General Sir George Higginson - the man and the myth

 General Sir George Higginson was one of Marlow's most famous residents of his day, with a long and distinguished military career with the Guards. Many in Victorian and Edwardian Marlow were obviously very proud of him and of course he lent his name to Higginson Park* as presented to the town on the occasion of his 100th birthday in 1926. However this post isn't about the man as a soldier. As such his career obviously took him far away from his childhood home. I was interested in the General as a Marlow resident, how he fitted into the life of the town. There are many stories and images conjured up that name and I wanted to seperate something of the man and the myth. I've been told he was seen as: a venerated hero, an unpopular and cruel J.P who sent poor men to jail for minor offences, an eccentric who personally dug a canal, a distant figure who "did nothing for the town", "the man who sent Marlow boys to their death in the First world War"  and the generous stalwart of every institution going. I'm pleased to say I can clear George absolutely of those most negative charges! 

A local..or not?

As I mentioned above, Sir George's long military career meant he saw service in many foreign theatres of war. His various postings meant his time in Marlow was necessarily limited when he was on active service. His family home for decades was "Gyldernscroft" in Henley Rd, now sub divided. Previously it was known as The Croft, The Hall, and Townsend Cottage - Gyldernscroft was a revival of the older name for the place. Like many people of a similar comfortable background, Sir George's family long maintained a London home too, for example in Wilton Crescent. So even when in England, his residence in Marlow was not usually year round. Marlow thought of him as absolutely theirs but in reality those in his area of London probably would have claimed him too. And would have expected his trade and custom just as much as the Marlow ones - some said later he didn't support Marlow shops but without the family account books this is impossible to verify! The fact that local tradesmen were invited to celebrations of the wedding of his daughter Maud in 1889 suggests relations were reasonably cordial.  

Gyldernscroft was sometimes let out for example for the river season and Sir George also spent time abroad for health and leisure reasons. For example the General and wife Florence spent several months in Italy in 1887 and in the south of France in early 1914.

 But the important thing is, while he was in town he threw himself into the life of the place. He was a J.P,  a member of every club and committee going and was one of those heading the list of just about all charity appeals. While it was a given that any owner of big house in town would get voted into positions like vice president of social and sporting events, some politely sent apologies for non attendance at meetings more often than not. Not Sir George, and not even when he was in his 90s did he slow down much. He wasn't just a member of the Literary Institute but gave lectures there when they struggled financially to find speakers. (Subject 1889 - heroism. It went down well). 

A friend to the little ones 

One aspect of Sir George which is not often recalled was his affinity with children. While the adults may have treated him with something like awe at times, Sir George recounted his pleasure when the youngsters came up to him in the street, took his hand and told him their news. Not quite the image we have of the stern war hero is it? He was especially devoted to the children of Bovingdon Green school, an area where he owned a lot of land. He provided a sorely needed extra room for the overcrowded village school in 1892 in memory of his mother. But he was also hands on there, serving the children personally at some of the special teas he provided them with. Others recalled that the General joined in with the children's games at parties - even in his 90s. 

Peril to poachers? 

Sir George was a J.P for decades. As such he saw a poaching related case at almost every session he attended. It was, like the theft of prickwood** one of the most popular Marlow activities. But after reading reports of quite literary hundreds of these kind of cases heard by Sir George at Marlow, I can say with confidence that a very small number of those accused of  either went to prison on a first offence. Those that did had an been guilty of an aggravating factor such as the use of particular violence against the game keeper or police when apprehended. What is more surprising is how those whose convictions ran comfortably  into double figures managed to keep "getting away" with fines. That doesn't mean the game preservation laws were not heavily weighted towards the wants of landowners - of which the J.P's were to a man. They did not adjudicate on cases occuring on their own holdings though. I think some of the confusion has been because Sir George's namesake father and other relatives were J.P's in an era when the punishments were harsher still. I think the magistrates avoided jail sentences because while the convicted persons families could not claim parish relief while they were behind bars, if the convicted person lost a job or fell behind on rent later as a result then the family could potentially qualify for support. And there there was the expense of keeping them in prison and transporting them there and back. And for felonies, the Marlow bench including Sir George  didn't get to decide the sentence anyway - the case went to the Quarter Sessions. If they had sent every poacher to jail on first arrest, it feels like half of Marlow's poorer population would have been behind bars at any one time! 

There was one way you could get sent immediately to jail on a first poaching offence, and that was to fail to pay the inevitable fine. Poorer people could ask for time to pay and nearly always got it, unless they had an extra long list of convictions or had cheeked the police. This was usually 7 or 14 days. Almost all cases I looked at saw those convicted pay immediately or within the allowed time. We can only guess at the struggles they had to raise those sums. 

 Once he (semi) retired to Marlow, Sir George was one of the most present J.Ps at the Marlow sessions.  

As for other types of case, Sir George was often generous by the standards of the time in his decisions especially during the First World War years. For example in 1914 he adjourned a case of using indecent language againgst Emily Carter of Trinity Rd indefinitely so that she may have every chance to "reform her character". It wasn't her first offence and she had unpaid court  fines. As such she could have been sent to jail and certainly could have got a hefty fine. He accepted she became - in others words - a "terror" when in drink but also that she had three serving sons, and a hardworking husband. 

Canals and gondoliers

The "General's Canal" from Gyldernscroft to the Thames opposite Bisham church was said to be dug by the man himself, with just one helper. It would have been hard work for whoever did it,  especially where the willow trees roots spread. Was he hands on with the shovels? I have no evidence to the contrary! 

The motivation was to provide easy access to the river. Sir George in 1899 had just purchased a genuine Venetian gondola for use on Thames. It was said at the time that "Sir George and Lady Higginson are frequently to be seen on it in the Marlow district, propelled by a gondolier from Vienna". 

War recruiter

Sir George was as the most well known military man in the district the obvious person to address the first public recruitment meetings for soldiers in the First World War. No doubt his stirring words helped to persuade many to join up. But everyone was singing the same tune. If Sir George had not addressed this and other meetings, others would have done so. In 1915 he expressed the feeling that many of those who had gone overseas "were far too young". Accepting the need for as many as possible to enlist did not mean he was immune from sorrow at the results. Later the retired military officer would recall the gradual "thinning out" of the Marlow youth and the haunting sight of window blind after window blind drawn down as you walked around the town. (To indicate a house in mourning.)

Sir George disliked the term "Tommy" for a British soldier as he considered it lacking in respect and dignity for those doing the donkey work of war. 

He obviously believed in the capacity of military service to straighten out those before him as a J.P. In 1915 he recognised a prolific ex offender invalidated back from the front as a spectator at the back of court, in uniform. He called the soldier forward to praise the man's smart appearance and the "new leaf" he'd turned over. Sir George went as far as to now call the soldier "a credit to his country" and to say he had every confidence he'd remain so. At the time the view that the petty criminal was born and effectively irredeemable was still expressed. 

In conclusion, if I met Sir George Higginson walking the streets of Marlow, would I have wanted to stop and shake his hand like the little Marlovians if the past? Actually I would, not least to ask if he'd like to come and dig my garden..

NB - I've deliberately kept mention of wife Lady Higginson  to a minimum in this post because she will have eventually one of her own. 

Written and researched by Kathryn Day. 

*Story of the foundation of Higginson Park here

George's interesting relative and Jewish convert Martha Higginson nee Isaacs, artist here

**More about the prickwood "thefts" to support the early Victorian skewer making industry here

To find all mentions on the blog of the Higginson family or any other use the A-Z person index in the top drop down menu. 

The general Marlow history index includes links to more detailed posts about World War One in Marlow and to other military subjects here

Sources include: 

Vanity Fair, vol 22, 1879.

Hart's Annual Army List vol 9,  Henry George Hart (1884)

Journal of the Household Brigade, Ed. I E A Dolby, (W Clowes & Sons, 1877)

Miscellanea Genealogica et Heraldica (Hamilton, Adams and Courtenay 1892) 

Country Life, 26th June 1926

Bucks Herald - July 9th 1926

Bucks Free Press - 13th Feb &  25th September 1914, 26th Feb & 6th August 1915, 30th July 1920

Slough, Windsor and Eton Observer 2nd June 1906

Bucks Standard 9th September 1899

South Bucks Standard 28th October 1892. 

Seventy one years of a  Guardsmen's life, General Sir George Higginson 1916. 

© MarlowAncestors 

Empire Day in Edwardian Marlow

 Marlow's reaction to royal landmarks such as birthdays, weddings and jubilees could range from polite indifference by the majority to all out take-over-the-streets celebrations that you couldn't ignore even if you wanted to.  So it's no surprise that Empire related celebrations had somewhat mixed receptions too. But if you were a child in Edwardian Marlow, one event was very likely to feature in your annual school experience - Empire Day.  This was especially intended to instil feelings of patriotism in the young participants but it doesn't mean involvement was restricted to the youthful. In this era, Empire day was celebrated on Queen Victoria's birthday of May 24th even though the Queen had died before the event really took off as a national celebration. Marlow's recognition of the day seemed to actually decline as the Edwardian era progressed but it was not one of the towns where the celebrations spread widely beyond the school participants and their parents - the town church service excepted.  However there were always reports of at least some people decorating the outside of their home enthusiastically, and of business people ornamenting their premises for the day. In 1908 it was already noted that only a few homes displayed a Union Jack however. The following year an extra effort was made to build the event with more bunting erected in the High Street. 

One important element was to educate the children about the countries that made up the Empire. This often involved in one way or another the young dressing up as inhabitants of other nations in tableaux- with varying degrees of accuracy! They were on familiar form here as such dressing up was a favourite of Marlow missionary pageants, Sunday school entertainments and the like. 

The day nearly always followed a similar pattern from around 1906 - a procession by all the various schools up and down the High Street to the Causeway, a salute to the flag, a few (or quite a few) words from the Vicar and of course the singing of the national anthem. Generally a small crowd would gather to watch the events at the enclosure. There were sometimes reports that the schools would get their own flag staff and Union Jack but the point was always a public display of patriotism in the most visible place. Often a special effort was made to get the pupils dressed in patriotic colours or to accessorize their outfits with flowers. It would be completely unrealistic to have asked many of the families to provide a colour appropriate costume for the day.  Poverty was a part of far too many young Marlovians lives and the idea of  the children having a choice of smart outfits to choose from would not have occured to the teachers. Instead they tended to rely on cheaper red, white and blue ribbons, hat or cap accessories or sashes made up by benefactors. The good news for those perhaps enduring a speech too many was the half day holiday was generally allowed to the children. 

On the Sunday nearest the event, there were usually special services in the churches in the town. That in the parish church of All Saints was obviously the biggest, not least because invitations to attend were made to all the major groups and bodies in the town. It's fair to say, if your organization wore a uniform you were a shoo in for participation for any civic event and this was no exception.  Groups such as the Church Lads Brigade and the volunteer Fire brigade were present and correct.  Technically this was an event open to all rather than merely the Church of England congregation but the non conformist churches in town tended to have their own parade with the Salvation Army.  This was followed by a combined service often in the spacious Congregational Church (URC Oxford Rd). The non conformist Church Lads Brigade equivalent the Boys Life Brigade headed this "other" parade with their ever popular drum and fife band and of course the Salvation Army musicians. In 1908 the Salvation Army also held a separate outdoor service. 

At Bovingdon Green 

The children of Bovingdon Green school usually gathered on the green there to do their salute to the flag. They often ended with a charming display of dancing round a temporary maypole and so attracted quite an audience beyond the villagers. However they are also recorded as participating in Marlow's Empire Day parade on the same day, so they were perhaps the most active of all the participants! 

Plans Awry

In 1910, the funeral of Edward VII meant the Empire day celebrations were officially muted and recognised in Marlow only in a minor way. A representative group of  children from the church schools  went to the Causeway to sing some appropriate songs such as the inevitable "Flag Of Britain" but the flag waving banner carrying  procession was cancelled. The Bovingdon Green pupils did not come because their schoolmistress was unwell and there wasn't enough hands to marshall them. Those at Little Marlow assembled in their school playground to hear some improving thoughts on "responsibility, duty, sympathy and self sacrifice" - the "watch words" of Empire Day they said. Unfortunately the half day school holiday was cancelled as inappropriate for a country in mourning. It had originally been intended that 1910 would see a larger scale event in Marlow than previous, with sports and a special public tea. 

Then in 1911 it was decided that Empire Day could be marked as part of a combined day of celebration related to the coronation. So for the second year in a row there was no large scale children's parade. But relevant flags were flown on the Overseas League Flagstaff on the Causeway on May 24th and some shops and other premises were "dressed up". This was not the end of event though.  It was revived in 1913, continued throughout the First World War and featured largely in the 1920s and 30s. Some Marlow children received a special medal from the Empire Medal Association as a prize for loyal essays on empire related subjects. These were provided with the financial assistance of local benefactors. I have some of the winning entries from other areas and it will be no surprise to hear that they are not the product of education aiming for a critical or balanced view of the empire for it's members. 

NB The images of Edwardian Empire Day celebrations in Marlow I have been shown have proven to actually be of other events - understandably so given the common decorations, themes and activities. Others do not in fact show the town but I have some more to check and will upload later if possible. 

Written and researched by Kathryn Day 

List of posts about general Marlow history including town celebrations such as coronations, jubilees, fetes etc here

To look for a specific ancestor see the A-Z person index in the top drop down menu. 

Sources include:

A Pattern of Hundreds - Bucks Federation of Woman's Institutes (Richard Sadler Ltd, 1975)

Memories and/or information from Elsie Coster, Betty Wethered, Gus & Dennis Winterbourne, "Vivian", Michael Eagleton and one who wishes to remain anon. 

South Bucks Standard 29th May 1908, 21st May 1909, & 27th May 1910

South Bucks Free Press 8ty may 1908, 21st May 1909, 26th May 1911

Bucks Free Press 14th Jan 1927 

The Dominions Song Book, undated..

©MarlowAncestors 

Will Summary William Hollis of Great Marlow 1651

A messy will with heavy crossings out, notes squeezed into margins and some hard to read parts. I've done my level best with it!

 William Hollis, wheelwright of Great Marlow. Will written 1650. Proved 1651.

Weak of body but of good and perfect memory, thanks to God. Commends soul to Almighty God and the Holy Ghost.

Burial to be in a Christian manner as is seen fit by the will's executor.

To son Jerome and his heirs all the free land testator has had of late by agreement with John Hammond. These are part of  the lands purchased by the testator and John Hammond from Daniel Bankys. Also to him and his heirs all testator's free lands anywhere in the realm and all his leased lands ditto.

Beloved wife Joan instead of her dowry (which seems to be linked to some of those free lands) £30 to be paid in two £15 installments. The first installment to be within six months of his decease. Then Joan should leave son Jerome house. Six months after she does so the rest of the £15 to be paid. Also to Joan three pairs of sheets, two green ..., a high joined stool and two joined stools, a kettle which is next in size to the great kettle and also a small kettle, 2 pewter dishes and the pewter that was hers before marriage, the kitchen table, the trunk in the room where he lies, all her wearing apparel whether woollen or linen and her hats, stockings and shoes, three diaper napkins, half a dozen ?course? napkins, one pewter flagon.

Daughter Margaret £10 at marriage if she marries with the consent and liking of he older brother.  Plus £5 forty days after such a marriage.

Daughter Mary £5 to be paid to her in weekly installments from the week after testator dies.

Son Thomas, son in law William Raunce and son in law William Langley  £... each.

Residue of goods after debts and expenses paid to son Jerome who is the executor.

Will witnessed by John Langley and Elizabeth Sherley. Elizabeth made her mark rather than sign.

Summarized from a transcription I made from a will held at the National Archives, Kew.

Other wills on this blog can be found by looking at the Wills option on the menu. To find every mention of a person on the blog look for them in the Person Index. Look under Ollis too as people in this period did not routinely pronounce the letter h and so Hollis would be spoken "Ollis". 

©Marlow Ancestors. You are welcome to use this transcription for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.