From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 16 Sept, 1904. Price 1d.

An hour's extension of the "Station Inn," Martin, on Saturday, was granted, on the occasion of a harvest supper.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 20 March, 1925. Price 1½d.

EXTENSION

The licensee of the "Station Hotel," Martin Mill, was granted an extension for a sheep sale on March 31st.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 5 March, 1926. Price 1½d.

A FALSE ALARM

The licence of the "Station Hotel," Martin Mill, was granted an extension, on the occasion of a sheep sale on March 16th.

Lord Fitzwalter (to Superintendent Lane): It is a fact, I suppose, that the outbreak of foot and mouth disease is not confirmed?

Supt. Lane: That is so my Lord.

Dover Express, Friday 13 November 1931.

TRAGEDY AT MARTIN MILL. WOMAN'S SUICIDE ON RAILWAY LINE.

An inquest was held by the East Kent Coroner, Mr. Rutley Mowll, at the "Station Hotel," Martin Mill, on Tuesday afternoon, on the body of Florence Alice Andrew, aged 29 years, of Clapham Common, who was found on the railway line at Martin Mill on Sunday morning with her head severed from the body.

The jury was Messrs. T. E. Wheeler-Carver, J. Platt, T. J. Monks, Thomas Rogers, C. W. Otley, H. R. Laming, A. E. Craig, E. J. Finnis and Frederick T. Rogers.

Hubert George Ebden, of "Dunedin," Gilford Road, Deal, garage proprietor, identified the deceased as his niece, who lived at 131, Mallinson Road, Clapham Common, S.W.11. She was single, and up to six weeks ago had been a demonstrator in duplicating machines. Her age was 29 years, and her father was dead. He had been an antique dealer. Deceased lived with her mother. Witness last saw her alive on October 2lst, in London, when he went to the motor show. She was then home from business, suffering from a nervous break down. He had never heard that she had any suicidal tendencies, he did not know what brought her down, and he did not know that she was coming. The last time she was down was about three weeks after Easter, on a Sunday excursion, with her mother.

Mrs. Andrew, the mother, said that she last saw her daughter about 9 o’clock on Saturday morning. She seemed better then, but did not say anything about going away. She had been home ill since September 24th with a nervous breakdown, and had been attended by Dr. Morton, of 40, Lavender Gardens.

Had she had a nervous breakdown before?

Yes; seven years ago.

Was there any question of attempting her life then?

Yes.

She threw herself in the sea?

Yes; but she said she could not do it because I came before her.

Whereabouts was that?

At Brighton.

Was she rescued?

No; she came out herself and came home.

Did she appear to get a little like that?

No; I did not notice anything. It came quite suddenly to me.

She did not say that she was tired of life?

No; she said she would never be like that again.

She had nothing to worry about?

No.

Happy at her work and happy with you?

Yes.

Did not something happen before she disappeared?

Yes. When I came back from the works doctor she said, “I wish I hated you, I would go and do it, but I love you so, I cannot."

When was that?

On Friday.

What did you think of that remark?

She wished she could not live because she could not learn.

Of course, that was delusional. She was a very intelligent girl, was she not?

Yes.

Ronald Best, of 34, Council House Street, Dover, an engine driver for the Southern Railway, said that on Sunday, about 7.40 a.m., he was driving a train on the down line towards Deal. It used to be called the up line, but had now been reversed. He had just started from Martin Mill Station when he saw the body lying in the 4ft. way on the up line. He stopped the train and sent his fireman back to inform the Station staff.

Thomas Smissen, of 2, Station Cottages, Martin Mill, a signalman, said that on being informed he went to the spot. The head was severed from the body.

P.C. Usher, K.C.C., stationed at Ringwould, said that about 3.30 a.m on Sunday, in consequence of a telephone message from the last witness, he arrived at the Station and saw the body as described. The feet were tight up against the rails, the body on its stomach in the permanent way, and the arms folded tightly under the body. The head was about 2 ft. away, and the handbag about 3ft. from the head. He found that the deceased had evidently climbed the fence, scrambled up the steep bank, and sat on the top. It was about 50yds. from the Station towards Walmer. The handbag contained 12s. 1 1/4d in money, a Southern Railway time-table pamphlet, a mirror, three keys, a pencil and a visiting card, bearing the deceased's name and address.

Sergt. Brazier, of the Southern Railway Police, said that inquiries had been made, and they had been unable to find the train that ran over the deceased. The last train on Saturday night had been examined, and no trace of blood or other marks could be found on the engine.

Dr. A. E. P. Kingsley, locum temens for Dr. Molesworth, said that death was due to the severing of the head. There were no other marks or injury.

The Coroner said that there was not very much doubt about this case. The body lay right across the path of the train, so that the head would be cut off; the handbag contained one card giving her address; seven years ago she attempted to take her life, and there was also the remarkable statement on the Friday to her mother that she would go and do it but for the fact that she loved her so much, which showed that she was evidently struggling against the temptation, and it overcame her.

The jury returned a verdict of suicide whilst of unsound mind.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 29 September 1939.

The "Station Hotel," Martin Mill, was granted an occasional license for stock sales at Martin Lodge Farm, on 3rd October.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 11 August, 1944.

HOTEL MANAGER FINED

Charles Guest, of the Station Hotel, Martin Mill, was charged with being in unlawful possession of rope and wire netting, the property of the War Department, total value £5 13s. on July 19th.

Mr. P. A. G. Aldington (Dover) defended, and pleaded not guilty.

P.C. Gumb, of Whitfield, said that on July 19th, in consequence of information received, he went to the Station Hotel and saw a quantity of rope and wire netting in the back garden. Some of it was being used to pen in the poultry.

Asked to account for his having possession of it, defendant said it was left at the station and the corporal in charge said it was no good at all and was going to be burnt. The soldiers dragged it over. He had nothing to hide or he would not have put it there. That was about six months previous. The corporal helped to bring it over. He was given clearly to understand that it was to be burnt. He would not have had it there had he known it was of any value.

Cross-examined, witness said he understood a certain amount of rubbish had been burnt at the station.

C.S.M. Green, Special Investigation Branch, S.E. Army, said the netting was identical with Government property. No civilian had any right to possess it. The rope netting, when new, would be valued at £4 16s., but it was well worn, but the wire netting was in good condition, and its value was 17s.

Guest, on oath, said that when the constable called and said he had news for him he thought it was about his fighter pilot son. The policeman said it was about the netting, and he (defendant) replied, "Oh, that rubbish." He was upset. It had been in his garden fully 16 months. Soldiers dragged it there and said they were giving it to his children to play with. He spoke to a bombardier about it, and he said, "It's no good, guvnor, we are burning it." It was left in a lump for months, and the children played with it all last summer. When the children had some chicken given them some of the netting was used to make a place for them. He did not ask for the stuff, and gave nothing for it. He did not want the muck, and had no use for it.

Mr. Aldington said that the stuff laid in his yard for months open to the public gaze. No notice was taken until it was used for some other purpose.

The Chairman, announcing a fine of £1, said a man of defendant's experience should have enough sense to shun Government stores as he would the devil. He aught to know that unless properly sold he was guilty of receiving.

SON PLEADS GUILTY

Peter John Guest, 20, son of the last defendant, was then charged that between July 1st and 19th, at St. Margaret's, he stole spile fencing, valued £2 1s. the property of the government.

Inspector Wimsey outlined the case, and said that defendant told P.C. Gumb that he thought it would be no greater offence for him to take the fencing home than to dump or destroy it.

Mr. Aldington (defending) said it was one of those cases where Government property was left lying about for all and sundry to take.

Fined £1.