Royal George 1910 - 1914

Folkestone Express 10-9-1910

Local News

News has just reached Folkestone of the sad death of Fred Tritton, a native of the town, and son of the late Mr. F. Tritton, who some years ago was the landlord of the Royal George Hotel, Seagate Street. Young Tritton, who was with the Royal Irish Regiment, Kailana Camp, Chakrata, India, was cruelly murdered by one of his comrades on August 7^th. It appears that the previous night the two had had a few words, and when the ammunition was served out the following morning, Tritton`s comrade loaded his rifle and deliberately shot him dead on the spot. The unfortunate young fellow, whose father has only been dead a few weeks, was well known in the town and respected by a large circle of friends. The greatest sympathy is felt with the members of his family, and especially so by reason of such a dastardly act being responsible for his death.

Folkestone Daily News 17-7-1912

Monday, July 15^th: Before Messrs. Swoffer and Boyd.

Michael O`Brien, a powerful, rough-looking man, pleaded Not guilty to breaking a plate glass window, value 50s., at the Royal George on Saturday night.

William Milton, a fisherman, residing at 32, Peter Street, said on Saturday about 6.30 he was near the Royal George, when he saw prisoner approach carrying a hand barrow. The prisoner deliberately thrust the hand barrow through the window of the Royal George, and then (apparently addressing the landlord) said “That`s what I`ll do for you, you ----“. Mr. Kirby, the landlord, came out and said “Who did that?” and witness pointed out the prisoner. A policeman came up and took prisoner into custody. Prisoner was not right down drunk, and he was not sober.

Mr. G. Kirby, the landlord of the Royal George Hotel, said about 6.30 on Saturday evening he was in the public bar, and hearing a smash he went outside, and the last witness said “That chap did that”. Witness had ejected the prisoner from the bar a few minutes previously for misconduct.

P.C. Stevens deposed to arresting the prisoner. Witness said to him “Why did you break the window?”, and prisoner said something about being ejected. Prisoner was not sober, but not very drunk.

Prisoner did not ask any questions, but said he did not blame the landlord for not serving him. Mr. Kirby handled him like a sack of sawdust. He retaliated, but did not remember breaking the window. If he did, he was very sorry.

Prisoner was sentenced to one month`s hard labour without the option.

 

Folkestone Express 20-7-1912

Monday, July 15^th: Before G.I. Swoffer and G. Boyd.

Michael O`Brien was charged with wilfully damaging a window to the extent of 50s. on Saturday.

William Milton, of 32, Peter Street, a fisherman, said on Saturday at 6.30 he was near the Royal George Hotel, and saw the prisoner carrying a handbarrow. When near the hotel, witness heard a blow and a smash of glass, and saw prisoner coming away. He said to someone “That`s what I`ll do for you”. He did not know who he was addressing. No-one else was near. The landlord came out and asked who broke the window, and he pointed prisoner out to Mr. Kirby. A policeman came up and prisoner was given into custody. Prisoner was not sober.

Mr. George Kirby, the landlord of the George Hotel, said he was in the public bar at 6.30 on Saturday evening and heard a crash. He did not realise for the moment that the window was broken. When he did so he went outside and saw the prisoner and Milton, and the latter said prisoner did it. He had previously ejected prisoner from the house. The barrow was lying in the bar. Prisoner said “That`s what I`ll do to you”. The value of the window was 50s.

P.C. Stevens, who took the prisoner into custody, asked why he broke the window, and he said something about having been ejected from the house. With assistance he took the prisoner into custody. He had been drinking, but was not drunk.

Prisoner said he did not at all blame the landlord for not serving him, but in putting him out he “handled” him like he would handle a sack of sawdust, and threw him out, regardless of consequences. He was sorry he broke the window, and had no intention of doing it.

The Clerk: The landlord says he ejected you because you were disorderly.

Prisoner: Yes, I know he did. I suppose it upset me a little.

The Bench sentenced prisoner to a month`s hard labour, remarking that they were determined to protect licensed victuallers in carrying on their business in a proper manner.

Folkestone Herald 20-7-1912

Monday, July 15^th: Before Mr. G.I. Swoffer and Mr. G. Boyd.

Michael O`Brien was charged with wilfully smashing a plate glass window, value 50s. Prisoner pleaded Not Guilty.

William Milton, a fisherman, of 32, Peter Street, deposed that on Saturday evening he was in Beach Street, near the Royal George, when he saw the prisoner come from the Fishmarket, carrying a hand barrow. Witness heard a smash of glass, and turning round saw the barrow through the window, and prisoner coming away from the window. He said “That`s what I`ll do to you, you ----“. Defendant was not sober.

Geo. Kirby, landlord of the Royal George Hotel, said he was in the public bar when he heard a crash. For a moment or so he did not take much notice, but he afterwards went in another bar and saw the window smashed. He went outside and saw prisoner standing in the road. He had been ejected from the other bar previously. The barrow was through the window in the bar. Witness asked prisoner what he had done it for, and he replied something to the effect that he had done it because he was turned out.

P.C. Stevens deposed to arresting prisoner, who, he said, was the worse for drink.

Accused said he went into the house to have a drink. He had had a little to drink before. However, instead of asking him to go out properly, the landlord had handled him like a sack of sawdust, and had thrown him out on to the pavement, totally disregarding the danger to his limbs. Naturally he (prisoner) retaliated.

The Chairman said there had been several of these cases lately. Some people seemed to think that they could go into licensed premises and do just as they liked. The owners of licences had to be very particular, and the Bench felt they must put a stop to it. Prisoner would be sent to gaol for one month with hard labour.

Folkestone Express 12-9-1914

Tuesday, September 8^th: Before J. Stainer, R.J. Linton, G.I. Swoffer, W.J. Harrison, G. Boyd, A. Stace, E.T. Morrison, and C.E. Momford Esqs.

The licence of the Royal George Hotel, in Beach Street, was temporarily transferred from Mr. G. Kirby to Mr. G.H. Balson (sic), of Deal.

Folkestone Herald 12-9-1914

Local News

At the Petty Sessions on Tuesday, on the application of Mr. George Kirby, the licensee of the Royal George, Beach Street, a protection order was granted to Mr.George Henry Dalton, pending the transfer of the licence.