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Mr. John (Harry) Henry Watkins — |
Prefix:
Mr.
First Name:
John
Middle Names:
Henry
Last Name:
Watkins
Nickname:
Harry
Father: John Watkins
Mother: Mary Ann Collins Doubell
at: Eastbourne, England
John Henry Watkins has 5 children listed here: • Eric Watkins • Gwendolyn Watkins • Nellie Irene Watkins • Norman Watkins • Roma Watkins
- Married Clara Rose Middleton at: Crockham Hill, Kent, England on 24 Jun 1899
- Married Mary Charles at: Pontypridd, Wales on Jun Q. 1920
- Married Esther Griffiths at: Birmingham, England on Mar Q. 1926
Biography(1)
SourceJohn was a director of the Sandwell Brewery of Thomas Oliver Ltd, [Throstle Ales] Walsall St. West Bromwich for many years. The brewery was founded in 1897 and the 1911 census tell us that John was a Professional Brewer and Director. This brewery like so many others after the second World War was taken over, in this case by W. Butler & Co Ltd in 1945.
The Watkins and Bushell families owned and ran the 'Black Eagle Brewery' at Westerham for many years.The business went into voluntary liquidation on the 19th of July 1961. The brewery and 97 licensed houses were taken over by Ind Coope Ltd. in 1962. At least three generations of Watkins were brewers there. With the current real ale movement the beers have been successfully revived in recent years by a micro brewery.Biography(2)
Source
It is purported that barrels of ‘Westerham ale’ were slung under the wings of Spitfires while they headed out from Biggin Hill airport during the ‘Battle of Britain.’ I find it difficult to believe that a barrel of ‘Bushell Watkins and Smith’ at 2d a firkin - whatever its potency or the height from which it was dropped - could do much damage to the enemy forces, (M.M)