when they found the boy was only hanging on the side of the bath. Before Mr Shipp could reach him the little chap let go and fell to the bottom of the well again. Penticost then volunteered to go down the well. He did so, and having lashed the boy to him both were hauled to the surface. The boy was still conscious, but suffering badly from shock and pain, and after being attended to was hastily conveyed to the Gravesend Hospital.
The father of the child came on the scene while the rescue work was going on, and Mr Shipp said to Reed: 'Is this your boy down here?' Reed replied, 'Yes'. Mr Shipp asked him how the boy came to get there. Reed made no reply and walked away across the fields to where he was lodging at Hillside Cottages, Fawkham Road. Later after breakfast, Reed came down to the junction of the four cross roads at Longfield and waited in the middle of the road. Sgt Dearing found him there and informed Reed he was going to arrest him for attempted murder. Then, in consequence of something Reed told him, Sgt Dearing accompanied him to a hollow spot in a stone quarry which is about 300 yards from the well, and on the farm estate, just off the Dartford Road. Reed pointed out the place. Procuring a shovel, Sgt Dearing unearthed the dead bodies of three little children, two girls and a boy. Two of them had been smashed on the head with a stone hammer used in the quarry, while the elder girl had been strangled with her tam-o-shanter. Pencils had been used to tighten it round the little victim's neck. All three children were quite dead, and the Sergeant had them conveyed to Martin's Farm.
Mr Shipp told our representative that he had known Reed for 19 years. He used to be a waggoner on Pinden Farm. Being a Reserve man, he was called up when the war broke out. He served in the Royal West Kent Regiment and lost an eye in the battle of Mons. He was demobilised about 12 months ago, about the time his wife died. He had 6 children. Two of them, the eldest and the youngest, have been living with Mrs Robinson, Hillside Cottages, where the father was lodging. Reed got an aunt living at Croydon to take the other 4 children, who figure in this tragedy. The aunt having been taken suddenly ill, wired to Reed on Wednesday to say he must come and take them away as there was nobody to look after them. He left Fawkham Station at 4.30 on Wednesday afternoon, and arrived back at Longfield Halt at 9.15 in the evening with these 4 little children from Croydon. Since he has been demobilised, we understand, Reed has been casually employed at a cement works at Stone." [Hillside Cottages are now in Fawkham Parish]
13 Mar 1920 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Glenhome for Sale
"For sale by private treaty. A very charming smallholding situate on the Fairby Farm Estate, Fawkham, Hartley, Kent, comprising a convenient and well built dwelling house, known as Glenhome and nearly 5 acres of first class arable land, fully developed as a market garden and planted with the choicest fruit trees in full bearing. This most desirable property adjoins the main road, and is within easy distance of London, Gravesend, Rochester and chatham. To view apply to the tenant, Mr Mark Webb, and for selling price and all further particulars to Stilling, Ker & Duckworth, Surveyors, The Mart, Bridgwater." [Now Kingswood, Ash Road]
27 Mar 1920 Country Life
Old Downs for Sale
(Hampton & Sons Auction Advert) "The well placed and compact freehold residential property known as The Old Downs, Hartley near Longfield, standing about 320 feet up, with fine open views. Comfortable modern house, approached by long carriage drive with entrance lodge; 11 bed and dressing rooms, 2 bathrooms, galleried lounge hall, 4 reception rooms, and domestic offices; detached stabling for 4, living rooms over, small farmery; pretty gardens, wood, grassland; in all about 22½ acres. Electric light, central heating, co's water; good repair. With possession....." (with Picture)
27 Mar 1920 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Bees etc For Sale
"For sale, Stonehouse 30 gallon Barrow Sprayer with lance, hose and nozzles, complete; practically new - Scott, Fairby Grange, Hartley, Longfield, Kent."
"For sale. Apiary of 26 colonies, 24 hives of standard pattern, 12 frame size and interchangeable; also general equipment of frams, shallow supers, excluders, refiners, feedera and reversible extractor; purchaser to remove - Scott, Fairby, Hartley, Longfield, Kent."
"Four stocks of bees, six hives, quantity of extra fittings. Veil, bellows, glass honey jars etc - Villarosa, Hartley, Longfield, Kent."
Greenhouse Pipes, 150 ft (about), 3in pipes at Longfield Village Club. Offers wanted - HC Hickmott, Hon Sec, Longfield, Kent."
Servants wanted
"Wanted cook and under-housemaid - Apply Mrs Lowis, Old Downs, Hartley, Longfield."
03 Apr 1920 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Poultry House for Sale
"Poultry House 30ft by 12ft by 9?ft high in front, ¾in boarding; rubberoid covered £10, purchaser to take down and clear - Weston, Irene House, [Hillside, Grange Lane] Hartley, Longfield, Kent."
Similar ad in Gravesend Messenger 20.3.1920 also mentions rabbits - pair prize Polish, 25s pair; English Buck and Doe, prize strain, 25s pair.
17 Apr 1920 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) Dartford RDC - improvements to Ash-Longfield Road; (2) Advert for sale of building land at Merton Avenue & Woodland Avenue
17 Apr 1920 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Sir A W Smithers MP at Longfield
"A public meeting of the electors of Longfield was held on Friday evening at the National Schools, under the auspices of the Longfield Unionist Association, when Sir Alfred W Smithers MP for the Chislehurst division, gave an address. The chair was taken by Mr T C Allchin (Chairman of the Local Association). Lengthy report of MP's speech. He blamed high prices on problems in food suppliers in Russia and central Europe. He said Bolshevism had ruined Russia and had its supporters in Britain. He said he supported Trade Unions, but disliked strikes and nationalisation. He argued for tribunals of employers and employees to consider complaints.
24 Apr 1920 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Daily Help
"Daily girl from about 8.30 till 3pm, small cottage, two gentlemen, apply Cherry Orchard Farm, Hartley, Longfield."
01 May 1920 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Cook Required
"Required immediately, superior cook general for country; two in family; help given; wages £30 - reply with full particulars, reference, age etc to Mrs Bourdillon, June Hill, Hartley, Near Longfield."
Dartford RDC Housing scheme
Tenders invited from contractors for a number of sites including Fawkham (4 houses at Speedgate), Ridley Wood (6 houses); Ash (12 houses at the Forge); Longfield (10 houses at Whitehill) [7-25 Main Road]
15 May 1920 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Cricket Hartley v Longfield
at Hartley. Hartley 76 (L Champion 4, H Baker 16, A Humphrey 6; F Crick 7, F Hurst 10; T Elliott 16; J Rich 2; C Ellerby 3; D Rose 1; H Woodward 3; W Braybrook 3*; Extras 5). Longfield 55 (Groves 1; Outram 17; Fidder 0; Fuller 17; G Lynds 9; Oxley 5*; Langford 1; A Lynds 0; Heaver 0; Foster 0; Hollands 0; Extras 5. Ellerby took 4 wickets, Humphrey 3)
05 Jun 1920 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Plots for sale at Hartley
"Land Freehold. £50 per acre, in 2 acre plots for sale; 25 per cent deposit; balance 5 years, one mile Fawkham Station. Apply Small Owners Ltd, Fairby Farm, Longfield, Kent"
15 Jul 1920 Daily Mirror
Beauty Products for Sale
Advert for Beauty Products - Fletcher, Timber Cottage. Widnes Examiner 31/7/20 has advert from them "Ladies' Jumpers, hand knitted, your own materials, 15/9."
03 Aug 1920 Times
Derilict farms reclaimed - Kent Committee's success
"… At Hartley land, Fawkham, the committee have taken over a derilict building site of 55½ acres of arable land. Of this 9½ acres are sown with winter oats after wheat last season. This does not look promising, although some improvement is shown since they have been top dressed with 1½ cwt of sulphate of ammonia per acre. Of 15 acres of Arran Chief Potatoes, 10 acres are after barley and the remainder after wheat. Considering the nature of the land the crops here are exceptionally promising"
(Woodland Avenue, Gresham Avenue, Larksfield, Wellfield Estate)
03 Aug 1920 Daily Mirror
Shave without a Razor
Advert: "Shave without a razor; easy, quick, simple; 1 shilling. Fletcher, Timber Cottage, Hartley, Longfield, Kent."
14 Aug 1920 Gravesend Reporter
Hartley Cricket Club
Cricket - Hartley beat APCM by 47 runs; C Ellerby made 21
14 Aug 1920 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Fruit Cultivation
"Members of the Hartley Agricultural Cooperative Society paid a visit on Friday to the Experimental Fruit Station at East Malling. The Director, Mr R G Hatotn, explained the working of the Station. The visit was quite illuminating to the fruit growers, who found Mr Hatton's demonstrations of the various dapartments of his work most interesting and valuable. The opinion expressed by the visitors was that the pruning experimental plots alone should attract evry commercial grower, and that in their own plantations the methods of pruning would be modified immediately. Mr Hatton's lucid explanations and his courteous handling of all enquiries greatly added to the value of the visit. In the afternoon the party motored via Maidstone, along the medway, and travelled home via Tonbridge and Sevenoaks. The outing was voted a great success."
20 Aug 1920 Kent & Sussex Courier
Harding v Symons
Harding v Symons (of Heort Lea), plaintiff awarded £6 for delays in delivery of wood
21 Aug 1920 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Horticultural Show
Annual show of Ash, Fawkham, Hartley, Kingsdown, Ridley and Stansted Horticultural society at Old Downs. Exhibits included an antique sampler and bedspread from Mrs Balchin and an old beautifully worked farmer's smock from Mr George Day. List of organisers and prize winners.
21 Aug 1920 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley and District Horticultural Show
Long description and list of winners. Held at Old Downs.
17 Sep 1920 Daily Herald
Enemy Children
Little 8 year old Anton Marsidoechek had fallen into the flower-bed. How, nobody could exactly discover, although there was evidence that Anton Plattensteiner had pushed him in. As with the war, there were dissentient opinions over causes, but concerning the consequetn material disaster there could be no argument. Five bright geraniums lay crushed and broken, and obviously it would be weeks before that side of he bed could regain its normal beauty. This Mr Rose, the gardener, sorrowfuly explained in words of which Anton understood the meaning. Tears of utter misery flowed over on to his cheeks. He took the gardener's big brown hand, and chokingly affirmed that he was sehr, sehr traurig. Mr Rose is a true and tender hearted man, and he remembers that it is for something more than military victory that his own boy sleeps beneath the flowers in France.
Including the two Antons there are 20 Viennese children at Fairby Grange, where this incident occurred the other day. In age they range from 8 to 13, and they are now domiciled in England for a stay of at least 6 months, perhaps a year. All were memebers of the first installment of 500, brought to this country from the wreck of Austria by the Fight the Famine Council, and they are now being cared for under the general relief programme of the Society of Friends.
Fairby Grange itself, situated but 25 miles from London, is such a spot as one would like to see available to disinherited children the world over. 20 acres of garden, orchard, and pasture surround the old oak-timbered homestead. There is a fern-ringed pond where tadpoles and lizards lurk, and there is also a barn which is readily adaptable for theatrical purposes on rainy days. In the barnyards is found almost every type of domestic animal, while a croquet lawn is hidden in the heart of the garden. Further away from the house is a field, now marked out for football and sports, and more woods where wild flowers and many berries grow.
To this children's paradise came, ten weeks ago, the score of ragged little waifs who form its present happy tenants. Let it be said right away that they do not resemble the ghastly specimens of skin and bone one reads about and sees depicted as typical of Austria's youth today. Those who are chosen to come to England ar eall of pre-war birth, and are also, I believe, selected on the stern but perhaps merciful principle that only such as can be brought back to complete health are woth the trouble of saving. Now, after their regimen of wholesome food and country air, the children here would be a normal group were not several so pale and undersized.
The attitude of the older boys towards the war is interesting. All are lads of spirit, and of just that age when a childish patriotism might be expected to rule their thoughts on this subject. Furthermore, there is not one of them without close relatives on the long list of his country's killed. Yet one finds in these litte scions of a ruined empire a breath of viewpoint sometimes lacking in the victors. 'Austria didn't want the war,' they assert. 'Franz Joseph signed the mobilisation decree against his will. Aber Kaiser Wilhelm war blutduratig. He forced us in. He wanted Germany to rule the world.' And one boy added - 'Besides we had to fight because Serbia wanted to destroy our empire. Serbia was to us like Ireland is to England, you know.'
Of more present concern are the stories of the ghastly conditions in Vienna in the closing days of war and since. One boy tells of a street scene in front of his home a week before the armistice was signed. A military automobile knocked down and killed a mongrel dog. Passers-by fought for the possession of the carcass, literally tearing the animal to pieces in their anxiety to obtain 'fresh meat' for the family table. A girl lost her Persian cat to the same end, and no pets, it seems, were safe from 'the men who went about the streets with sacks.' Every child at Fairby today is familar with the taste of horse and dog and cat.
One could dwell at length on details of the present reconstructive life these children. I would like to tell of the sweet old German songs they sing in chorus on their walks; of the painstaking picture of Fairby Grange Walter has drawn and painted in order that his mother may have an idea of his English home; of the zeal with which many apply themselves to learning English and French (which last half-a-dozen studied during the war and insist on continuing); of their interest in chess, which several play remarkably well, and football, in which they are also proficient; of the dainty theatre they have fitted up in the barn, where they improvise their own plays.
Just children - sometimes a little mischievous, a little tiresome, a little naughty, but always interesting and appealing - such must be one's final judgement on the quaint community now living on the charity of their conquerors at Fairby Grange. Just children, but also embryo directors of the fate of Europe, who will never forget the kindness shown the by the English during a crucial formative period of their lives. Average little mortals they are, and concerning the like of them it was said nearly 2,000 years ago, that 'whosover shall receive this child in My name receiveth Me.'
Even after WW1 ended the British did not stop the blockade of Germany and Austria, which led to famine. Dr Salter made over his home at Fairby to help starving children recover. The Charity Save the Children was set up by Eglantine Jebb as part of the same effort. She was a true modern saint who was arrested for her efforts to tell the truth about what British foreign policy was doing to the children of Austria. The judge in her case paid her fine because he was so impressed with her.
02 Oct 1920 Gravesend Reporter
Hoselands Hill
Landowner at Hoselands Hill giving up land for road improvements
09 Oct 1920 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
New phone line
"Post Office Telegraphs: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the Telegraph Acts 1863 to 1916, that His Majesty's Postmaster General, having obtained the consent in that behalf of the body having the control of the public road described below, intends to place a telegraphic line over and along the said public road, and for that purpose to erect and maintain posts in and upon the same under the powers conferred on him by the said Telegraph Acts. By command of the Postmaster General - From the existing route near Stocks Farm to a point near Hartley Manor, Hartley"
30 Oct 1920 (1) Gravesend Reporter; (2) Maidstone Telegraph
Local News in Brief
(1) Post Office agrees to move telegraph pole 12' at Hoselands Hill; (2) Home Counties Laying Meal chicken food, stocked by English Bros, Hartley.
05 Nov 1920 Tonbridge Free Press (KM)
Death of a former schoolmaster
"Another old Tonbridgean passed away on Saturday last at Longfield, near Gravesend, at the residence of his son, in the person of Harry Letchford. Deceased, who was well known and respected in the neighbourhood, for nearly 40 years kept a private school in Tonbridge, first at Church House, and later in the Hadlow Road. Many of his old pupils are at present holding responsible positions in Tonbridge and elsewhere. The school closed soon after the opening of the Judd (then Commercial) School and Mr Letchford moved to Longfield in 1912. Deceased, who was in his 81st year was an old member of the Town of Tonbridge Lodge of Oddfellows, and was also connected with several local institutions, always taking a great interest in the welfare of the town. He leaves an invalid wife of 53. Yesterday (Thursday) his remains were brought for burial at Tonbridge Cemetery.... (list of mourners)...."
13 Nov 1920 Gravesend Reporter
Land for Sale
Auction of 6 building plots at Merton Ave & Woodlands Ave
20 Nov 1920 (1) Evesham Standard; (2-3) Maidstone Telegraph
Nursery crops
Costen (of the Homestead [now The Old Orchard], Church Road) - 1,200 apple and pear trees for sale, 1-3 foot circumference;
20 Nov 1920 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Adverts
(1) "Young lady seeks situation as shorthand typist; slight knowledge business training; age 16 - Owaissa, Hartley Green, Longfield."; (2) Wanted Wire haired terrier puppy (male), must be clean, Dunster, Hartley Green, Longfield."
27 Nov 1920 (1) Gravesend Reporter; (2) Maidstone Telegraph
Local News in Brief
(1) Requests from parish meeting for Ash Road improvements; (2) Harmonium for Sale: Five stops, just overhauled. Harris, Hartley, Longfield
18 Dec 1920 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Fruit trees for sale
"1,200 apple trees, Bramleys, Newtons, Derbys, Lanes, Annie Elizabeth, Charles Ross, Worcesters, Cox's Orange, Beauty Bath, James Grieve. 1 to 3ft. Conference, Fertility, William Pears, 2 and 3 years - Costen, Hartley, Longfield, Kent." [similar advert the previous week also mentions 520 redcurrants].
25 Dec 1920 Gravesend Reporter
Ash Road Widening
Dartford RDC reccommends widening Fairby-Black Lion section of Ash Rd
25 Dec 1920 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Jam Factory to Let
"To let - Jam Factory completely equipped with plant, capable of turning out 5 tons per week; further plant available; also large outbuildings, together with offices which can be converted into dwelling house; half acre of ground. Also Grocery Stores suitable for general country business. Also Butcher's shop. The whole comprising Fairby Farm Central Depot of Small Owners Ltd, Hartley, Longfield, Kent. Possession within 1 month or earlier can be arranged. The sale of the whole would be considered. Full particulars on application to registered offices, 175 Piccadilly W1."