Alan Jennings

Alan Jennings was a man who had a big heart, a lot of humour and was a proud Husband, Father, Grandfather, Lighterman and Waterman.

He was a big character, who in recent years became rather partial to a waistcoat or two, wearing different designs that reflected his life and personality. He was always up for a joke, a little banter or a song, so very much a performer at heart. So the waistcoat was a fine costume for him. Dressing up and sharing his magic tricks were a regular occurrence and enjoyed even if they went wrong. He successfully sawed someone in half (thankfully that didn’t go wrong). For his latest pageant at Halloween, when he organised and created a gothic funeral procession and insisted on a smoke machine and for participants to dress up for the event!

Sharing Alan’s story would not be complete if there was no mention of the great family man that he was. He was dedicated to Jean , who he met when they were both in their early 20s; he a handsome Teddy boy who was on leave from his National Service and Jean an elegant girl who , looking at some of the black and white photos, was a quite a catch!

They met in a pub in Silvertown, around Christmas time and had mutual connections, they hit it off and the rest is history. They didn’t marry straight away as Alan was posted to Suez. On return from Suez and completing his National Service they married at St Mary Magdalene Church in East Ham on 20th July 1957 . Like many newly weds at that time, they first lived with Alan’s parents before eventually getting a Council flat in Edwin Avenue, where they brought up Christine, Carole and Lee.

During the early days as a playful Dad, he would go along with Christine and Carole’s antics, letting them put make-up on him (though he never allowed lipstick – he had his limits!) and they would mess up his hair, dress him up and play fight. Carole remembers being taught the half and full Nelson arm hold, and how he would teach both her and Lee how to box; He was a keen boxer himself. He also demonstrated judo moves and they would often scream, ‘Surrender.’ Lots of singing would also be had with the likes of “Monday is a washing day, Tuesday is soup day, is everybody happy bet your life you are.” And yes they were.

There were wonderful memories of walking round the City of London in their Sunday best, or at Christmas time being taken up to the West End to see the lights and browsing round Hamley’s, and being asked to choose a present you might like Santa to bring. Or going out to Southend for their festive display and a trip to the infamous Sausage shop. Christine has memories of her Dad taking her alone to see the Mousetrap on her thirteenth birthday, it was a very special occasion and a treat to have his company to herself.

There were many family gatherings over the years including the summer afternoons spent with friends and family at The Pavillion pub by Woolwich beach, where the kids built sandcastles and the adults chewed the fat! Or the special walks along the River, by Putney or Ham, no doubt Alan sharing his passion for the Thames with his family, and stories about being a Lighterman and Waterman, a job he absolutely loved. He shared lots of stories, like the time he pulled out a gun from the Thames and after cleaning it up presented it to the Police Station – who pointed out that it was no good, as he had removed all evidence!

Alan was a hard working man who always strove to do his best for his wife and family and had over the years when not working on the Thames, picked up work where he could as a lorry driver, milkman and at one point an Ice Cream man – very popular with Christine as she got to go on the rounds after school and no doubt got a 99 or Rabbits ears on the way.

Susan remembered that shooting rabbits was one of Alan’s pastimes with her husband; something he learnt to do quite young when evacuated to Cornwall during the war. He apparently shot two and immediately sold them to the local teacher for half penny each (3d in old money) and no doubt became teacher’s pet having given him a full stomach.

Back to his career, it was working on the Thames where his heart was. He had wanted to always follow in his brother George’s footsteps, but his parents tried to deter him. They finally gave up and for the majority of his working life Alan enjoyed the tugs, the lighters and the complexity of being a skilled skipper; he had over the years worked on many big changes on the Thames, that included the Thames barrier and also transporting ballast from Gravesend to Canary Wharf when it was being developed. He had also been part of the dismantling of the old London Bridge, and proudly kept a relic for the family to keep – though his Arthur Daley antics to try and sell it were not successful, thankfully, as perhaps keeping it in the family for historical value is priceless. He was also very active in the Union and took his role seriously, always striving for fairness and rights to protect his fellow colleagues. He was shop steward and liaised on Licence changes and campaigned to MPS to get their support. The responsibilities of his profession were extensive and no doubt the dangers involved were immense, so having someone like Alan represent the workers, was no doubt valued by many, and probably kept those in charge on their toes !

Alan’s belief was “let those who make the guns, fire the bullets.” He had strong principals and stuck by what he was passionate about.

Having worked on the Woolwich Ferry in his latter career, he was forced to retire due to ill health , which was a challenge for Alan, as he missed his life on the river. He did however try to keep himself busy and inspired by the Character Arthur Daley, he got a lock up and attended auctions buying up stock to resell.

Jean and Alan left London and moved to an Alms house in Ditchling on retirement; it provided an opportunity for him to take time out for magic acts and other ideas for events.

During this period he volunteered at the local Lavender Steam railway where his Grandson George got to watch his Granddad take on guard duties or serve the public in the shop. He loved steam trains and over the years the family remember visiting the Dart Valley Railway when it was first developed, in Devon. Family holidays had over the years been fondly remembered, staying in caravans, often in Devon and also having their own caravan at one point on the Isle of Sheppey.

Retirement in Ditchling meant that more time was had with the Grandchildren, Leanne, George and Jack . Jack remembers being taught to play Cricket and football in the countryside as well as a pie and a pint afterwards as a treat… though I don’t think Jack had the pint.

Moving to Watermans Close in 2007 , the couple have enjoyed the camaraderie and the history they shared with the local community and Alan loved being by the sea. He was happy to be surrounded by the Watermen and their families, the paraphernalia exhibited here in the hall to admire and a feeling of The Thames still very much in his blood.

Christine remembers how Alan assisted her for a week with her allotment in Wanstead. She got him doing all sorts of tasks from weeding, to getting a fire going and Alan loved the week pottering about and as payment he was treated to his favourite local Pie and Mash. He probably remembered the days when the family used to have an allotment, where not so much gardening or veg was produced. Instead they would enjoy the veranda on their shed , having a cuppa and enjoying other people’s produce!

Alan was born 8th October 1934 in Charlemont Road, East Ham to parents Edith and George Jennings, he was the youngest of four and brother to Edie, George and Jean. In Alan’s memoirs, he mentioned how when he and his sister Jean were both evacuated, she had the responsibility of looking after him on the train to Cornwall, but not long in to the journey he disappeared with his school friend, Roy Harris and didn’t get billeted to the same village as her. He ended up along with Roy (who’d also ditched his sibling) staying with a couple who got them settled, and cleaned up – as they were a mess from the journey , apparently left till the very last to be selected. Alan thought it might have something to do with the state of them putting people off.

You are what you are
By Ray Maynard

You are what you are,
From the moment of birth tim the time you demise,
You struggle for knowledge, be it folly or wise,
You strain to attain position and wealth,
You diet and train for vigorous health
But you are what you are.

You are what you are,
The future is vague wether near or far,
The past is gone, you are what you are,
Cast off your airs and silly graces,
Forsake your masks and foolish faces,
For you are what you are
You are what you are,
When at last you are returned to the ground
Part of the soil on some hilly mound
Will you worry, fret and fuss,
On the inevitable that befalls all of us?
Will you then be what you are?

For those in Peril
By Phil Coulter

Eternal Father strong to save
Whose arm has bound the restless wave
Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep
It’s own appointed limits keep
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in Peril on the sea

Oh Christ whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy word
Who walked’st on the foamy deep
And calm amidst its rage did sleep
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in Peril on the sea

Most holy spirit! Who didst brood
upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease
and give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

O Trinity of love and power,
Our brethren shield in danger’s hour.
From rock and tempest, fire, and foe
Protect them wheresoe’er they go.
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee,
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea