THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE ― These Findon Chronicles are created by Valerie Martin and are progressively growing to be the only record of life around Findon, West Sussex, England.  Everyday stories about real people..... in fact, a potted history of the village.  The topics today, are the history of tomorrow. 

A. J. (JIMMY) KEEN, HEAD LAD AT THE DOWNS STABLES IN FINDON

Copyright Valerie Martin 2012

At the end of January 2012 I heard from Ann Hyde saying that she had been searching through some old family photographs and had come across one of a Findon resident of the past.   This was her Great Grandfather, Jimmy Keen, photographed here during the First World War in France in 1918.......unfortunately, Ann didn't know the name of horse but he certainly looks like an equine of some breeding and I hope he made it back to Britain.

Ann related that on a certain occasion, some of the military horses broke loose and Jimmy went out "under fire" and managed to retrieve them.    It was at this point that his Commanding Officer informed him that he would receive the highest military medal for his act.    Sadly, and most unfortunately, the Commanding Officer was killed in action before this could be made official and, therefore, nothing came of it.

Jimmy had been born in Ireland (date unknown) and came to Britain at the tender age of twelve and having a love for horses, he sought work as a stable lad.    After various jobs in racing yards (one being in Cranbourne in 1905) he ended up rather interestingly for us, in Sussex in 1910 at the Downs Stables in Stable Lane.   Here he was gainfully employed as Head Lad.    This was in the era that Bob Gore was the trainer at the Downs Stables with the two Grand National Winners JERRY M in 1912 and COVERCOAT in 1913.    Unfortunately, many stable personnel were subsequently conscripted into the army  within the next couple of years to fight the Germans.  

Following hostilities, Jimmy return to Findon and employment as the Head Lad for many years.    Ann says ...

"I do have a lot of memories of both Great Grandparents in Findon and my visits to them. Remembering Great Grandad's stories of his work with the race horses, of course, have stuck with me. Towards the latter years he was absolutely delighted to meet the race horses when they went up his road and, even though he was a small man and these horses towered over him, he would go right up to them and say hello - he held no fear and, of course, horses trust you more when you are confident around them.....he taught me that".

She added..."He was looked upon with great respect by the Yard and people turned to him for his knowledge and understanding of the horses and he remained there right up until he retired".

Later Anne emailed to say...."Hello Valerie....I do remember him saying with pride, about Jerry M, he was very fond of him. I don't remember him saying about Covercoat, but he may not have had so much hands on work with that one, or it could just be me not remembering. I have to say I am not certain when he became Head Lad though, whether before he went to the War or became Head Lad after when he returned.

Looking at your articles I did see Holy War mentioned and he often said about that one. A gentle giant of a horse, that one day a child was playing near him and a ball went near to Holy War - the child (I don't recall who) crawled next to the horses legs to retrieve it and Holy War just stood there a let him, he didn't worry at all. When Great Grandad retired they presented him with a photograph of Holy War and a large etching of him.

Another horse I remember him mentioning was one called Manrico (but that's a story for another post)!

Hope this is of some help, Regards, ann".

Here is a photograph from the early 1950s depicting Jimmy Keen outside G. W. Blackwell the butchers in The Square in Findon (Jimmy is on the right).

Then....

.... and now.

Jimmy Keen died c. 1966.

In April 2012 I heard from Ann Hyde again with a segment of Findon history and a painting dated 1920........"Hello Valerie....I have another little snippet for you. As mentioned before, my Great Grandad, Jimmy Keen, worked at the Downs Racing Yard where he was highly thought of.

In fact, to the extent that he was given a couple of paintings of horses he had looked after. One of which was a horse called Manrico by an Artist named W. Wasdell-Trickett. Here's a photograph of that painting now owned by a member of the family.

The thing is when I looked up W. Wasdell-Trickett, it refers to the name Walter Wasdell-Trickett and I have even come across reference to aWilliam Wasdell-Trickett - both referring to the same Artist who concentrated mostly on oils of horses.

Now this is where it gets interesting (at least I think so) as I happen to know that W. Wasdell-Trickett was actually a woman. I know so, because my Great Grandad actually met her and told me about her visit to the Yard to sketch and do a painting of Manrico. What this lady didn't realise prior to her visit was that Manrico was very bad tempered, to the point that she was not allowed to get near him and actually had to take a photograph of him to work from - I can even remember where I was standing when GG told me about it, (some things stick with you, this is one of them). Back in the 20's a woman Artist would have still been frowned upon, whereas to sign paintings as W. Wasdell-Trickett, would leave people assuming it was a man and thus much easier to sell her work.....the same as Authors did (and still do probably).

I just thought this might be of interest to you and your readers. Many regards, ann".



Continue to read Who, Where and When — William "Bill" Keen (J. W. "Jimmy" Keen's son)

 Back to Racing Stables in Findon Index

 Back to Main Index

THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE —  is a continually growing record created by Valerie Martin exclusively for documenting life in Findon.