Pavilion Hotel 1930s

Folkestone Express 14-6-1930

Inquest

A frequent visitor to Folkestone, Mr. Patrick Stewart Leckie, a brother-in-law of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, died under somewhat tragic circumstances during the Whitsun holiday while staying in the town.

Mr. Leckie, who was 52 years of age, was a tea and rubber merchant in London, being associated with his father, and many times throughout the year he stayed at the Royal Pavilion Hotel. He came to Folkestone on Friday and went to the Hotel as usual. During the evening when going down the stairs leading from the main entrance hall to the billiard room he fell to the bottom of the stairs, and when assistance reached him he was unconscious. Dr. T.J. Howell was immediately called, and he ordered Mr. Leckie`s removal to the Eaton Court nursing home. An operation was subsequently performed, but Mr. Leckie passed away on Sunday morning.

The inquest was held at the Town hall on Tuesday morning by Mr. G.W. Haines (the Borough Coroner), when evidence was given by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who stated that for the past two years deceased had suffered from Bright`s disease, which caused him to have attacks of giddiness, and also he had had blood pressure.

Mr. E.J. Chadwick, the Coroner`s Officer, said on Sunday the deceased was identified in his presence by Mr. Patrick Leckie Forbes, of 63, South Way, London, S.W. 1, as that of his uncle, aged 52, of Monkstown, Crowborough, Sussex, a tea and rubber merchant.

Mr. Percival Frank Flood, a waiter at the Royal Pavilion Hotel, said he knew the deceased as a visitor. He arrived on Friday. At about a quarter to ten in the evening he was proceeding along the basement towards his dressing room when he heard a few bumps down the stairs leading to the gentlemen`s cloakroom. On turning round he saw the deceased lying on the mat on the stairs. He was unconscious. He would say the deceased had fallen from about halfway up. He went upstairs for assistance, and the manager and others returned with him. Together they carried deceased to the billiard room. He remained with him until Dr. Howell arrived, and deceased was subsequently removed that night in a motor ambulance to the Eaton Court Nursing Home. There was just a small pool of blood on the mat where deceased had fallen. He had only seen deceased once that evening, at ten minutes to seven in the dining room.

Miss Blanche Evelyn Stratford, a hotel bar attendant at the hotel, said she knew the deceased as a visitor. On Friday evening she saw the deceased at about 6.30, and spoke to him. He seemed quite all right and in good health. The bar was close to the top of the stairs leading down to the billiard room. She thought it must have been at about nine o`clock when she saw him again, and they had a few words of conversation. He seemed quite normal. Later on, some three quarters of an hour afterwards, she heard someone walking down the stairs, and then there was a terrific thud. She ran out to see what it was. She would say the person had got halfway down before he fell. She then saw the deceased lying at the bottom of the stairs. She went back to the hall immediately to report. There was no other person present on the staircase so far as she could see.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, of Windlesham, Crowborough, said the deceased was his brother-in-law. He had suffered from Bright`s disease for at least a couple of years, and he thought his blood pressure was rather high. He had many times complained of giddiness, and he had known him to seize hold of furniture when attacked by the giddiness, although he had never seen him fall. Folkestone was his favourite weekend place when he did not go down to see his father. He was a bachelor, and was very temperate indeed. During the last 25 years he had never known him to exceed in any way.

Dr. Thomas John Howell, practising in Folkestone, said on Friday last at about half past ten, he was called to the Hotel. On arrival he found deceased lying in the billiard room on a couch. He was unconscious and breathing stertorously. There was something bleeding from the back of the head. He advised Mr. Leckie`s removal to a nursing home. He could not then say whether deceased was suffering from concussion or a fractured base. Deceased was removed to Eaton Court and witness examined his head, and could not find the least signs of a fracture, and put s stitch in the wound. His heart was normal and the pulse was good. The next morning, at about eleven o`clock, he discovered that there was a fracture of the skull on the top of the brain, towards the front of the head. He called in Dr. Molesworth, and they decided to operate immediately, and found a fracture. Decompression was performed, and a clot of blood removed from the upper surface of the brain. Deceased did not regain consciousness as they thought he would, and they then came to the conclusion that there were other injuries involving the base of the brain. Deceased died on Sunday morning at one o`clock. The effects of Bright`s disease did at times cause giddiness. Death was due to a fractured skull.

Mr. Flood, in reply to the Coroner, said there was nothing on the stairs upon which the deceased could have caught his heel, and there was nothing on his heel to cause him to slip.

The Coroner said it was clear that Mr. Leckie had suffered from Bright`s disease, and that at times he became very dizzy. Functioning as a jury, he found that the deceased had died from fractured skull caused by falling down a staircase.

Folkestone Herald 14-6-1930

Inquest

Whilst staying at the Royal Pavilion Hotel for the Whitsun Holidays, Mr. Patrick Stewart Leckie, of Monkstown, Crowborough, Sussex, a member of the firm of James B. Leckie and Company, Norfolk House, Lawrence Poultry Hill, London E.C., tea and rubber merchant, fell down a flight of stairs, and died later in a nursing home from a fractured skull. Mr. Leckie, who was 52, was a frequent visitor to Folkestone, a town which he loved very much. He was the brother of Lady Conan Doyle.

The Borough Coroner (Mr. G.W. Haines) held an inquest at the Town Hall on Tuesday afternoon, when Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was called as a witness. A verdict that deceased died from a fractured skull received as a result of falling down stairs at a Folkestone hotel was returned.

Edward John Chadwick, the Coroner`s Officer, said on Saturday the body was identified in his presence by Mr. Patrick Leckie-Forbes, of 63, South Way, London S.W. 11, as that of his uncle.

Percival Frank Flood, a waiter at the Royal Pavilion Hotel, said the deceased came to stay at the hotel on Friday. The same evening at 9.45 p.m. witness was in the basement when he heard a few bumps down the stairs leading to the gentlemen`s cloak room. On turning round he saw Mr. Leckie lying on the mat at the bottom of the stairs. He was unconscious and witness summoned assistance. From the number of bumps he judged that deceased had fallen about halfway down the stairs. With assistance Mr. Leckie was carried into the billiard room on the same floor. Dr. Howell arrived, and by his instructions he was removed in an ambulance to the Eaton Court Nursing Home. There was a small pool of blood on the mat. He had seen the deceased once before that evening, at 6.50, when he was in the dining room.

Blanche Evelyn Stratford, a hotel bar attendant at the Royal Pavilion Hotel, said she knew the deceased as a visitor. On Friday evening she saw Mr. Leckie at 6.30, and at that time he seemed quite all right. The bar was close to the top of the stairs leading down to the cloakroom and billiard room. She saw deceased again about 9 o`clock, when they passed a few words in conversation. There was nothing abnormal about him. A little later she heard someone pass and proceed down the stairs and then she heard a terrific fall. She believed deceased had got about halfway down the stairs. She rushed out and looked over the stairs. She saw Mr. Leckie lying at the bottom of the stairs. She immediately went to the hall and reported the matter.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Windelsham, Crowborough, said deceased was his brother-in-law, and he had suffered from Bright`s Disease for at least two years. As a result his blood pressure was rather high, and many times he had complained of giddiness. He had seen him suddenly have to catch hold of something to prevent himself from falling. When he did not go to see his father at Crowborough he always came down to Folkestone for weekends. He was a man of very temperate habits.

Dr. T.T. Howell said on Friday last about 10.30 p.m. he was called to the Royal Pavilion Hotel. On arrival, he found deceased lying on a couch. He was unconscious and there was some bleeding from the back of the head. He advised deceased`s removal to a nursing home. There was a slight wound at the back of the head. The next day about 11 a.m. deceased had a fit, which indicated that there was some fracture on top of the brain. He then called in Dr. Molesworth, who operated in teh afternoon. There was a fracture of the skull. A clot of blood on the upper surface of the brain was moved, but deceased did not recover consciousness, this indicating that there were other injuries affecting the base of the brain. Deceased died on Sunday morning at 1 o`clock. Dizzy attacks were very common when a person was suffering from Bright`s Disease. The cause of death was a fracture of the skull.

The Coroner, on returning his verdict, said nobody was present, but there was little doubt that deceased fell down the stairs and having regard to the fact that he was suffering from Bright`s Disease he was of the opinion that he became giddy and that was why he fell.

Folkestone Express 24-2-1934

Wednesday, February 21^st: Before Dr. W.W. Nuttall, Mrs. E. Gore, and Mr. W. Smith.

High Vernon Nelson, a well-dressed elderly man, was charged with obtaining credit by alleged false pretences from the Fredericks Hotel Company.

The Magistrates` Clerk (Mr. C. Rootes) said the police would offer evidence of arrest only that morning, and then ask for a remand to complete the case. One essential witness had left the employment of the Company, and was now in residence in Warwickshire. The warrant was issued in March, 1932.

Det. Con. Pearce said at 12.35 p.m. on the previous day he saw the prisoner detained at Marlborough Street Police Station. He informed him he was a police officer from Folkestone and held a warrant for his arrest. He produced and read the warrant to him and cautioned him. He replied “I plead Guilty to that. I admit it”. He was brought to Folkestone, and at 3.15 p.m. was formally charged by Acting-Sergt. Bowley in his presence and again cautioned. He replied “I plead Guilty to it”.

A gentleman in the Court informed the Magistrates that he was instructed by relatives of the defendant to engage a solicitor to defend him.

The Chairman, at this stage, said the prisoner would be remanded until Tuesday next, and bail would be allowed, himself in a surety of £50 and one surety of £50, and that would have to be satisfactory to the police.

Folkestone Herald 24-2-1934

Local News

Hugh Vernon Nelson, a well dressed man, was remanded on bail at Folkestone Police Court on Wednesday, when he was charged with obtaining credit from the Frederick Hotels Ltd. by false pretences. The charge was dated March 12^th, 1932.

The Clerk (Mr. C. Rootes) said he understood the police would offer evidence of arrest only that morning, and then ask for a remand because one of the essential witnesses, who at the time was working at the hotel, was now in Warwickshire.

Detective Constable Pearce said at 12.35 p.m. the previous day he saw the prisoner detained at Marlborough Street Police Station. He informed him that he was a police officer from Folkestone and held a warrant for his arrest. He read the warrant over to Nelson, who after being cautioned said “I plead Guilty to that. I admit it”. He was brought to Folkestone, and when formally charged he replied “I plead Guilty to it”.

Chief Inspector H.G. Pittock then asked for a remand.

It was stated that arrangements were being made for Nelson to be defended.

The Magistrates remanded accused until next Tuesday, bail being offered in one surety of £50, and prisoner himself in a similar sum.

Folkestone Express 3-3-1934

Tuesday, February 27^th: Before Mr. W.R. Boughton, Dr. W.W. Nuttall, Alderman T.S. Franks and Mrs. E. Gore.

Hugh Vernon Nelson was brought up on remand charged with obtaining £3 13s. 2d. credit by alleged false pretences from the Royal Pavilion Hotel, in March, 1932. Mr. H.B. Bonniface defended.

Mrs. K. Vougan, of 130, Bills Lane, Shipley, Birmingham, said she was employed as receptionist and clerk in 1932 at the Royal Pavilion Hotel. In February of that year the defendant, accompanied by a woman and child, stayed at the hotel for about three weeks. He made payments in cash for two weeks. On March 12^th he called for his bill, which she gave him. He said he came down in a hurry, and asked her if she would take the cheque (produced) for £25 12s. 2d. When there was a question of her taking the cheque he said something to the effect that he was not running away, and he also said they would be coming back for Easter, when they would require similar accommodation. The cheque came back marked “No Account”. The account was never paid during the time she was at the hotel. The man was staying at the hotel as “C.A. Moreton”.

Mr. F.C. Bright, manager at the Royal Pavilion Hotel, said he remembered the defendant staying at the hotel. He paid the cheque into the bank, and it was subsequently returned. The defendant was not seen again at the hotel after Monday morning, March 14^th. The date of the cheque was March 12^th. He incurred a debt of £1 1s. 7d. for himself because the lady and child left on the 12^th. Had he (witness) been aware that the cheque would not have been met the defendant would not have been allowed to stay in the hotel after the 12^th.

Mr. F.A. Jeffreys, manager of Barclay`s Bank, Radlett, Herts., said the cheque signed “C.A. Moreton” was on March 16^th, 1932, received at the branch of the bank, and it was returned marked “No Account”. The cheque came from a book issued to Mrs. J. Nelson, whose account was closed in January, 1930, it being moribund.

Det. Con. Pearce repeated the evidence he gave concerning him taking the prisoner into custody when he was detained at Marlborough Police Court.

The amount specified in the charge was then altered to £1 1s. 7d., and the defendant pleaded Guilty.

Mr. Bonniface, on behalf of the defendant, said he had the defendant`s wife present. The circumstances in connection with that case were unfortunate. The defendant formed a liaison with another woman and was staying at the hotel with her and her child. Is instructions were that he would have paid the hotel, only the money ran short, and the cheque was issued actually to the lady with whom he was staying. Since that time he had been able to make good to a considerable extent, and until Christmas he was regularly employed. During that time he had been the sole support of his widowed mother and consumptive brother and had contributed to his wife and child`s support, and also contributed to the support of the child of the other woman. He asked the Magistrates to take the lenient course of binding the defendant over as it was the first offence. Fortunately the defendant and his wife had been reconciled, and he could go back to her. His invalid mother had passed away recently, and the brother had got employment.

Mrs. L. Nelson said her mother told her that her husband was concerned with another woman. He had always treated her with kindness, and when he was away he provided for her and her child and for her mother. He had also had to provide for his mother and brother, who was an invalid.

Mr. Bonniface: If the Magistrates were to adopt a certain course would you live with him again?

Mrs. Nelson: If it would help him. I feel that I should give him a chance of making a fresh start.

When were you separated? – We were never really separated. He was always travelling, but he continued to support me, coming hom occasionally.

The Chairman said they were going to treat defendant leniently. He would be bound over for twelve months to be of good behaviour, but he would have to pay the costs, £4 15s. 9d.

Folkestone Herald 3-3-1934

Local News

“As a result of this case the parties (a husband and wife) have been reconciled”, said Mr. B.H. Bonniface at the Folkestone Police Court on Tuesday, when he defended Hugh Vernon Nelson, a well-dressed man, who appeared on remand, charged with obtaining by false pretences £3 13s. 2d. by incurring a certain liability at the Royal Pavilion Hotel, Folkestone, on March 12^th, 1932.

Nelson appeared before the Magistrates on Tuesday of last week, and was remanded after evidence of arrest had been given.

After hearing Mr. Bonniface and accused`s wife, the Magistrates on Tuesday bound Nelson over for 12 months on condition that he paid the costs, amounting to £4 15s. 9d.

The first witness was Mrs. Kathleen Vangar, Bull`s Lane, Shirley, who said that in 1932 she was employed at the Royal Pavilion Hotel as a receptionist and cashier. She recognised the defendant, who came to stay at the hotel in February, 1932, with a lady and a child. He stayed about three weeks, and he made payments in cash at the end of two weeks. On March 12^th he called for his bill to date, and she took a cheque for £25 12s. 2d. in payment. On that day defendant said they were not running away. He made that remark when there was a question of taking the cheque. He also said that they would be coming back at Easter, when they would require the same accommodation. The cheque, which was signed “Morton”, eventually came back, and whilst she was at the hotel the cheque was never met.

Frank Cecil Bright, manager of the Royal Pavilion Hotel, said the cheque was returned marked “No Account”. Defendant left the hotel on March 14^th without giving notice of his intention to leave, and there was a further amount of £1 1s. 7d then due.

The amount mentioned in the charge was at this stage amended to £1 1s. 7d.

Fred. H. Jeffries, Manager of Barclay`s Bank, Radlett, Herts., said the cheque was presented to his bank on March 16^th. They had no account in the name of “A.C. Morton” then or at any other time. The cheque had been taken from a book which was issued to Mrs. Joan Nelson. That account was closed in January, 1930, as the funds were exhausted.

Det. Con. Pearce gave evidence of taking defendant into custody at Marlborough Street police station.

Defendant pleaded Guilty, and elected to be tried summarily.

Mr. Bonniface said at the time of the offence Nelson formed a liaison with another woman, and he stayed at the hotel with her. He came to the hotel with a certain sum of money, and then when the money ran short he gave this cheque, which had been issued to the lady he was staying with at the hotel. Afterwards he made good a considerable part of the money. Until Christmas he was regularly employed, and during that time he had been the sole support of his widowed mother, a consumptive brother, and he had also contributed to the support of his wife and child. At the same time he was supporting this other woman and her child. As a result of that case the parties had been reconciled, and he would go back and live with his wife. His mother had passed away recently, whilst his brother had just got work. Under all the circumstances he asked the Magistrates to give Nelson another chance by binding him over.

Mrs. Eva Nelson, defendant`s wife, said her husband had always treated her very well. He had always provided for her and their child, and her mother. He had also provided for his own mother and brother, who was an invalid. She was prepared to live with her husband again if that would help him to make a fresh start.

The Chairman (Mr. W.R. Boughton) said they were treating him very leniently by binding him over for 12 months. He would have to pay the costs, which amounted to £4 15s. 9d.

Folkestone Express 4-4-1936

Local News

When an application was made for the extension of the licence of the Royal Pavilion Hotel on the occasion of a Folke­stone shops’ staff dance, Alderman Hol­lands drew attention to the fact that he had seen posters advertising the dance, stating that there would he an extension of the licence, although it had not been granted.

Mr. Bright said he had nothing to do with the issuing of the posters, and the promoters should certainly have seen him first. He had, however, omitted to have applied for that extension earlier.

The extension was granted, and Eng. Rear Admiral L.J. Stephens, the Chair­man, in announcing the magistrates’ de­cision, said it ought to be generally known that when such a thing as that was advertised it rather stultified any action that ought to be taken. The magis­trates might even disagree with the appli­cation.

The Clerk (Mr. C. Rootes) said the magistrates wished it to be generally appreciated that bills announcing such events should not be posted until appli­cations had been made.

Folkestone Express 16-9-1939

Local News

Because he was hungry, George Frederick Humbles, of no fixed abode, smashed a plate glass window of the grill room at the Royal Pavilion Hotel. At Folkestone Police Court on Monday, he was sentenced to one month`s hard labour.

Alec Gunn, a night porter at the Royal Pavilion Hotel, said at about 8.15 that morning he was on duty at the main entrance of the hotel when Humbles came over to the door and asked if he could give him something to eat. He told the defendant that he had no authority to give him anything as it was against the rules of the hotel, and advised him to go away. Humbles asked to see the manager, and said perhaps he would like some of his windows broken. Witness told him not to be silly, and advised him to leave. He watched Humbles leave and cycle towards Auto Pilots` garage.

Sidney Reeves, a carpenter employed at the Royal Pavilion Hotel, said he was on duty at about 8.20 a.m. when he found that a grill room plate glass window measuring 6ft. by 18ins. had been broken. The defendant was standing outside with a cycle. Witness informed the manager and sent for the police, remaining with the defendant until an officer arrived.

Mr. Percy Thomas Ladd, assistant manager at the Royal Pavilion Hotel, said the grill room window was smashed, and the approximate cost of replacement would be 30/-.

P.C. Morgan said at 8.40 a.m. that day he went to the Royal Pavilion Hotel, where he saw the prisoner standing outside the grill room. In reply to questions, Humbles said “Yes, I did it”, and when cautioned replied “I have been trying to get into the Army, and I am hungry”. When he was charged at the police station he made no reply. Witness said he found a piece of York stone amongst the gragments of glass in the grill room.

Chief Inspector W. Hollands said Humbles had been tramping the country for some time. He was sentenced to 14 days` and 14 days` consecutive in 1937 for wilful damage and refusing to work in a casual ward, and in 1938 he received three weeks’ hard labour for wilful damage at a public institution.

Humbles told the magistrates that he had had no food since four o’clock on Saturday, when he had 8ozs. of bread and a piece of cheese at the institution.

The Chairman (Mr. L.G.A. Collins): What was the point of smashing the window?

Mumbles: If I cannot get food I had better go into jail and get food there.

The Clerk (Mr. C. Rootes): He could have applied to the police for assistance.         

Humbles said he went to the police, and they told him to see the Relieving Officer. He was then given a ticket for a bed because the casual ward was closed.

The Chairman: You will go to prison for one month with hard labour.

Folkestone Herald 16-9-1939

Local News

That he was hungry was the explanation given by George Frederick Humbles, of no fixed abode, at the Folkestone Police Court on Monday, when he was charged with wilfully damaging a window at the Royal Pavilion Hotel that day. Humbles, who was sentenced to a month`s hard labour, said if he could not get food outside, he could get it inside gaol.

Alec Gunn, night porter at the Royal Pavilion Hotel, said he was on duty at 8.15 that morning. He was at the main entrance when the accused asked him for some food. He told Humbles he had no authority to give him anything as it was against the rules, and advised him to go away.

Humbles asked to see the manager and witness told him that was not possible. Humbles said perhaps the manager would like some of his windows broken. Witness told him not to be so silly and to go away. He walked as far as the en­trance with Humbles who went off with his bicycle down to the left.

Sidney Reeves, a carpenter at the Royal Pavilion Hotel, said he was work­ing there that morning at about 8.20. As a result of something reported to him he went outside the grill room, which was on the ground floor and facing the Harbour Garage. There he found a plate glass window, about six feet by eighteen inches, was broken. The accused was standing near­by and had his bicycle with him. Witness informed the manager and later communicated with the police. He went to the place outside the grill room again and Humbles was still there and remained until the police came.

Percy Thomas Ladd, Assistant Man­ager at the Hotel, said he saw the broken window at about 9 o’clock that morning. The approximate cost of putting in a new glass would be about 30s.

P.C. Morgan said he was on duty in Beach Street when he was informed of the occurrence. He went to the hotel and saw Humbles standing on the foot­way in Lower Sandgate Road opposite the grill room of the hotel. He questioned the accused respecting the incident and Humbles replied “Yes, I did it”. He took accused to the Police Station where he was charged. He later exam­ined the broken window and found a piece of stone inside the grill room among fragments of plate glass.

Humbles told the Magistrates he had had no food since 4 o'clock the previous day and was hungry.

Chief Inspector Hollands said the ac­cused had been tramping the country for some time. He had admitted two previous convictions. In February, 1937, for wilful damage and refusing to work in a casual ward he had been sent to prison for 14 days and 14 days to run concurrently. In September last year for wilful damage to a public assistance institution he had been given three weeks’ hard labour.

The Chairman of the Bench (Mr. L.G.A. Collins): What did you think you were going to do by smashing this win­dow ?

Humbles: If I can't get food, I can go in gaol and get food. The casualty wards were closed.

You could have applied to the Police? - I did and they told me to go to the Relieving Officer.

Humbles was sentenced to one month's hard labour as stated.

Folkestone Express 16-12-1939

Local News

On Tuesday at the Folkestone Police Court the licensed victuallers were granted an hour extension at night on the Friday and Saturday before Christmas Day. The magistrates on the Bench were Councillor R.G. Wood, Mr. L.G.A. Collins, Mr. A.E. Pepper, Alder­man W. Hollands, Eng.Rear-Admiral L.J. Stephens, Alderman J.W. Stainer and Miss G. Broome-Giles.

Extensions were granted for the Christmas festivities as follows: The Royal Pavilion Hotel, Saturday before Christmas, from 10 p.m. to 11.45 p.m.; Boxing Day, for a dinner and dance, from 10 p.m. to 1.30 a.m.; on December 31st, for a dinner, concert and dance, from 10 p.m. to 1.30 p.m., dancing not to take place before midnight.