If you listen to Ken Turner’s memories of houseboats, he mentions not only his parent’s craft “Smugglers”, but also those of his uncles. “Sans Souci” was owned by Fred and Win Archer and moored at the western end of the creek, near to Win’s sister( Ken Turner’s mother). They were both ex-army landing craft, which with their twin Rolls Royce Merlin engines removed, proved a sound basis for living on the water. You can tell from the interior photos that it was well furnished. It helped that Fred was a builder, responsible among other developments for the bungalows on the eastern side of Mill Hill. They spent 5 years living on the boat before succumbing to life ashore and the boat was then sold to Ted Heaney, but that’s another story!
Rita Archer’s (daughter) memories of Ted are available in a sound recording on this site, which includes some references to his pre-Benfleet days.
A further recording, which also involves her cousin Ken Turner, covers houseboats and their owners, the golf course at Bowers Gifford, walking on the sea wall, Cemetery Corner, dances at Tarpots Hall and the army camp and fetching the water.
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My grandfather stated on his “last” marriage certificate that he was living at “Sans Souci”, Totmans Lane, South Benfleet” This would be 1936 – his name was John Cornelius Oliver – does anyone have any information regarding him – wife number 4 (or maybe 5) was Gertrude De Koningh. Any help appreciated! Thanks! Alison
Alison, hopefully someone may have some information to help you but I think that the name of the lane is more likely to be Jotmans Lane, as to my knowledge there is not nor ever has been a lane called Totmans. Good luck.
Eileen (Editor)
Thank you Eileen! Also, I would like to clarify that this was my great-grandfather…time zone error! The writing was hard to decipher on the marriage certificate. Thanks Again, Alison
My brother’s grandfather lived on a houseboat called Phyllis in 1933. His name was Charles Arthur Hasker, has anyone got any record of this?
My grandparents lived on a houseboat called the ‘Louisa’ before WWII. Apparently it was an old life boat that my grandfather converted. He also used to run a radio shop near the Tarpots. If any one has any memory of this I would greatly appreciate being contacted.
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