Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Herbert John Cannon

17/01/1881 –26/02/1944

Second generation of Cannon family to work at Berkhamsted brewery

Relatives

Samuel Cannon — father

William Charles Cannon — brother

Rosa Cannon — sister

• Christopher Dolton

HERBERT JOHN CANNON; 1881 – 1944

Herbert was the youngest of six children born to Samuel and Sarah Cannon. Herbert’s father had been born in Gilston, in the east of Hertfordshire, but the Cannon family had moved to Berkhamsted sometime between 1851 and 1861 when Herbert’s grandfather became the lodgekeeper on the Ashlyn’s estate. Herbert’s mother’s family came from Berkhamsted.

Herbert was born himself born in Berkhamsted on 17^th January 1881 and he was baptised at St Peter’s church on 10^th April that year. His name appears on the 1871 census return when Herbert was only two months old. The family were living in Victoria Road and his father Samuel was working as a brewer in Locke & Smith’s Brewery in Water Lane.

As a child Herbert attended the National School in the town. At the time Herbert attended the school it was situated on the corner of Park View Road where the old workhouse had been sited. As a young child, Herbert seems not to have enjoyed the strongest of constitutions. The school log for April 1887 notes that when Herbert’s fellow pupils in the infant class were transferred to the Girls’ and Boys’ schools, Herbert and a number of other children were held back a year. Herbert was kept back “…through delicate health…” unlike some others who were held back for being “…very dull and backward.”

In February 1896, having barely turned 15 years of age, Herbert became an apprentice clerk for The North Western Railway company. He was still living in the family home, now in Chapel Street.

Herbert did not remain with the railway for long. A number of members of the Cannon family worked for Locke & Smith’s brewery including Herbert’s father, his uncle Charles and his older brothers Samuel and Ernest and when an opportunity arose at the brewery, Herbert joined them; his given occupation at the time of the 1901 census was “Brewer’s Clerk.”

Herbert married on 17^th July 1910 in St Peter’s church.  Herbert was 29 years old. His bride was Ethel Daisy Huggett who had been born in Eastbourne. Her father Albert Huggett was a plumber and in 1901 at age 16 years, Ethel was still living with her family, now in Tonbridge and she was working as a sweet confectioner’s assistant. How she and Herbert first met is not apparent.

The newly married couple set up home together at 24 Cowper Road. At the time the 1911 census was taken, no children had been born. It was not until the following year, 1912, that Ethel gave birth to her first born, a daughter, Sibyl May. She was followed by two more children, Herbert Rob, in 1914 and Edward John in 1917.

 By 1911 the business of Locke & Smith was in financial difficulties. The brewery had been charged to London County and Westminster Bank, which decided the brewery should be sold. Benskin’s brewery of Watford acquired it and the tied public houses for £37,600, but closed the brewery in 1914. Happily for Herbert, Benskins continued to employ him, as we discover from the 1921 census that he was still working as a clerk, but was now employed by Benskins in their Watford brewery.

At the time the 1939 Register was compiled, Herbert and Ethel were living on their own in West Road. Herbert was then 58 years old and he was still working  as a “Brewer’s clerk”

Herbert died on 26^th February 1944 at the age 63. His estate, worth £237 14s 7d was left to Ethel.