Hove in the Past: Cowper Street, Hove.

Judy Middleton 2002 (revised 2024)

The Name

Cowper Street was named after the poet William Cowper (1731-1800). He was unfortunate enough to suffer from depression, and twice attempted suicide. Religion was an important part of his life but there has been some debate as to whether it was the cause or cure of his depression. He was the author of two famous hymns God Moves in a Mysterious Way and Oh for a Closer Walk with God. Lord David Cecil, who attended the Wick School at Hove, wrote a biography of Cowper entitled The Stricken Deer. The title was taken from the lines ‘I was a stricken deer, that left the herd,’ which appears in Cowper’s best-known long poem The Task, a work much admired by Wordsworth and Robert Burns.

Development

Cowper Street was laid out on land once belonging to the Vallance Estate whose architect was Thomas Lainson, and it was Lainson who was responsible for drawing up most of the plans. It was in February 1881 that the first plans for 27 houses was submitted to the Hove Commissioners, but their decision was deferred until the sewers had been installed. The plan received the go-ahead in March of the same year.

The surveyor kept an eye on building operations, and in September 1881 reported back that the Bailey brothers had contravened bye-law 32 by providing rooms of insufficient height in six houses, while Walter Moran had committed the same offence in two other houses.

The beady eye of the surveyor also picked up that Henry Pinker, builder, had contravened bye-law 50 by constructing walls (north, south, and party walls) that were not solidly put together with mortar. Pinker had been guilty of the same offence in Conway Street – both matters being reported in January 1882.

The Sanitary Inspector was kept busy ensuring that privies had a proper water supply. Between the years 1889 and 1894 the privies in some eleven houses were found not to be functioning properly.

The building work continued at a brisk rate, and the Directory for 1891 was able to record 90 occupied houses.

It is interesting to note that the Commissioners turned down plans presented to them by Lainson & Son on behalf of Vallance & Catt, brewers, for a public house on the north side of the street.

In October 1885 Cowper Street, from the west side of Sackville Road for a distance of 734-ft was declared a public highway. It was not until August 1897 that Cowper Street, from the east side of Rutland Road to the Aldrington boundary, was declared a public highway.

It seems probable that the different builders involved in the construction of houses during a number of years led to erratic numbering. At any rate, the whole street was re-numbered in 1894.

House Notes

Number 27 – In 1921 H. Bennett, upholsterer, lived in this house.

Number 31 – In 1904 Ross William Beatty, 1^st Class Petty Officer, was appointed bathing and boating superintendent at Hove for the summer season.

Number 37

In 1905 Charles A. Eldridge, plumber, occupied the house. But by 1921 the premises had changed to a draper’s shop run by M. and A. Bryant.

Number 38 – In 1936 this house was purchased for £685 by the Methodist Church in Portland Road, in order that the site could be used for a church hall. But the plans fell through, and the property was converted from a shop to a residence; it was let for 27/- a week.

Number 39 – There was a long-standing greengrocery business at this address. In the 1905 Directory the man in charge was given as Walter William Smith, and he was still there in 1921. However, it seems likely that the shop went further back in time because in 1891 there was a W. Smith, greengrocer at number 71, but this was before the road was re-numbered.

Number 41 – In 1905 G. Lyne of this address was an ironmonger and leather seller. He was still there in 1921, but he had upgraded the definition ‘leather seller’ to ‘leather merchant’ – it certainly sounds more up-market.

This cabinet photograph features three women posing with their bicycles in front of 43 and 45 Cowper Street. Children in the background are seen outside ‘G Lyne’, the leather seller and ironmonger, on the corner of St Patrick's Road.
Ernest Chaston a ‘J R Cycle Agent’ was based at 40 Cowper Street which was located opposite O Lyne's. At 42 Cowper Street was Mr E Austin's Photographic Studio. c1905.

Number 76 – In 1914 the occupier was given seven days’ notice to stop keeping fowls in his yard.

Number 87 / 89 – In 1921 A Marsh, cycle maker, lived here.

Number 119 – In January 1897 it was reported that proceedings had been taken against Henry Lucas for conveying ‘Hogwash through the town in an uncovered receptacle.’ He was fined ten shillings with eight shillings to cover costs.

Cowper Street and The First World War

copyright © J.Middleton
Number 26 – W. C. Washer was killed in action in 1917 and G. F. V. Washer killed in action in 1918; their parents lived here.

Number 26 – William Charles Washer was the son of William and Elizabeth Washer at this address. His wife Edith Washer’s address was given as 47 Old Shoreham Road, Southern Cross, Portslade, with the added information that she re-married. Lance-Corporal Washer served at first with the Middlesex Regiment, and then with 306 Company, Machine Gun Corps. He was aged 31 when he was killed in action on 20 September 1917. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

Nearly a year later Charles and Elizabeth suffered the loss of a second son, George F. V. Washer. George was a Lance Corporal in the 7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, 12th Division. He was killed in action on the 3 July 1918, aged 20. George was laid to rest at the Harponville Communal Cemetery in France.

Number 30 – Reginald Charles Coppin was the son of Edwin and Elizabeth Coppin at this address. Reginald was a Pioneer with the Royal Engineers who sadly died after the War had ended in Namur, Belgium, on 21 January 1919, aged 20. He was buried in the Belgrade Cemetery in Namur.

Number 48 – Harold Arthur Golds was the son of Allen and Mary Golds of this address. Golds was a member of the Sussex Yeomanry before being transferred to the 10^th Battalion, Royal West Surrey Regiment. He was killed in action on 27 June 1917 at the age of 24. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres.

Number 50 – Lieutenant Ernest James Garner was born at Hove in 1893, and educated at Portland Road and Connaught Road Schools. In civilian life he earned his living as a motor mechanic and lived in this house. On 9 September 1914 he enlisted in the Royal Naval Air Service as a 1^st grade air mechanic. At some stage during the war, he was rescued from the North Sea and taken to Holland where he ended up in a prisoner-of-war camp; on 2 September 1917 he was released, and resumed his war work. He was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Air Force Cross for consistent good patrol work and bombing work from 1 April 1918 to 30 October 1918. He survived the war.

copyright © J.Middleton
Number 55 – Joseph Banks and his wife Louise lived in this house; he was killed in action in 1916

Number 55 – Joseph Banks was born at Hove and was the son of John and Sarah Banks; he lived with his wife Louise in this house. Although he was of mature years, he enlisted at Brighton and served with the 13^th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, 39^th Division. At the age of 37 he was killed in action on 30 June 1916 at Rue de Bois; he was buried in the St Vaast Post Military Cemetery.

Number 58 – Albert George Hambrook, the husband of Elizabeth Esther Hambrook of 58 Cowper Street, served as a Private with the1st Battalion, East Kent Regiment. He was killed in action during the German offensive on 21st March 1918, aged 34. Albert was born in Hove the son of Mrs Mary Jane Juden who at the time of George’s death was living at 24 Russell Street in Brighton. George’s name is listed on the Arras Memorial, the Brighton War Memorial and also in Brighton’s St. Peter’s Church Memorial Book.

Number 68 – Ernest and Frances Ellen Barnes lived at this address. Their son Horace Barnes, a Private in the 9^th Battalion of the Australian Infantry, died on 29 May 1918 aged 29. He was buried in the Borre British Cemetery in France.

Number 84 – Wakeford Kingsborough certainly had a memorable name. He and his wife lived in this house; unfortunately, her Christian name is not given in official records – she is just Mrs L. E. Kingsborough and after her name is recorded (re-married). Kingsborough was born in Brighton and enlisted in London; he served with the Royal Army Service Corps, attached to the 8^th Light Armoured Cavalry Battery of Machine Guns. He was aged 31 when he died in Mesopotamia on 22 June 1918; the cause of death is not given, and so it is likely he was felled by disease. He was buried in the Baghdad (North Gate) Cemetery, Iraq.

Number 88 – Private Archibald Holland had an interesting background; in his notes in Hove’s Roll of Honour at Hove Library, the following statement is to be found: He was found in the country by Mrs Holland’s son and was being ill-used; they brought him home with them and Mrs Wood brought him up. Nothing was known about his birth or parents. It seems in his official record that he was born in Nottingham. Mrs H. Wood cared for the unfortunate youngster in this house, and it is to be hoped that he enjoyed his time at Hove. On leaving school Holland worked as a shop assistant but then enlisted at Hove and served in 12^th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, 39^th Division. He was killed in action 10 October 1916, and was buried in Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps.

Number 92 – William John Minall lived at this address before he was called up to the Machine Gun Infantry. Before the outbreak of the First World War, William was employed by Mr Weller of Coleridge Road as a glove cleaner. William was killed in action on 18 August 1916 aged 24. It is not known why William John Minall was not listed on Hove’s War Memorial in Hove Library.

William’s brother Edward George Minall of Ingram Crescent, Hove, was employed as a golf caddy on the nearby West Hove Golf Course. He was killed in action on 27 March 1918 aged 21. Edward George Minall’s name is listed on Hove’s War Memorial.

Number 96

Saddler R. Pook

R. Pook of Number 96 served as a saddler in the Army Remount Department, which was responsible for the purchase, training and care of horses and mules. The 'Remounts' were part of the Army Service Corps and its soldiers performed a service vital to the war effort.

Number 116 – Harold Ernest Matthews was born in Addleston, Surrey, and in civilian life he worked as a milk carrier for Frowd & Walker’s Dairies at 38 Western Road, Hove. He was a married man, but no Christian name was given for his wife in the records – just Mrs L. E. Matthews; They lived in this house. Matthews enlisted in May 1917, and served as a gunner in the Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He died on 30 October 1917 at the age of 37, just four months after joining up. A stark note in his records the following – Dug Out was blown in. He died in Poperinghe Hospital. He was buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.

Number 120 – Herbert Edward Stillwell was the son of Edmund Henry and Anne Amelia Stillwell, having been born at Brighton but he enlisted in Hove. Stillwell served as a Shooing Smith Corporal in the Royal Field Artillery/ 216^th Brigade. He was aged 34 when he died on 2 October 1918. He is commemorated on Kirkea 1914-1918 Memorial, Poona, India.

Number 124 – Frederick Cowstick was born and educated at Hove, and was the son of Samuel and Elisabeth Cowstick of this address. He served as a lance-corporal with 8^th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. He was only aged 20 when he died of his war wounds on 23 September 1917. He was buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Westvleteren.

Cowper Street and The Second World War

Number 109 – Warrant Officer (Battery Sergeant Major) F. Frost MC lived in this house. As a boy he had attended the Connaught Road Schools, and when he left he helped his father in his grocery business in Goldstone Street. He served in the Territorials for seven years, and had been on active service since the Second World War broke out. In October 1943, at the age of 27, he was awarded the Military Cross. Frost had three brothers, and two of them were serving with him in the Eighth Army. A sister was serving in the NAAFI.

Miscellaneous

In November 1991 fireman rescued a man who had collapsed in his kitchen whilst trying to tackle a chip pan fire. The firemen also rescued the man’s dog and two pet snakes, including a 6-ft python called Monty.

In December 1992 it was reported that John White, aged 32, had invented a new board game called Skull and Crossbones that had gone on sale at £17-99; the game included a video.

Hove Planning Approvals

1881 – Thomas Lainson, on behalf of six men, plan to build 27 houses

1881 – Thomas Lainson for Mr Cooke, six houses, north side

1881 – Lainson & Son for Mr Marston, eight houses, north side

1881 – Lainson & Son for Mr Wilkes, four houses, north side

1881 – Lainson & Son for W. Blandford, two houses, north side

1881 – Lainson & Son for W. Blandford, two houses, south side

1881 – Lainson & Son for Mr Whiteman, eight houses, south side

1881 – Lainson & Son for Mr Morandi, two houses

1881 – Lainson & Son for Mr Wilkes, two houses

1881 – Lainson & Son for H. Laker, four houses

1881 – Lainson & Son for Mr Marston, one shop and house

1881 - Lainson & Son for W. Blandford, three houses, south side

1881 – Lainson & Son, one house

1914 – F. R. Ockenden, one house, number 130

Sources

Argus

Encyclopaedia of Hove and Portslade

Hove Council Minute Books

Middleton, J. Hove and Portslade in the Great War (2014)

Royal Pavilion & Museums, Brighton & Hove

Street Directories

On-line Hove’s Roll of Honour

07 July 2024

Cowper Street, Hove.