Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Ben Elijah Laws

1859 –31/03/1943

A boatbuilder who served in the army, hired out bathing tents,finally returning to boatbuilding

• Melanie Hilton

Plot 992 Benjamin (Ben) Elijah Laws (1859-1943)

Benjamin (usually just called Ben in the records) was born 9 May 1859 at St Leonards on Sea the son of John Innocent Dyball Laws, a coach-smith, and his second wife Sarah (née Shilling, late Glover). He was the eight of their nine children and the youngest of four boys.

Ben had a somewhat erratic education at the local parochial school, being absent most summers to work. He finally ceased formal education at Christmas 1871, aged 12.

The family lived at 1, Fountain Place, St Leonards. but his father died when he was 15 and his mother the following year. By 1881 he was employed as a boat builder and lodging with a family in the town.

On 5 January 1882 Ben enlisted as a gunner in the Royal Artillery at St Leonards on Sea. His papers give us a description: 5’ 6 ¼” tall, with dark brown hair, dark grey eyes and a dark complexion. He had a tattoo of the Union flag on his right forearm.

Ben was shipped out to India in November that year where his medical records show a varied selection of injuries and ailments – Haemorrhoids, contusions, ague and a note that the climate did not suit him!

He was considered “temperate” in his habits and of good character and despite the climate he served in India for seven years.

Ben married Elizabeth Buckland Simpson St Mary’s church, Hastings 25 July, 1891. The couple were to have no children.

Ben was transferred to the Army Reserve in November 1889 and finally discharged in January 1894.

In 1901 Ben and Elizabeth were living with her father, a “hospital collector and church verger”, at 62, Kenilworth Gardens, St Leonards. Ben was employed as a “Corporation yard foreman” and they could afford to employ a live-in domestic general servant.

In 1909 he and Elizabeth began hiring bathing tents for holiday makers to change in before swimming. They were located on the foreshore at Eversfield Place, a two minute walk from Hastings Pier.

In 1911 Ben and Elizabeth were living alone at 62, Kenilworth Gardens, St Leonards. He had returned to boat building and was self-employed.

By 1921 Ben had retired and the couple had moved to 35, West Hill Road, Hastings where

Elizabeth died in 1938. In 1939 Ben was living alone in West Hill, Hastings and was described in the Register as “Boat builder, retired.”

He moved to 24, Greenway, Berkhamsted, the home of his nephew William (Bill) John Lawes & his wife (Claudia) Mildred. He died there 31 March 1943.