Thorley Articles in the Herts and Essex Observer1919
18 January 1919 p5
Obituary
Mrs ET Watts, whose late husband Mr ET Watts of Southmill for a very long period filled the offices of surveyor and inspector to the Hadham and Stansted Rural District Council. Her death occurred on Wednesday.
P5 col 7
War Savings Associations
The results for December for Thorley - £77/13/6d.
25 January 1919 p2 col 5
Urban District Council – Highways & Sanitation Matters
A letter had been received from Mr WJ Palmer of the Green Man, Thorley, asking for additional light in Great Hadham Road, near the kennels. The Clerk was directed to reply that in view of the general restrictions on public lighting, the Council do not see their way to extend it in this direction.
Housing a meeting with representatives of Messrs Featherby’s Ltd with reference to the London Road Site ……….. land available to the Council for 34 houses. Council to meet with representatives of Featherby’s and Mr Watts,
Light wanted The Clerk submitted a petition asking the Council to re-light a street lamp at the end of Twyford Lane, South Mill, owing to a dangerous position and to an adjacent low wall. It was signed by sixteen residents in or near Twyford Road. Mr Carruthers thought it a very fair application. The Vice Chairman (F Fowler) did not consider it to be more needed than the application the Council had just refused. He proposed that Mr Kent and the Surveyor, who had previously selected the lamps to be re-lighted, bw not bothered any more. Mr Brazier :They will all be alight in time, and then we shall “save expense”. The matter was not further considered.
25 January 1919 p5 col 1
The Funeral of the late Mrs ET Watts
Took place at Thorley churchyard on Saturday. The remains were incased in an oak coffin with brass fittings, bearing the inscription “Frances Elizabeth Watts, died January 15th 1919 aged 70”. The mourners were: Miss D Watts (daughter), Mr AT Watts (step-son), Miss J Watts (step-daughter), Dr Diver (brother), Mrs Bradford (sister), Miss Bradford (niece), Mrs ET Watts (niece), Mr AG Gwynn, Mrs N Gillett and N urse Coyle. Many wreaths were sent.
P5 col 7
Thorley. War Memorial
An oak panel set in an oak frame, with the names incised of the men of Thorley, who have fallen in the Great War, has been placed in the Church. The names were [ca…] in the panel by Mr Frere, while the wood was the gift of Mr Featherby. The names on the panel, which are placed in the order in which they fell, are as follows: James William [Prior], Stanley Francis Newman, Frank Edward [B..}, George Cornelius Brewster, Albert Isaac Hammond, Bartle Laurie Stuart Frere, William George Doe, Arhtur Threadgold, Herbert Handscomb, Charles Clark, Albert James Clark, William John Curtiss, Frederick Herbert [Ben…] and William Alfred Saban.
1 February 1919
Thorley Sites for new cottages
The Parish Council held a meeting on Tuesday to consider the question of suitable sites for the four cottages which it is proposed to build in Thorley, in accordance with the scheme formulated by the Local Government Board. Two sites, each adapted for two cottages, were suggested: the one in Thorley Street and the other on the road leading to Thorley Houses.
Proposed Entertainment for Thorley Service Men
At the same meeting, the Chairmen (the Rev JEI Procter) suggested that steps should be taken to provide an entertainment for the Thorley sailors and soldiers on their return home. It was suggested that later on, when the men have been demobilized, there should be s service in the Church, to which it was hoped all the parishioners would come, and that afterwards the men should be suitable entertained. No doubt the parishioners will be glad to contribute towards the funds for this purpose, in order that they may show their gratitude to those who have done so much for them.
Parish Gathering
A very successful parish tea, organized by the ladies of Thorley, was held in the school on Friday. The room was filled to its utmost capacity. After an excellent tea, a very enjoyable entertainment. Arranged by Mrs Streeter and Mrs Frere, was given, which afforded much pleasure to the large audience. The following was the programme:-
Rule Britannia
Duet “My Mother’s Rosary”, Bombadier Gregson and Gunner Rabley
Song, Miss Porter
Violin solo, Mr Whitworth
Song, “Burlington Bertie”, Gunner Rabley
Play without words, “Love and Courtship”, Miss Streeter and Miss Luard
Recitation, Miss Knox
Duet, “In my dear old home town”, Bombadier Gregson and Gunner Rabley
Rags and Tatters Troupe
Duet “Jogging along the highway”, Bombadier Gregson and Gunner Rabley
Song, Miss Porter
Violin solo, Mr Whitworth
Song “Reckless Reggie”. Gunner Rabley
Song “Friend o’ mine” Bombadier Gregson
Recitation, Miss Knox
Song “Drake is going west”, Bombadier Gregson
Rags and Tatters Troupe
God Save the King.
At the conclusion the Rector (Rev JEI Procter) proposed a hearty vote of thanks to all who had contributed towards the success of the evening.
8 Febuary 1919 p5 col 5
Bishop’s Stortford Housing Scheme – A Practical Start
Land to be bought at South Mill for first workmen’s dwellings. A report of a council meeting on whether to purchase land at South Mill for subsidized workmen’s housing – the land fronts on to London Road at South Mill, and is currently owned by Featherby’s and the executors of ET Watts.
15 February 1919 p2 col 7
Thorley A Trooper’s Death – Family’s heavy war losses.
General sorrow has been caused in Thorley by the death on Tuesday, from pneumonia, of Trooper Joseph Walter Clark, of the Hertfordshire Yeomanry, the fourth son of Mr and Mrs James Albert Clark, of Moor Hall Cottages, Thorley. The deceased, who was in the Hertfordshire Constabulary before joining the army, had served abroad in France, Egypt, Palestine and Syria, and only returned last week after an absence abroad of over two years. His eldest brother, Major Charles Clark, MC, of the Royal Field Artillery, was killed in action in France last April, and another brother, Sergeant Albert James Clark, of the Army Veterinary Corps, died last May. The deepest sympathy is felt for Mr and Mrs Clark, who have thus lost three sons in less than a year. The funeral, which will be with Military Honours, will take place at Thorley Church today (Saturday) at 2.30pm.
22 February 1919 p5 col 3
War Savings Committee
Results for Thorley for January - £67/9/6d.
P6 col 7
Thorley Military Funeral
The late Trooper Joseph Walter Clark of the Hertfordshire Yeomanry was buried with military honours at Thorley on Saturday. The coffin, wrapped in a Union Jack, was carried into the church by a detachment of the Hertforshire Yeomanry. The burial service was read by the Rector (Rev JEI Procter). There were two hymns, namely “Fight the good fight” and “For all the saints”. Then before leaving the church the “Nunc Dimittis” was sung kneeling. Miss Eccles presided at the organ. After the committal a detachment of the Hertfordshire Yeomanry fired three volleys over the grave and the Last Post was sounded. The grave was lined with evergreens. In addition to the Hertfordshire Yeomanry there was also present a detachment of the Hertfordshire Constabulary, to which the deceased belonged before joining the army. The immediate mourners were:- Mrs Clark (mother), Mr William Clark and Mr Thomas Clark (brothers), Mr Charles Day and Mr Willie Day (uncles), Mrs Wynhall (aunt), and Miss May Ansell. A very large number of the parishioners were present to show their respect for the deceased and their sympathy with his parents, who have lost three soldier sons in less than a year. Among those present were:- Mr and Mrs Frere, Mrs and Miss Streeter, Colonel Harrison, Miss Procter, Mr Newman, Mr Reginald Newman, Mr Alford, Mr Watson, Mr William Harris etc. Major Streeter was unable through illness to be present, but was represented by Col EG Harrison, CB, DSO..
In his sermon on Sunday morning, the Rector spoke of the services which Joseph W Clark had rendered as a choirman, of his love for the church and its services, and of his manly Christian character, which endeared him to all who knew him.
1 March 1919 p5 col 1
Thorley
Mr and Mrs JA Clark and family wish to thank all friends for their kind sympathy on their sad bereavement and for the beautiful floral tributes sent.
15 March 1919
Petty Sessions Sequel to a war wedding
Allan W Dyson, warehouseman, of St James Road Bermondsey, was summoned on the application of his wife, Alice G Dyson, of Thorley, for an order for maintenaince. The husband did not appear. Complainant said they were married at Thorley Church on November 24th 1917, her husband being at that time a gunner in the Royal Field Artillery. He had previously been stationed at Bishop’s Stortford, and came home on leave from France to be married. At that time complainant was living with her mother at Thorley. She received an army separation allowance until February 19th this year, and her husband was demobilized on February 22nd. She went to London while he was on leave for a month before his demobilization and stayed at his people’s house at St James Road, Bermondsey. She returned home to Thorley on February 17th, and after reaching home received from him, dated February 17th, which ran: “I have fully made up my mind that you and I are going to part for good, as I cannot live with you any longer. I am leaving Cissy’s place on Monday, while you are on your way home, and I am going north to join up again., but I will not leave you penniless. You will receive an allotment, the same as you received before. It is no use you trying to find me. It is no use you saying that you will forgive me. I shall continue going in as I do until you divorce me. I shall never live with you again. I shall make you a separation allowance of 12/6d per week. It is no use you pleading for me to come back to you.” On February 19th she went to London to see him, and met him in St James Road. He then told her he had taken £10 out of her box as security for his army gratuity money, in case it fell into her hands.