RED LION Pub of Dunkirk

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Sunday, 01 October, 2023.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1838-

Red Lion

Open 2020+

Old London Road

Dunkirk

01227 750224

https://whatpub.com/red-lion

Above print, 1838.

Red Lion drawing dated 1838. The caption to this contemporary drawing reads, 'This pub is near the site of a revolt led by Sir William Courtney in 1838. Bodies of some of those killed were taken to the inn.'

Above map 1896 showing the pub named the "Lion."

Above photo 2013 by Chris Whippet, Creative Commons Licence.

Above sign July 1986.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

Above photo 2016, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

The Red Lion at Dunkirk near Faversham was involved in the affray known as the Battle of Bossenden Wood in May 1838. The self-styled Sir William Percy Honeywood Courtenay, a lunatic with tremendous charm and a gift for rabble-rousing, led his followers into the woods around Dunkirk and Hernehill, having proclaimed himself to be the Messiah. His promises to relieve the rich of their worldly goods gained him much support among the illiterate farm workers of the area, who terrorised those who did not share Courtenay's views. Authority finally stepped in, following the murder of the Boughton Constable's unarmed brother by Courtenay, and a convoy of troops was sent into the woods in hot pursuit.

In the resulting battle Courtenay and several of his followers were killed, and their bodies were laid out on the stable floor of the "Red Lion." Several other people were chained up and held at the "Gate Inn" opposite (now a cafe 1987) before their removal to Canterbury Jail.

The "Red Lion" now has its own Courtenay Lounge, and Courtenay Farm is a short distance away.

Kentish Gazette, 18 June 1844.

DEATH.

June 13, at the Ville of Dunkirk, after a long and severe illness, Charlotte, wife of Mr. Hilder, "Red Lion Inn," aged 55.

From the Kentish Gazette, 15 April 1845.

During the past week two men have been stationed at the "Red Lion," Boughton-hill, for the purpose of making a return of the traffic on that road to the shareholders of the intended North Kent Railway, in consequence of which they are on the qui vive (they live) night and day.

Kentish Gazette, 8 June 1847.

VALUABLE FREEHOLD ESTATE, VILLE OF DUNKIRK, KENT.

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, By Mr. WM. SHARP, AT the "Saracen’s Head Inn," in the City of CANTERBURY, on THURSDAY, the 1st day of JULY, 1847, at 12 o’clock at noon precisely, unless previously disposed of by Private Contract:

A substantial brick built MESSUAGE or TENEMENT called the the "Red Lion" public house, with the stable, lodges, outbuildings yards,
gardens, and several pieces of excellent PASTURE LAND thereto belonging, containing together six acres, more or less, situate on the turnpike road leading from Canterbury to Faversham, in the ville of DUNKIRK, in the county of Kent, and now let to Messrs. Shepherd and Hilton, as yearly tenants.

For further particulars, apply to the Auctioneer, or to Messrs. Plummer and Son, Solicitors, Canterbury.

South Eastern Gazette, 25 October 1853.

EAST KENT QUARTER SESSIONS.

Charles Watking, 27, and William Lawton Thompson, 35, a lawyer's clerk, were charged with having, in the Ville of Dunkirk, on the 13th August, fourteen counterfeit half crowns in their possession, with the intent to utter them.

Louisa Pay kept the "Woodman's Arms," at Dunkirk. (sic) On Friday, the 12th August, at about eight o'clock in the evening, the prisoner Watking came and asked for a bottle of ginger beer and two-pennyworth of brandy, for which he tendered a counterfeit half-crown. She put it into her mouth and bit it, upon which he said ha had got a sixpence, of which he was not at first aware, among his coppers, when she said if he hadn't she would not have taken the half-crown, as it was a bad one.

Henry Jennings, butcher, of Boughton-under-Blean, deposed to the same prisoner coming to him in the evening of the same day, and giving a half-crown in payment for some beef-steak, which he put with other silver. On the following Monday he found a counterfeit half-crown.

Harriet Theobalds, who kept the "Red Lion Inn," at Dunkirk, deposed that the same evening Watking came and asked for lodging for himself and partner; and the two slept in her house, having previously given her about a pound of beef-steak, which they requested her to cook for their breakfast.

William Bourne, police-constable, followed them on Saturday morning from Boughton to Canterbury, where they joined company, he detained Thompson when they reached the Terrace, on suspicion of having counterfeit coin in his possession, and being in company with Watking, who had attempted to pass some. In reply to his inquiries, Thompson said he slept at Canterbury. On searching him, he found on him fourteen counterfeit half-crowns; and Watking afterwards said, as they had no good money, they were compelled to make use of bad.

Police-constable Norley corroborated what was stated by the last witness, as to following the two from Boughton to Canterbury, and that he arrested Watkin, finding on him one counterfeit half-crown.

John Sherwood, silversmith, of Faversham, spoke to all the coin being bad.

Thompson said that he should prefer pleading guilty, and with his partner, requested to withdraw the plea already made, at once pleaded guilty.

Thompson hoped the Court would take into consideration that they had already been in prison ten weeks.

Nine months hard labour.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, Saturday 2 March 1907.

DEATH.

JARVIS. On the 9th Feb., at "Red Lion," Dunkirk, Faversham, Cora Gwendoline Edna (little Gwen), child of Albert and Fanny Jarvis, aged four years and two months.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Katie Davis, 19 December 2019.

Gun shop to open in former toilet block at the Red Lion in Dunkirk near Faversham.

Guns will be sold from a former toilet block next to a pub near Faversham despite fears it could create “civil disorder”.

Opponents to the controversial proposal gave both barrels to Swale councillors at a meeting this week, but the committee called the shots and approved the conversion of the outbuilding into a shop.

Permission has been granted to change an outbuilding at the pub into a shop selling guns and ammunition.

The block - next to the Red Lion in Dunkirk - is now set to be home to a store selling sporting goods, including firearms and ammunition.

The application was filed by Kent Gunsmiths Limited owner Neil May, who lives in the pub. He wants to move his business from Cleve Hill Farm in Graveney to the village, but the plans triggered objections from worried neighbours.

Fears of “civil disorder” and the potential for an “easy escape” via the A2 should the site be raided were among concerns raised by Dunkirk Parish Council.

A representation from neighbour Ray Leader added: “We strongly believe that both the area and the building itself is not suitable for this usage due to the remote location and security of the building.

“The introduction of this gun shop greatly concerns residents for their safety.”

The shop will be in the former toilet block to the left of the pub.

Dunkirk Parish Council did not object to the change of use to retail, but did oppose the sale of guns and ammunition.

A statement from the authority following a discussion between councillors said: “Concerns were raised on the proximity of weapons to licensed premises, which could lead to civil disorder.

“There is access to the A2 arterial roadway, only a few metres away, and the ease of escape (if raided) must be considered.”

In his application, however, Mr May defended moving his shop onto the pub’s grounds.

He said: “This application would be more viable for my business to survive.

“My partner (owner’s daughter) and I currently live at the premises (not in the building purposed) and change of use would enable better security and keep the business in the family with The Red Lion benefitting from the additional income.

“I feel the site proposed would make good use of a disused unfunctional building in danger of falling into a state of disrepair.

“The location currently has a high presence of agricultural and farming businesses local that would potentially benefit from the additional customers my businesses would bring to the area as they have similar interests.”

Swale Borough Council’s planning committee was told the approval needed was concerning only a change of use to retail, with any safety issues a matter for police.

Planning officer Graham Thomas said: “The applicant has applied for a change of use from old pub toilet, if you like, to selling goods. They could be shoes, or cabbages or shotguns.

“If you have a shop that sells cabbages or shoes, you could sell guns tomorrow without planning permission. You would need to go to the police and get a licensing arrangement.”

The plans were brought before the committee at the request of Cllr Tim Valentine, who shared concerns about security.

“When reading the application (it says) that they would require security for the police licensing, but I don’t see anything that tells us what those security measures would be,” he said.

In response, Mr Thomas said: “I don’t really think that is something we need to be involved in.”

The committee voted by 14 to three for approval.

The shop will open from 9am until 5.30pm weekdays, and 9am until 3pm on Saturdays, staying shut on Sundays and bank holidays.

An appropriate licence from Kent Police would be required to sell guns or ammunition.

KentOnline made unsuccessful attempts to contact Mr May for a comment.

LICENSEE LIST

HILDER Mr 1844+

THEOBALDS Thomas 1851-61+ (age 37 in 1851)