Ambrose Collard, 1885–1954
The name of Ambrose Collard was one which came up when George Frampton started researching singers with whom George Spicer would have come into contact during his years working on farms near Dover, before the Second World War.
I wish to thank you for printing an appeal to local former singers and musicians from the time before TV took over a more social entertainment.
Two people took the trouble to reply to me. Ted Baker (formerly of Alkham) told me of his grandfather, Ambrose Collard, and sent me a number of his songs. Ambrose Collard is also recalled by Ron Spicer (the son of George Spicer — started my interest) although he couldn’t quite remember what he actually performed.1
Ambrose was born on 26th September 1885. His mother Elizabeth, née Taylor, was originally from Lydden. His father Ambrose, born 1847, farmed at Wolverton Hill, Alkham, as had his father – also Ambrose. The 1891 census shows the 5 year old Ambrose as the fifth eldest of eight children; five daughters and three sons, with another son arriving the following year. At 15 years old, Ambrose was listed in the census as “Graziers son” – which presumably meant he was now working on the farm; in 1911, still at Wolverton, he was shown simply as “General labourer”.
Ambrose married Mabel Frances Byley at St Anthony the Martyr, Alkham, on 14th April 1917. At the time of the 1921 census they were recorded living at Church Alkham. Ambrose was employed as Farm Bailiff for Francis B. Early, who farmed at Malmann Farm, Alkham. They had two children: 3 year old Ethel Mary, and 1 year old Ambrose James. At the start of the Second World War they were living at Crossroads Villa, Alkham, with Ambrose listed as “Small Holder And Skilled Farm Worker”. They must have been at this address since at least 1933 – under the heading “Milk Producers” the Dover Express for 27th January that year reported that the Dover Rural District Council Surveyor “recommended the application of Mr. Ambrose Collard, of the Cross Roads, Alkham, to be registered as a Wholesale trader and producer”. Ambrose died at the age of 68, in the second quarter of 1954.
The list of songs given below was provided by his grandson Ted, who also remembered that Ambrose used to perform a monologue about the Titanic.
Songs
Wraggle Taggle Gipsies-O (Roud 1)
The Old Armchair (Roud 1195)
Sail home as straight as an arrow (Roud 1753 )
That’s what my answer will be
Where is now the merry party I remember long ago? (Roud 24927)
- George Frampton, “Echoes of the folk singers”, Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald, 01 December 1994 ↩︎
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