Part 4: Billy goes a'courting - Little Taffy
After his break up with Mary Ireland in April, Billy returned to
his job at Hampton Court and started to take more interest in some
of the local young women. At the time, he was working on the
renovation of Stud House, a stately residence in Hampton Court
Park. He started to pay attention to a couple of the young servants
who were also working there.
Saturday 6th June 1896
This afternoon went to Fairfield Kingston and had a look at a Comic
(?) cricket match got up in aid of the local hospitals – merely a
lot of foolery. Called on Aunt this evening in Gibbon Road, spent
the evening with her and the Allens[1], afterwards met the two girls from Stud
House and saw them home.
Monday 8th June 1896
[Listened to] fine Band of the 3rd and 4th E.S.R[2] on Canbury Prom this evening. Afterwards,
had a walk with Catherine and Mary from Stud House.
Sunday 14th June 1896
Afternoon, met (by appointment) the little Welsh Lass and went to
Richmond. Very hot. Did Richmond in my usual style, tram return to
Kew etc. After tea had a very pleasant walk home by the river to
Ted Lk[3], then through
Bushey[4] Park to Stud House. She
being a nice quiet girl I enjoyed her company very much.
Monday 15th June 1896
Working in the Round Conservatory at Stud House today, very ’ot.
Militia Band on Canbury Prom. Met and had a walk with Catherine
G.
Sunday 21st June 1896
Hampton Wick Church this morning for first time. Afternoon and
evening with Catherine Griffiths. Went to Festival service at St.
Albans, Teddington. As usual, music very fine.
Monday 22nd June 1896
East Surrey Band on Canbury Prom. Met and saw C.G. home.
Sunday 28th June 1896
Congregational Chapel this morning. Met Catherine by appointment
and spent afternoon with her. [In the] evening, saw her again with
Mary K. C having to get back, the latter and I had a walk round
Barge Walk to Molesey Lock.
Monday 29th June 1896
Canbury Prom for Band of V Division Police. Saw C home.
Sunday 5th July 1896
Morning service at St. Johns, Hampton Wick. Afternoon with
Catherine and a little while this evening.
Sunday 12th July 1896
Met Catherine this afternoon and walked through Richmond Park to
the Star and Garter. Very hot again. Had tea and took bus to
Teddington. Having plenty of time, had a nice stroll and a seat in
Bushey Park.
Star and Garter, Richmond Hill,
reproduced from Billy’s copy of The Queen’s London, 1896,
p.15.
Sunday 19th July 1896 (Billy’s mother had come up to Richmond
for the weekend and was staying at Billy’s lodgings)
Mother and I lent a hand with preparation of dinner etc., Mrs Adams
being rather poorly still. Had a short stroll in Home Park. Met
Catherine G. After dinner walked to the Chapel Royal for afternoon
service, Mother wanting very much to go there. Bill Hall and family
met us coming back and all went home together. Had a very jolly
little tea party. Later on, all had a wander down the Promenade and
back to supper.
Sunday 26th July 1896
After dinner met Cath. G. and caught train for Waterloo. Came on to
rain just before we started and kept on all the way up. Our
destination was 26 Bruton Street, Berkeley Square to see a Mr
Coombs, an acquaintance of C. Arrived there by bus about 4.30, had
tea, a jaw and a look [over] part of the house. Then, the rain
having eased, C & I took an easy stroll to Waterloo, her first
visit to town. Got home by 9.30 at Kingston.
Sunday 9th August
Hampton Wick Church this morning. Kingston this afternoon with
Catherine.
Sunday 16th August 1896
Hampton Wick Church this morning. Saw Catherine there and had a
walk home with her through Bushey Park. Met her again after dinner
and went to Hampton Kingston Wesleyan Chapel in the evening. After,
met Billy J. and finished up at “the Hotel”.
Thursday 20th August 1896
.. met Catherine on the bridge, had a nice stroll, saw her
home.
Monday 24th August 1896
Monday evening out with Catherine.
Thursday 27th September
With Catherine. Have arranged to go to town on Sunday. C sent a box
of cigarettes on Wednesday.
Sunday 30th August 1896
After dinner met Catherine and caught 2.50 for Waterloo. From
there, made our way to Hyde Park, heard very fair mixed band. Tea
in Knightsbridge then a walk to Green Park and a hunt for St. James
Street, the former residence of Col. E.
Tuesday 1st September 1896
With Catherine this evening in Kingston – got caught in the
rain.
Friday 11th September 1896
This evening met C in Kingston. Brought her home while I cleaned
up. Had a short walk, saw her to Stud House, was then smuggled in
to servants hall by her and Mary for supper etc.
Sunday 13th September 1896
Met C in park, had a walk and came here to tea (first time).
Afterwards to St. Albans Teddington in the rain. Very nice service
again, sermon ditto if quantity counts for anything, otherwise it
was a poor affair. Had a nice walk home. Think I will stick to
Little Taffy. Comes as near my ideal as anyone yet, but of course,
only near.
Wednesday 16h September 1896 (Bern Baker and Annie Pearce up from
Horsham for the day to visit Billy)
After tea met Catherine and all four had another walk. B & A
left at 8.30 and then saw Catherine home.
Sunday 20 September 1896
Hampton Wick Church this morning. Saw Catherine there and walked
home with her.
Tuesday 22nd September 1896
Met Catherine in Kingston and had a walk around Kingston, then
home.
The Marketplace,
Kingston-Upon-Thames, reproduced from Billy’s copy of The Queen’s
London, 1896, p.247.
Sunday 27th September 1896
Met Catherine after dinner at Mrs Spratt’s, Stud Lodge. Had a short
stroll and back there for tea. Went to evening service together at
Hampton Wick and spent remainder of evening at the Lodge, staying
to supper.
Thursday 1st October 1896
Evening spent at Stud House with Catherine.
Sunday 4th October
Mary Gannon and Bob Merrett here today. Took former to St. John’s
this morning. Saw Catherine there and walked home with her
arranging to see her in the afternoon. Met her at Mrs Spratt’s and
went back to the house, the family being away. Spent the evening in
the Library, had tea and stayed till about 9 p.m.
Monday 5th October 1896
Catherine here to tea. Mar G. here also in fact very much so, Mrs
A. and her indulging in a little “music”. C and I saw the little
“warbler” off from Hampton Wick Station then I took C home.
Thursday 8th October 1896
This evening both C and Mary Kennett called so went for a short
stroll with the pair.
Sunday 11th October 1896
Went to Stud House after tea. Found C very poorly and no wonder,
she having had 10 teeth extracted on Friday last. I reckon she’s a
“plucked ‘un”.
Sunday 18th October 1896
After dinner called at Mrs Spratt’s for Catherine. Thought she
seemed a good deal better but subsequent events caused me to doubt
this. We had a walk to Kingston via the Fairfield to Kingston
Cemetery, my first acquaintance with that place. It’s rather
prettily situated on a little brow, quite a relief to the flat
country round here. Contains several good monuments but none to any
remarkable personage that I’m aware of. Came back and by the
kindness of Mrs Spratt, stayed there to tea. Went down to the house
later and stayed there till 9 p.m. with C who was very poorly again
owing I suppose both to indigestion and the effects of the visit to
the dentist last Friday.
- [1] By chance, some
days earlier, Billy had run across his Aunt Elizabeth Wheatley (née
Hoad) of Tunbridge Wells who was up in Kingston on holiday and
staying with the Allen family in Gibbon Road, Kingston. Billy
visited the house several times during his Aunt’s stay.
- [2] East Surrey
Regiment.
- [3] Teddington
Lock.
- [4] As noted in the
posting on Hampton Court, ‘Bushy’ Park was generally spelt with an
‘e’ in the late 19th Century.
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