UNITED SERVICES Pub of Chatham

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Chatham, December, 2024.

Page Updated:- Sunday, 01 December, 2024.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1869-

(Name from)

United Services (Long Bar)

Latest 1936

188 High Street

Chatham

Above photo, date unknown Kindly sent by Philip MacDougall author of 'Lost Chatham' published in 2024.

https://philipmacdougall.tilda.ws/

Above photo, date unknown. Kindly sent by Philip MacDougall author of 'Lost Chatham' published in 2024.

https://philipmacdougall.tilda.ws/

Above photo, date unknown.

Above sign, November 1981.

Thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

I do have reference to an earlier "United Services" to this.

The pub changed name from the "Crown and Thistle" between 1880 and 1890. Although the Licensing Records of 1872 does mention a Richard Knott being licensee in the "United Services" in that year, unfortunately an address was not given, so that could be another pub with the same name.

Further research has shown it mentioned in 1869-70 when the pub was part of a consortium who were advertising their goods of selling tea in response to grocers' selling beer and wine. (Click for further details.)

This pub was also known locally as the Long Bar, presumably due to the length of its serving area inside.

Above showing a Post Card Souvenir.

Long Bar landlady, Mrs. Tompkins 1889.

Above photo showing the Supper Room 1889.

Above photo 1899, showing Professor Mansford Tatooing in the Long Bar.

Above postcard, circa 1909, showing just above the horse and cart, the sign advertising the Long Bar.

Above photo circa 1909 showing the actual bar length.

Above photo showing the inside of the pub circa 1909.

The Licensing Records of 1872 stated the premises held a Full License and was owned by the Trustees of Watts Charity, Rochester.

Up to 1874 and including the number was listed as 108.

From an email received 5 April 2017.

Info on Laura Knott.

Her first husband was a Knott. She then married (in 1900) Percy Ansell who later became mayor of Chatham (1935). Laura is buried in Chatham cemetery Maidstone Road. They were also involved with the "Army and Navy" at the Brook.

Laura's daughter in law from was Margaret Knott (nee Thomas) who ran the "Army and Navy" and that pub also is listed as being in the hands of Percy Ansell in 1930s.

Margaret Knott's brother Richard Thomas was married to May Florence Jarvis who was the sister of Minnie Ester Bathurst (nee Jarvis) who ran the "Lord Nelson" in Ordnance Street with her husband Alfred. I am the great granddaughter of Richard Thomas.

Regards,

Katie Ford.

The pub closed in 1936 and the license was transferred to the "Red Lion." It later became H. Samuels the jewellers, although I have heard someone say Woolworths. Perhaps both.

LICENSEE LIST

TAYLOR J T 1869-70+

KNOTT Richard 1872-74+

WHIFFEN David 1881-82+ (age 43 in 1881)

TOMPKINS Mrs 1889+

ANSELL Laura Mrs 1903-22+

ANSELL Percy 1930+

https://pubwiki.co.uk/UnitedService.shtml

From the Kelly's Directory 1903

Licensing Records 1872

Census

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

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