Page 9 - Sylvia Malt - Side by Side

NORTH CRAY AND FOOTS CRAY IN WORLD WAR I

The Edwardian populations of the twin villages of North Cray and Foots Cray were largely
country folk with little knowledge of life beyond their boundaries. Most men worked on the
land, either with a local farmer or as a gardener on one of the large estates owned by the
local gentry- the Vansittarts at North Cray Place, the Vesey-Holt family at Mount Mascal,
and Captain North living in Vale Mascal. Vast orchards stretched across the Cray valley
regularly supplying fruit for the London markets.

The introduction to the 1898 Street directory gave the following information for any
visitors:
“Foots Cray, adjoining Sidcup on the south east, is exactly 12 miles from London
Bridge. One might travel many miles and not find a more old-fashioned, quaintly
picturesque place than this little village. Capt. R. A. Vansittart, JP, of Foots Cray Park, is the
principal land owner. The River Cray flowing through the foot of the hamlet adds to the
beauty of the place and with its large mill and mill pond, upon which are the inevitable
ducks and geese, render completeness to the aspect. In 1821 the population of Foots Cray
was only 221, but now it is over 2,000.”

Loyalty to the God, King and Country was absolutely paramount and at the National School
next to All Saints Church in Foots Cray and the tiny North Cray School the children from
the two villages obtained most of their knowledge of the wider world from books. Boys
especially would eagerly embrace colourful accounts of invasion, espionage and deeds of
daring on the frontiers of the British Empire and the same ethos was reflected in the youth
movements such as the Boy Scouts. Girls were taught to knit, sew and cook, with prizes
awarded for the best handicraft at the Foots Cray Horticultural Show. Later this annual
event, which had been held since 1847, helped raise money for Sidcup Cottage Hospital in
Birkbeck Road.

Each village had its own church. St. James in North Cray was originally built for the
Vansittart family of Foots Cray Place and the earliest parts of All Saints Church in Foots
Cray date from 1330. Its notable and beautiful churchyard was always carefully and lovingly
tended being extended in 1896 with land from the Foots Cray estate as the village
population had risen substantially since the early 1800s. Worshipping God on Sundays was
considered an important duty and the pews of the two churches were regularly filled. It
was also an opportunity to find time to talk to neighbours, friends and extended family.
Although both rich and poor regularly attended church together, the contrast between their
lives was extremely wide.

The majority of the villagers were very poor. Limited education, low wages and large
families meant that life was a constant struggle. The majority lived in rows of terraced,
cramped cottages, but these homes only provided for their very basic needs. The cottages
were one-up/one-down dwellings, with small, single storey sculleries at the back. There
was a range in the main room which provided heating, but no electricity. They had no
inside toilet facilities but usually there was an earth closet built at the end of the small
narrow garden.

The families occupying these homes were collectively known as “the cottagers” and there
was a very close bond between them. Although poor, they had their pride, knew their place
in society and did their best to bring up their families within their limited means. Each
family was both independent and inclusive within the community. Together they celebrated
every small triumph and mourned every tragedy.

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