A Brief Introduction to his Life: Pickle of Kent, real name William John Coomber is one Miltonian who is still remembered even today. Born 2 August 1846 in Queenborough to Hardy Coomber and Eliza Jackson, he was one of 7 siblings. Although born in Queenborough, he grew up in Milton Regis in accordance with the censuses. At 16 he was found living in Faversham as a master mariner son. On 10 August 1866 he married Mary Ann Whitehead in Milton, he was aged 21 and worked as a labourer. Together they had 11 out of at least 15 children. His career changed to waterman between his marriage and 1869 but he continued living in Milton. In 1871 this was Hog Pound Row or it's most recent name: Gas Road. For the next 10 years he continued to work as a labourer, this included time on the brick fields. 1881 to 1891 was spent on the water and was noted as a sea pilot on the Swale on the 1891 census also again on the 1901 census but the 10 years in between showed him as a labourer or mariner. His abode changed from Bridge Street to King Street to Milton High Street in this time. Until finally he died on 6th January 1933 at 28 High Street Milton. His last occupation was a Hoveller. |
| This picture was provided by Mrs Betty Baker. Pickle was her great grandfather and she was born in his house and lived with him in Milton Regis until he died when she was about 2 years old. Her grandmother Elizabeth Russell died aged 88 in 1965. |
| Pickle on left, pictured with daughter Elizabeth Russell and grandson William Russell. |
A Man of Character:
In December 1991 the EKG* ran a "from our files 100 years ago" column, in it they wrote " A 45- year-old father and grandfather from Milton Regis was providing an entertaining spectacle for friends, by running from the Kingsferry Bridge to the Fountain pub in Sittingbourne in 27 minutes. William Coomber, known to his friends as Pickle, was cheered along the route by well-wishers and went under a triumphal arch at Milton which had been put up by his supporters." The distance by car now is 5 miles, obviously the roads and lay of the land may have differed in 1891 but it's a notable achievement.
In February 1992 a Mrs Edna Brown wrote to the EKG to enlighten us about this man, she mentioned:
- He used to pickle and sell horse radish and pay the local school children halfpenny for a 1lb clean jam jar
- He would put pictures of his running exploits in his front window to show how proud he was of his ability.
- He used to hang an oak bough from his bedroom window on the anniversary of the day that King Charles 2nd hid in an oak tree to escape his enemies.
The EKG then went on to write a wonderful article of this man in March 1992, to view it please click here
*EKG is the East Kent Gazette, a long running local paper.
| Pickle on left, pictured with grandson Syd Russell. |
| Finally, you just hope it's true: |
| Through family history research I've met a lot of people related to Coombers, when talking finally gets round to Pickle of Kent the following statements always pop up: |
| He played football with an elephant | Apparently this was when Sanger's use to bring his travelling circus to town. Indeed, there is evidence that Sanger's did take his circus to the playing fields at Snipes Hill but there is no mention of this football event. |
| He fought a kangaroo | No evidence for this event either, just speculation that it also happened when Sanger's came to town. |
| He did a lot for charity | Again no proof of this |