Above colourised photo, date unknown.

Above photo, circa 1920, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard, circa 1926, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Photos taken in September, 2011 from http://www.flickr.com by Ewan Munrow.

Above photo 2013 by Malc McDonald Creative Commons Licence.

Above photo 2015.

Above photo, 2019.

Above sign left, 1987, sign right, January 1994.

Above sign left, April 1986, sign right, 2010.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

Above photo circa 1980s, where the licensee would shut up the pub on a Sunday at 2pm, bring out the flags and sing "Land of Hope and Glory."

Above photo circa 1980s.

The Scotsman, Thursday 16 June 1932.

WOOD TRADEGY.

Inquest opened on three victims. Soldier remanded.

The inquest was opened at Ashford Hospital, Kent, yesterday, on the two women and a girl whose bodies were found on Monday in King's Wood, Challock, Ashford. They were Mrs. Janie Swift, aged about 65, of "Old Sportsman's Inn," Seasalter, near Whitstable, Kent, Mrs. Janie Tremayne Stemp, age 35, of the "White Hart Inn," Wadhurst, Sussex, Mrs. Swift's daughter, and Peggy Stemp, age 13, Mrs. Stemp's daughter.

Mr. Swift and Mr. Stemp, the two husbands, sat side by side at the back of the court.

The Coroner, Mr. Rutley Mowll, addressing the jury, said:- "You are called upon to take part in three inquests relating to the same set of circumstances. Today you will have brought before you evidence of identification. On Friday of next week we shall meet again for you to receive medical evidence as to the cause of death of each of these persons. I should tell you that by the Coroner's Amendment Act, 1926, the scope of the enquiry of the Coroner's Court is limited in this particular case, because I have had a notice from the clerk to the magistrates informing me that a person has been charged before examining Justice's with a murder of these persons."

In these circumstances, the coroner added, he proposed to adjourn the inquest until after the conclusion of the criminal proceedings, except with regard to the actual cause of death, about which evidence will be given at the adjourned hearing on Friday of next week.

JURY VIEW THE BODIES.

The Coroner with the jury and a police officer then went to view the three bodies which were lying side by side in the mortuary. A minute or two after the Coroner and the jury had left the Court to view the bodies, Mr. Swift rose from his seat from the back of the Court and followed them to the mortuary. When he returned he was visibly affected and sobbed during the evidence.

The Coroner asked who would identify the three bodies and was told that a Mr. Codden would do so.

The Coroner:— Is he a relation?

Detective-Superintendent Avory:— No sir.

Are you satisfied with that?:— Yes, he is a very great friend of the families.

Mr. James Godden, an undertaker, of Durgates, Wadhurst, Sussex, was then called. He first identified Mrs. Janie Tremayne Swift. He said she lived at "Ye Olde Sportsman’s Hotel," Seasalter, near Whitstable, and was the wife of Edward Swift, licensed victualler. He last saw her alive about mid-day on Monday. She was in a motor car at Wadhurst.

The Coroner:— Who was driving the car?

Mrs. Stemp.

Was there anybody else in the car?:— Mrs. Stemp's daughter was inside the car.

Mr. Codden also identified the bodies of Mrs. Stemp and her daughter. He said that Mrs. Stemp was the wife of Thomas Stemp, the licensed victualler of the "White Hart Hotel," Wadhurst. Peggy was a schoolgirl. In each case he saw them for the last time at the same time as he had previously mentioned, on Monday.

Superintendent Robertson told the Coroner that he would prefer to attend the next hearing at the Police Court, and the jury were directed to attend there.

POLICE COURT PROCEEDINGS.

Earlier in the day James Thomas Collins (26), described as a private in the 2nd Battalion the Buffs, East Kent Regiment, stationed at Shorncliffe, made a four minutes’ appearance at Ashford Police Court, charged with the wilful murder of the two women and the girl. The wording of the charge relating to Mrs. Swift was as follows:— “That you feloniously, wilfully, and of your malice aforethought did kill and murder one Janie Swift by shooting her with a rifle at Wye on June 13, 1952.”

The wording of the other two charges was similar, with the exception of the names.

The only witness was Superintendent W. J. Robertson, of Kent County Constabulary, who stated that he saw Collins detained at Barnet Police Station on Tuesday and took him to Ashford , where he cautioned him and charged him with the murder of Mrs. Swift, Mrs. Stemp, and Peggy Stemp.

Collins was remanded until Wednesday next.

Aberdeen Press and Journal. Wednesday 29 June 1932.

Soldier committed for trial.

Charge with triple murder at Ashford.

James Thomas Collins (26), private of the Buffs, East Kent Regiment, was committed for trial at Ashford yesterday, charged with the murder of two young two women and a girl, whose bodies were found in King's Wood, Challock, near Ashford, on June 13.

Collins pleaded not guilty, and reserved his defence.

The victims, who it is alleged was shot by Collins with a rifle at Wye, were:-

Mrs. Janie Tremayne Swift (69), the "Old sportsman Inn," Seasalter, near Whitstable; her daughter, Mrs. Janie Swift (35,) "White Hart Inn," Wadhurst, Sussex, and Mrs. Stemp's 13 year old daughter Peggy.

Divisional Detective Inspector Ockey, despite objection by Mr. Levy, defending, gave details of Collin's career.

Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. Saturday 26 November 1932.

THREE MURDERS BY SOLDIER.

Verdict of "Guilty But Insane. Praise for police.

James Thomas Collins (26), a private in the 2nd Battalion the Buffs (East Kent Regiment), stationed at Shorncliffe, near Folkestone, was found "Guilty but Insane" at Kent Assizes yesterday when he was accused of the murder of Mrs, Janie Tremayne Swift (69), of the "Old Sportsman Inn," Seasalter, Whitstable, Mrs. Janie Tremayne Stemp (35), of the "White Hart Inn," Wadhurst, Sussex, her daughter, and Peggy Stemp (13), daughter of Mrs. Stemp.

The bodies of the two women and the girl was found in King's Wood, Challock, near Ashford, on June 13 last. They had been shot.
Sir Gervais Rentoul, K.C., who appeared for the prosecution, said on June 13th the women and girls were in an open sports car travelling to Mrs. Swift's home at Whitstable. They would pass on the Ashford-Faversham main road a place called King's Wood Hill, and here in a wood at the side of the road the three were discovered later in the day murdered.

He hoped to show that Collins was certainly in the near vicinity shortly before the crime was committed. He was spoken to or seen during that morning by at least 3 people. He was seen later in the afternoon in a car of the same colour and description as that which was driven by Mrs. Stemp.

Seen by lorry driver.

At 1 a.m. on June 14th, Police Constable Chapman, who was stationed at Barnet, was on duty in the neighborhood of Potter's Bar when he saw Collins standing at the corner of the road. P.C. Chapman noticed that there was something on his shoulder. His suspicions were raised, and he challenged him, asking him what he was carrying.

Collins took the object from his shoulder, undid the covering and revealed a rifle. This he immediately pointed at the constables chest, saying. "Stand there or I will shoot you dead."

The constable tried to keep him in conversation, and if possible to distract his attention. "He undoubtedly behaved with exceptional courage," said Sir Gervais.

Finally Collins backed away still threatening to shoot the Constable, who at last was able to mount his cycle and pretend to ride off. He, however, continue to follow Collins, and finally got the assistance.

Overpowered by police.

Later the same morning, added Sir Gervais, the police were able to surround a field where Collins was and to overpower him. Just before he was seized he deliberately emptied the magazine of the gun by firing several shots into the air.

Evidence of Collins's mental instability was given, and it was stated that from childhood he had been fascinated by firearms.

The jury, after a retirement of 15 minutes, returned a verdict of "Guilty but Insane," and Mr. Justice Hawke ordered Collins to be detained during His Majesty's pleasure.

The jury said that they wanted to commend Police Constable Chapman for his very plucky act.

Mr. Justice Hawke: I was going to say the same myself. It is one of the most courageous things I've ever heard.

Mr. Justice Hawke also commended the officers who assisted in the arrest of Collins. They knew by that time, he said, that he was supposed to have taken three lives, and that he had a rifle and was suspected of having cartridges. "It is very satisfactory to know that we can rely upon the police in this way," said the judge.

From http://www.pillbox-study-group.org.uk/ accessed 2024.

Kent battle between German bomber crew and British soldiers marked after 70 years.

A little-known skirmish between a downed German bomber crew and a group of British soldiers, the last ever military conflict to take place on British soil, is finally being marked 70 years after the event. Most history books have Bonny Prince Charlie's 1746 defeat at Culloden as the final battle to occur in this country. But the virtually unheard of Battle of Graveney Marsh in the Kent countryside 194 years later was actually the last action involving a foreign enemy.

The battle took place on September 27 1940 between the crew of a downed German bomber and a company of British soldiers who had been holed up in a pub. Members of the London Irish Rifles were billeted at the "Sportsman Inn" in the coastal hamlet of Seasalter when the stricken Junkers 88 plane came down on Graveney Marsh. Although the soldiers armed themselves, they fully expected the four-strong Luftwaffe crew to give themselves up without a fight. They were wrong. As they approached the plane, the Germans opened fire with a machine gun. The British servicemen hit the deck and returned fire, while a smaller group crawled along a dyke to get within 50 yards of the plane before they too started shooting.

There was a heavy exchange of fire before the Germans surrendered, with one of them being shot in the foot during the brief battle. Nobody was killed. In a dramatic twist, commanding officer Captain John Cantopher overheard one of the captured crew mention in German that the plane should "go up" at any moment. With that, he dashed back to the aircraft, located an explosive charge under one of the wings and threw it into a dyke, saving the prized aircraft for British engineers to examine. Incredibly, the British even had a pint of beer with the German airmen back at the pub before the POW's were picked up. Now for the first time the Battle of Graveney Marsh will be officially remembered by a military organisation.

Next month, the London Irish Rifles Regimental Association will mark its 70th anniversary by unveiling a commemorative plaque at the pub which is still standing today. Nigel Wilkinson, vice-chairman of the association, said: "Although it barely gets a mention in the history books Graveney Marsh was the last battle to take place on British soil involving a foreign enemy". At the time the aircraft was found to be a new marque and as it was only two weeks old it provided the Air Ministry with valuable intelligence. "Of course, the men of the London Irish Rifles spoke about the battle and for a time it went down in folklore within the regiment. "But it seems to have been forgotten about.

Photo: London Irish Regt training on Graveney Marsh in 1940 Photo: BNPS.

The soldiers were billeted at the "Sportsman, and the pub is still standing today, we thought a plaque that will serve as a permanent reminder was appropriate." In the summer of 1940, the 1st Battalion London Irish Rifles was sent to Kent and deployed on coastal defence duties following the Dunkirk evacuation. As the threat of invasion by the Germans eased, their task changed to capturing any enemy aircrew brought down in the Kent countryside.

On September 27 a Junkers 88 bomber was attacked by two Spitfires over Faversham following a raid on London. One of its engines had already been knocked out by anti-aircraft fire when the second was put out of action by the Spitfires. The pilot, Unteroffizer Fritz Ruhlandt, crash landed on Graveney Marsh, which was seen by elements of A Company who were in the pub. According to the regiment's official records, Capt. Cantopher then arrived at the hostelry to inspect the men. The record states that Sergeant Allworth explained he had sent the men to the downed aircraft. It reads: '"They took arms I hope,' Cantopher said. 'No sir...' The sergeant broke off. Sounds of machine gun fire could be heard. 'It looks as if they should have done,' commented Cantopher. 'Forget the inspection, I am going over there. Bring some of your men with rifles and ammo.'" Mr Wilkinson said: "On approaching the aircraft the men were fired on by the German crew with the aircraft's two machine guns. "The London Irishmen got into attack formation and having laid down heavy rifle fire on the aircraft mounted an assault of the Junkers across the marsh. "By now the enemy air crew had been wounded by the rifle fire and decided to surrender".

It was at this stage that Captain Cantopher came on the scene. As the prisoners were being taken away Cantopher heard one of them say that 'the aircraft would go up anytime now'.

"He ran back to the Junkers and after a nerve-wracking search located the device and disarmed it. Cantopher was awarded the George Medal for his bravery." Corporal George Willis, 90, the regiment's piper, was in the "Sportsman" when the men returned with the Germans. George, from Greenwich, south east London, said: "The men were in good spirits and came into the pub with the Germans. We gave the Germans pints of beer in exchange for a few souvenirs. "I got a set of enamel Luftwaffe wings." It is expected that 60 members of the London Irish Rifles Regimental Association will attend the event at Seasalter, near Whitstable, on Sunday, September 26th 2010.

There will be parade in front of the association's president, Major General Corran Purdon, who won the Military Cross for the famous raid on St Nazaire and was imprisoned in Colditz. There will then be a drum head service before the unveiling of the plaque.

The Battle of Britain Troops and civilians pose with Junkers Ju 88A-1 (B3+BM) of 4./ KG 54, which belly-landed on Marsh Farm, Earnley, Sussex, on the evening of 21 August 1940. It had been intercepted by No. 17 Squadron Hurricanes during an attack on RAF Brize Norton.