Above photos, date unknown. Kindly supplied by John Hopperton.

Above photo, circa 1931.

From a local paper 1948.

Oldest licensee's hostelry is always snug and ship-shape.

He towed home the "tall" ships.

ALMOST certainly Gravesend’s oldest licensee and undoubtedly one of the most colourful personalities of the local "Trade," is Mr. James Frederick William Miller, of the "Royal Standard," Terrace-street.

He is 79 years of age.

Mr. and Mrs. J. F. W. Miller.

With his fresh complexion, blue serge suit and Gladstonian collar, he is a link with the days when "tall ships" were a picturesque sight in the Thames.

Mr. Miller’s little hostelry near the River is one of the snuggest in the town. Spotlessly clean and "shipshape," it strongly reflects his close association with the waterside.

Mr. Miller was born at the old Rope-walk. He was the son of Mr. A. F. Miller, master mariner.

At the age of 13 he left school to become cook on a Sandford’s tug. When he was 18 he was master of the Mitchell Co.’s tug "Thistle."

In those days tug firms had no set contracts with shipping companies. The practice was to ascertain when ships were due in the Channel — bound for home ports — and, then to vie one with the other for the job of bringing the sailing ships up river and into dock. This was known as "seeking."

In August, 1914, Mr. Miller joined the famous Dover Patrol, operating in and around the French ports. He was granted a commission, which he held until June, 1919.

Afterwards he joined a local tug company, and was master of the old "Commonwealth" (17 years) and the "Condor" (7 1/2 years).

He retired at the age of 58, after 45 years on the water.

He has been licensee of the "Royal Standard" for nearly 22 years.

He is a keen collector of paintings of old-time sailing ships and many of these, together with several actual models, adorn the walls of his bar.

"No. I am not thinking of retiring," Mr. Miller told a "Reporter" representative this week. "Why should I? I am quite happy here and hope to remain for a long time yet."

Mr. and Mr's. Miller celebrated their golden wedding in April last. They have had seven daughters and five sons.

From an email received 21 April 2015.

In 1901, according to the census, the pub had a 'beer house keeper' landlady called Annie Matthews, a widow aged 44.

Her son, Arthur aged 17, was a bar assistant. She also had a daughter, Ada, 15 - and two further sons - George 9 and Fred 6.

Fred was registered, at birth, as Waller Fred Matthews and died in WW1 and is mentioned on the Windmill Hill Memorial.

I hope this information is of help.

Kind Regards

Karen Syret