Part 2: Billy at Hampton Court - 1896
Thursday 30th January 1896
Had postcard from Phil Taylor offering me a start at Hampton
Court. After a good deal of considering, have decided to accept it
there being no hope of a start here in the near future.
Monday 3rd February 1896
Having packed my box and gone through other preliminaries, leaving
all at home in good health, caught the 8.03 for Leatherhead. Met
Jim Garman there (he being “out”). Got to Hampton Wick at 12,
arranged to lodge again at Mrs Belcham’s and went over to the
Palace after dinner. Found Phil in an excellent humour and was sent
to work with Bill Hall in the basement of the Banqueting Hall
making 9 hours. This evening, after sending a postcard to
M[1], had a stroll round Kingston
Market and to Free Library.
Banqueting House, Hampton
Court
Tuesday 4th February 1896
Having been proposed as a member of Kingston Workman’s club, went
there for first time this evening. Very nice place but am afraid
it’s frequented by some “doubtful cards”.
Wednesday 5th February 1895
Finished job at Banqueting House. Palace closed today on account of
funeral of Prince Henry of Battenberg.
Thursday 6th February 1896
Bill Hall and I sent to Malleson’s Mews.
Friday 7th February 1896
Helped polish floor in Oak Room[2]
this afternoon. Went to Entertainment Club with Bill Johnson this
evening. Very low affair. Music conspicuous by its absence.
Monday 17th February 1896
Bill Hall at work at Mrs Goodenough’s Dining and Drawing Room
Ceilings.
Friday 21st February 1896
Bill Hall and I, having finished job at Mrs Goodenough’s, sent to
do out two attics at Mr Chart’s.
Wednesday 26th February 1896
Finished attics and with Bill Hall and Ted Taylor cleaned off
Flower Pot Gate. Rather cold outside after working indoors.
Thursday 27th February 1896
Flower Pot Gate and Water Gallery Fence.
Flowerpot Gate, Hampton Court
Monday 2nd March 1896
With Bill Hall at Mrs Thomson’s, Hampton Court Palace “doing out” a
bedroom.
Thursday 5th March 1896
Having finished the room at Mrs Thomson’s, we were sent to Stud
House. Rare lot of work to be done there. Colonel Maude’s family
just vacated the place and Colonel Egerton is coming in.[3]
Saturday 6th June 1896
Stud House. Job being pushed on now with all speed. About 50 men of
various trades there now. Half the number of “skibs”[4].
Saturday 13th June 1896
Stud House. Billy and I been staining floors this few days. All in
a rare funk now. “People” expected next week.
Monday 15th June 1896
In the Round Conservatory today. Very ‘ot.
Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th June 1896
Colonel and Mrs Egerton back from Moscow to Stud House. Stud job
winding up now very fast and I [have been] ordered to Palace on
Monday. Five “annuals” put off. I’ve had a very good run there
since March 5th.
Monday 22nd June 1896
WJ and I in Graham’s kitchen. Tuesday to Lady Catherine
Loftus’[5] kitchen, pantry and
ceilings.
Wednesday 14th July 1896
Finished job this morning at Lady Loftus’ and started at Alf
Burnell’s house.
Saturday 18th July 1896
Burnell’s House. Ten chaps put off today. Work very slack.
Monday 20th July 1986
[Working] on the iron fence along the South Front.
Tuesday 21st July 1896
Burnell’s again. Sized and varnished kitchen paper.
Wednesday 22nd July 1896
Helped to finish up the fence job on South Front. Then started on
the bell turret over clock tower. Fine view of the country from
there.
Monday 27th July 1896
Billy Johnson and I at Brown the picture cleaner’s apartments to do
ceilings etc. in kitchen and living room.
Wednesday 29th July 1896
Finished job at Brown’s and started job on Lady Cavagan’s
staircase. All hands (7) here.
Monday 10th August 1896
Started a job at Bushey House. Believe we are to do north and east
fronts, laundry and a greenhouse or two (all outside). Four of us
at present (W.H., W.J., E.T.[6] and
self if we get no further help. The job will take from 2 to 3
months I expect.
Saturday 29th August 1896
Been at Bushey House all the week. It’s stated in various papers
(and contradicted on the spot) that the Duke of York has accepted
the place. Hope it may prove correct.
Saturday 19th September 1896
Johnson and I under orders for the Palace on Monday next. Have been
at Bushey House 6 weeks painting North and East fronts. Not bad
time compared with previous occasions I believe.
Monday 21st September 1896
Started in Mr Chart’s this morning with Johnson and the “Boss”.
Going to paint, distemper etc. in kitchen and scullery.
Rear view of Grace-and-Favour apartments, Hampton Court.
Saturday 26th September 1896
Finished job in Mr Chart’s yesterday and this morning started with
Billie Hall in Mrs Jack’s kitchen.
Monday 28th to Wednesday 30th September 1896
Mrs Jack’s kitchen. Have found in her a Sussexian, consequently we
“do” alright.
Thursday 1st October 1896
Sent back to Bushey House this morning, Johnson taking my job on.
The rumour re Duke of York having the place is denied.
Saturday 3rd October 1896
Bushey House. St. James Hall with P. Taylor.
Saturday 10th October 1896
Finished job at Bushey House today. There being nothing else “in”,
we were all put off except Johnson and Ted. Very sorry but mustn’t
grumble. I’ve had a good run there, all 8 months. Expect I shall
have a difficulty to get a job now. Things are very quiet as usual
I suppose this time of year.
- [1] Mary Ireland, a
girl he had been walking out with in Horsham. See forthcoming
posting on Billy’s courting experiences.
- [2] The Small Oak Room,
now known as the King’s Private Drawing Room.
- [3] Colonel Sir George
Ashley Maude (1817-1894) was Crown Equerry from 1859 till his
death.
- [4] Meaning not
known.
- [5] Lady Catherine
Loftus married her cousin, Captain AJ Loftus 18th Hussars. He was
Gentleman Usher to HM Queen Victoria, 1878-.
- [6] Bill Hall, Bill
Johnson and Ted Taylor.
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