Garnett, Mepham & Fisher's Directory Of Canterbury, Herne Bay & Whitstable 1917-1918

Step back in time to the closing years of the First World War with this fascinating historical directory.

For family historians and local researchers, the period between 1911 and 1921 is notoriously known as the "Census Gap." With the 1931 Census lost to fire and the 1921 Census only recently released (and still covering a later period), finding where your ancestors lived and what they did for a living during WWI can be difficult. This directory serves as an essential bridge, providing a snapshot of the residents and businesses of East Kent during a pivotal moment in history.

Format Note: This product is available as a high-quality Digital Download or on CD. The directory consists of scanned images of the original pages. While the text itself is not digitally embedded (meaning you cannot "Ctrl+F" to search instantly), the directory is alphabetically arranged by surname and trade, making navigation intuitive and simple. Please note that many modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat) offer "Run OCR" features, allowing you to search the text on the fly if required.

What’s Inside?

This comprehensive volume covers the major towns and their surrounding villages in intricate detail.

1. Canterbury The heart of the directory. This section includes a detailed Street Directory, listing heads of households house-by-house, as well as a Commercial Directory and a Private Residents Directory (alphabetical list of the gentry and prominent citizens).

2. Herne Bay A fashionable seaside resort even during the war years, this section provides a look at the hotels, boarding houses, and residents of this coastal town.

3. Whitstable Famous for its maritime industry, this section details the fishermen, oyster merchants, and shopkeepers of the town.

4. Court Directory A listing of the local gentry, clergy, and officials, often including their country residences outside the town centers.

5. Advertisements A treasure trove of period detail, featuring local tradesmen, from milliners and blacksmiths to doctors and seed merchants.

Historical Context & Local Facts

Bridging the Census Gap In 1917-1918, the Great War was raging. Many men were away fighting, meaning you will often find women listed as heads of households or running businesses (e.g., a laundress or a shopkeeper) in their husband's absence. This directory offers a unique, often poignant, view of the "Home Front."

Famous Connections

• Somerset Maugham: The famous playwright and novelist was born in the British Embassy in Paris, but his family had deep roots in Kent. The Maugham family were prominent solicitors in the Canterbury area for generations, and you may find legal firms associated with the family listed in the directory.
• Joseph Conrad: The legendary author of Heart of Darkness lived at Oswalds in Bishopsbourne (just outside Canterbury) from 1919 until his death. While he arrived just after this publication, the directory lists the local gentry and estates in the rural areas surrounding Canterbury that he would have immediately joined.
• Mary Tourtel: The creator of Rupert Bear was born in Canterbury and lived there for much of her life. As an illustrator, she or her family may appear in the local residential listings during this era.

Industry, Sport, and Leisure

• The Oyster Trade: Whitstable was world-renowned for its oysters. This directory lists the "Oyster Dredgers" and Company officials, perfect for tracing maritime ancestors.
• Cycling: Herne Bay was a hub for early cycling enthusiasts. The directory lists bicycle agents and repair shops, a sign of the town's modernity at the time.
• Music & Halls: Look out for entries for the Theatre Royal in Canterbury and various assemblies in Herne Bay, reflecting the importance of music halls and social gatherings even during wartime.
• Hop Farming: The surrounding countryside of Canterbury is the heart of the Kent hop gardens. The agricultural sections list farmers and hop factors, vital for those with agricultural laborers in the family tree.

Map Disclaimer

Please Note: Original directories often had maps removed by previous owners or were published without them for certain editions. While we cannot guarantee the presence of the original map in this specific scan, if a map is present in the book, it has of course been included as a fantastic bonus to help you navigate the old streets of your ancestors.

Reconnect with your past and discover the stories of your Kentish forebears today!