Mischievous boys from Flamstead End

Hertfordshire Mercury, 5th June 1915

Transcript

At Cheshunt Petty Sessions Alfred Livings (11), Gilbert Faint (14), Leslie Faint (10), and Charles Rogers (12), all residing at Flamstead End, were summoned for assaulting Percy Waller, on May 20, at Cheshunt.  The defendants pleaded guilty.  Mr L. Bell, solicitor, who prosecuted, said notwithstanding that the defendants were small in stature they had been of late terrorizing the district of Flamstead End.  The case arose out of jealousy because the boys had been kept out of the Church Lad’s Brigade, and in consequence they committed a serious assault upon Waller, who was a member of the Brigade.

Percy Waller said he was a member of the Cheshunt Church Lads’ Brigade, and on the evening of May 20 he was going to drill when the four boys threw tufts of grass and stones at him.  A large flint thrown by Rogers struck him above the left eye, causing a nasty cut, and also making him fall to the ground.  Stephen Waller, father of the prosecutor, said that the boy Livings admitted that they threw stones at his boy.

The defendants said that Waller had been in the habit of hitting them, and when they saw him coming they threw grass at him.

Waller, recalled, denied that he had hit the boys at any time.  He was wearing his Brigade uniform at the time.  On another occasion the two Faints called after him: ‘There goes England’s last hope’.  (Laughter).

The Rev. T.H.W. Barker, an officer of the C.L.B., said the boy Gilbert Faint had the power of making a nuisance of himself wherever he was.  He was the ring-leader of Flamstead End.

Station Sergt. Drew said he had had complaints, particularly about the boys Faint and Livings.  They had done a lot of damage in Flamstead End in the way of breaking windows, and also damaging the Mission Hall.

The Chairman said the Bench were determined to put a stop to such mischief by boys.  Each boy would be fined 6s., or 5 days.

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  • I was born in Longfield lane in Flamstead in 1966 and left Cheshunt 20 years ago, but knew of the Rogers and Faints family. I wonder if these were relatives of the above.

    By Elliot (17/01/2016)