As an example of “nicely done” graffiti I have included this one.
This person (LJB) seemed determined to make their mark as neat as possible (check out the framing)
The Commissioner’s House
Of all the buildings within the Dockyard, Commissioner’s House is, in my opinion, one of the most fascinating. Compared to the ropery and the storehouses, where one would expect to find graffiti, the house which was the residence of the various Admirals Superintendent may be the last where you would encounter the names of those who “should know better”.
The list of those whose names appear on the rear wall of the building begins with
[35] Rear Admiral George Willes Watson in residence from 1st December 1881. He achieved the rank of Vice Admiral before he left on 12th March 1886.
The name of [36] Rear Admiral William Codrington, CBS was there from 1st May 1886 but resigned the post due to ill-health ad died 29th July 1888.
[37] Rear Admiral Edward Kelly lived in the house from 1st November 1887 from the result of aneurism of the heart, which had laid dormant and unsuspected since the severe rheumatic fever he contracted from exposure at the burning of the Bombay.
[38] Rear Admiral George Digby Morant. From January 1892 to 2nd September 1895. He was promoted Vice Admiral in June 1895 and superceded 2nd September 1895 o promotion.
[39] Rear Admiral Hilary G Andoe CB from 2nd September 1895 and was superceded 2nd September 1899 (extended one year) on completeion of term of service.
[40] Rear Admiral Swinton C Holland from 2nd September 1899 and superceded on completion of period of office.
The above information has been taken from the Chatham Dockyard Historical Society Research Paper No 12 “Commissioners in Residence, Admiral Superintendents and Port Admirals. (Transcribed from the original lists by Peter Dawson, General Editor for CDHS)
84th Regiment of Foot
The York and Lancaster Regiment
- South Wall of the Ropery
The name of S * Plant can be seen on the same brick as the obliterated regimental number “84″. The date is clearly “1834″
Three of the regiment’s battle honours have been included: - ”Nive”, “India” and “Peninsula”.
Also, the name of the regiment is confirmed as being, at that time, “York and Lancaster”.
This brick has always been high on my list of favourites … yes! I do have favourite bricks!
I was intrigued as to why the number 84 had been obliterated and I have found a possible answer.
I shall include a number of quotes from a contact I found in Rotherham who writes “The 84th received the York and Lancaster title in 1820 … can find no direct reference to Chatham in the histories”.
In 1834 the Regiment was in the West Indies having left Ireland in 1827 for Jamaica, returning in 1838.
At present there is no record of S. PLANT.
Between 1838 and 1842 the Regiment were home, spending two of those years in England.
At the time of the Cardwell Reforms in 1881 the 84th became the 2nd Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment. (Note that the name was kept).
The 65th (2nd North Riding) Regiment of Foot became the 1st Battalion at the same time.
The numbers of the predecessor Regiments were officially dropped but continued to be used unofficially for a long time.”
After this a theory began to form as to the obliteration of 84.
The York and Lancaster Regiment did pass through Chatham at later dates, especially the First World War and possibly a soldier who knew little, or nothing, of the 84th connection, took out the ‘84′ to leave just the name of his own Regiment.
As I stated earlier, this is just a theory and if anyone knows more please leave some details.
90th Light Infantry
This is a wonderful example of graffiti art.
- Exquisite scribing
90th Light Infantry
Dated 1st July 1818, during the period when servicemen were not recognised for their penmanship, I consider this example as really special.
Situated on the east wall of the Ropery
After a little searching through the internet I discovered that: -
“Chatham was the station of the 90th LI until December of 1818 when they moved on to Brighton.”
(Information supplied by Kevin Asplin)
Robert Casey of the 90th inscribed this in July 1818. Beautifully done.
I like the way a stylized laurel wreath was added as part of the regimental design. There are several more examples of this type of embellishment in the dockyard.
