Bryan Moyler wrote to us with lots of interesting bits of trivia and some interesting photos of William Garrow’s former home. These pictures date from the 1950s and show better than any others we on the website to date the kind of splendour Garrow enjoyed in his cliff-top position (obviously you have to see past the caravans – but the sheer number does somewhat emphasise the size of the plot and in such a prime situation).
‘I lived at Pegwell lodge from 1951 to 1966. The house was derelict after the army left in 1945 (?). Mr father (Albert Moyler) took on a 7-year lease from Ramsgate B.C. at £500 per annum in 1951 (the photo – taken in 1952 – shows the shop on the left, bar in the centre, ballroom extreme right). He started the caravans in 1951….. holidays were very simple all those years ago.
The Littlewood-Clarke family occupied the house before the war. As far as I am aware the “living room” in the photos taken at the unveiling of the Blue Plaque, was constructed much later than S. William Garrow’s time. I was always told it was the Billiard room, by Mr Littlewood-Clarkes chauffeur, who lived in the cottage.
There was one very small attic bedroom, so perhaps staff never permanently lived in the house. The wall around the property was raised to stop trippers in horse breaks peering into the gardens.
There were tunnels from the old (now filled in) cellars at the S.W. corner of the house, which join the ones from the rear of Pegwell Cottage and go down to the seashore. No doubt very dangerous now.
One fact I recall (from the old chauffeur, before the war), the house had 17 servants, they used to clean all the chairs scattered about the grounds, every day for the Little-wood Clarkes’ use. Coal was purchased in 40-ton loads, to get the best price. The extensive cellars (now I believe filled in) were a rabbit warren, and great games were had there when we were children. The house had a bank of batteries (accumulators) I think re-charged in Grange road. A man came from London annually to service them.’
Brian Moyler
Some sources containing additional information:
‘Pegwell Lodge: Is now the property and marine residence of T. N. Harris, ESq., and is most pleasantly situated, being close to Pegwell, on the main road from Ramsgate. The house and grounds are most tastefully arranged. and have a most extensive sea view. This building was for many years the property and residence of the late Baron Garrow, who built this house as a summer resort from the mental fatigue and bodily exertion consequent upon his high judicial station.’
BEARS NEW GUIDE (abt) 1868
‘Returning from Pegwell, on the road towards Ramsgate, we arrive at the residence of Sir William Garrow, one of the Barons of the Exchequer, who built this house as a summer retreat from the bodily fatigue and mental exertion consequent upon his high judicial station: here the worthy Baronet, during his short sojourn, recruits his health and strength, and then, invigorated by the solubriouS air of Pegwell, returns to execute the important duties of that Bench, which he has so long adorned. From the successful career of this learned judge, who, though of respectable parentage, commenced life with little more than his mental stores, the young barrister may learn a useful lesson, and be encouraged by his bright example, to acquire that mine of legal knowledge, which will, in time, obtain a just reward, and raise him to lhe highest houors which that learned profession can confer.’
KIDDS PICTURESQUE COMPANION TO MARGATE 1831 BY G.W. BONNER.
My Grandparents Frederick Ives and Louisa Ives lived in Pegwell Lodge Cottage from the mid 1920’s. He was the chauffeur to the Littlewood – Clarkes and she was their cook.
When the 2nd World War started the house was closed down and the contents mothballed. Both my grandparents were the caretakers. The son Ronald Littlewood-Clarke went into the forces. During the war there was a gun emplacement on the lawn overlooking the sea. At the end of the war RLC put the contents of the house up for auction.
As a school boy living in Northolt, Middx. I would spend my summer holidays at the cottage, having great times exploring the tunnels down to the beach, swimming every day and roaming round the grounds. The cottage had no electricity or bathroom but had two outside toilets ! The family living opposite the cottage were called the Todd’s who were “Wall of death riders “ at Dreamland in Margate.