Page 7 - Sylvia Malt - Side by Side v1

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
Foots 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 1849, 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. Most 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.