David told the story of the tragic events that took place in Bosenden Woods at Dunkirk, near Canterbury in 1838.
Reputedly the last battle to take place on Kentish if not English soil. The leader of the revolution was a Cornishman John Thom (Tom), alias Sir William Courtenay who had shown worrying traits of madness in his native Cornwall. His charismatic charm brought him many followers from the labouring classes: amongst them was David’s 3 x Great Uncle Henry Hadlow.
David set the theme with the run up to the battle. The poverty that was the lot of our early 19th century Agricultural ancestors and how the Messianic Courtenay's charm and rhetoric encouraged many of the labouring classes to follow him. Sadly their 'lot' was not improved as they had hoped and some were killed whilst others were transported for their involvement in the battle.
Next Meeting
Friday 9th November 2018
The Ancestor I would most or least liked to have met Talks by Branch Members