| Candidate | Party | Votes |
| *Edmund Bourne | Conservative | 461 |
| *Edward Hodges | Conservative | 456 |
| William Holmes | Conservative | 374 |
| *James Jackson | Liberal | 365 |
| W. Smith | Conservative | 325 |
| *J. Keartland | Liberal | 307 |
| William James | Liberal | 199 |
| A. Lunt | Liberal | 164 |
*denotes retiring councillor
James Jackson regained his seat following the ‘drawing of lots’ against fellow Liberal Keartland in last year’s election. Ironically, Keartland lost his seat this time around.
Holmes (Con) was re-elected after two years away from the council. Independent member Welsh did not seek re-election, who was first elected back in 1894.
The polling was reported to have been unusually slow for most of the day but the total number of voters was about normal. There was only one spoilt ballot paper. A large crowd had congregated outside the council house when the declaration came at 11pm. The results were read out by Acting returning officer Mr. J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst.
9 Conservatives (Bourne, Hodges, Holmes, Growse, Bostock, Gee, Weetman, Stringer, Smith)
3 Liberals (Jackson, Street, Murdock)
Council Clerk – Mr. J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst
| Candidate | Party | Votes |
| *Capt James Stringer | Unionist | u/opposed |
| *Arthur Weetman | Unionist | u/opposed |
| Alfred Herbert | Unionist | co-opted |
| Richard Knight | Liberal | co-opted |
*denotes retiring councillor
Four councillors had been nominated for ‘retirement’, these being: Smith, Stringer, Murdock and Weetman. However, Murdock was leaving Kenilworth and Smith did not want to offer himself for re-election.
But with only the two vacancies to fill it was considered by both Parties that an election might be avoided if each party selected a candidate to fill the two seats. This resulted in Herbert and Knight being co-opted. It was also agreed that present members, Weetman and Stringer would be elected unopposed. This agreement would not alter the political make-up of the council and with the triennial elections returning next year they decided this was a convenient arrangement for this year.
Richard Knight was first elected at the inaugural KUDC election in 1894, being one of the ‘Liberal/Separatist Eight’ but on seeking re-election in 1897, he lost his seat. Co-opted member, Alfred Herbert is new to the council.
9 Conservatives (Bourne, Hodges, Holmes, Growse, Bostock, Gee, Weetman, Stringer, Herbert)
3 Liberals (Jackson, Street, Knight)
Council Clerk – Mr J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst
In late October 1962, the manageress of the Bear & Ragged Staff Hotel, Mrs Doris Harley, informed Kenilworth Police about a theft from their premises. 24-year-old, Brain Painter a barman, from Cheshire, who had worked at the ‘Bear’ for about two months, had disappeared along with more than £300 from the safe, and a car belonging to one of the guests.
Mrs Harley told police that Painter was on his own while working in Kenilworth, but he had made frequent phone calls to his wife in Conway, North Wales. She was apparently, pregnant.
The next report of him was on Thursday 25th October, when he turned up in France. He had contacted the British Embassy saying that while visiting the Eiffel Tower he had been robbed of his passport and wallet, which contained money and travellers cheques. He was issued with some money and emergency travel documents to get him back to England. He told them he would be travelling back on Friday – but he never did.
The next time anything was heard of him, was when his body was found in a remote forest near Troyes, eastern France, close to the Luxembourg border, which was about 100 miles from Paris. His body was reported to have been found slumped over the wheel of a stolen french car, which had Paris number-plates. Newspaper reports indicated that empty sachets of Aspirin were found next to his body. Police enquires led them to questioning a hostess at a Paris night club, but this didn’t lead to anything useful.
His body was taken to Paris for a post-mortem. The medical examiner indicated that in his opinion an overdose of Aspirin did not kill him. Internal organs were examined, which revealed that he had died from carbon monoxide poisioning. This led to the theory that his death was due to exposure from exhaust fumes, but this could not be confirmed.
The French police disclosed that his body and head were wrapped in a waterproof sheet, so concluded he could not have killed himself. On this evidence it looks like murder – what else? But nothing was ever reported in the UK press in the weeks and months following his death, and it quickly turned into a cold-case.
Strangley, on the British version of his death certificate, it does not list the cause of death, but it does say a ‘Local death certificate produced’, which presumably would confirm the possible/probable cause of death. The date of his death was recorded as ‘About the 28th October’.
So, in very mysterious circumstances the ‘Bear barman’, had come to a lonely end, in a french forest – but was it suicide or was it murder?
| Candidate | Party | Votes |
| *Edwin Gee | Conservative | 533 |
| *William Growse | Conservative | 531 |
| *James Jackson | Liberal | 495 |
| *George Bostock | Conservative | 476 |
| Charles Randall | Liberal | 476 |
| Arthur Street | Liberal | 465 |
| *Edward Hodges | Conservative | 451 |
| *Edmund Bourne | Conservative | 430 |
| William Riley | Liberal | 363 |
| Maj. Berkeley | Conservative | 355 |
| Edward Margetts | Conservative | 327 |
| *Arthur Weetman | Conservative | 307 |
| Candidate | Party | Votes |
| George Barnet | Liberal | 299 |
| William Pears | Conservative | 298 |
| John Knight | Liberal | 291 |
| *Richard Knight | Liberal | 289 |
| Ernest Nixon | Conservative | 262 |
| Dr. Jackson | Conservative | 261 |
| T. Sherwin | Liberal | 183 |
| Charles Wilkinson | Conservative | 150 |
*denotes retiring councillor
This was the first triennial election of the KUDC since the inaugural poll of 1894. Up until this point, the council was using the annual election system, where one-third of councillors needed to retire and seek re-election. But the suggestion of adopting triennial elections permanently had been discussed by the council back in 1901, at which time it was voted through unanimously. But it took three years to sort out the details (with the County Council) and revert back to it permanently. Several reasons were put forward for the change. Money would be saved from not having elections every year and it would also stop the ill-feeling and friction that always seemed to happen during annual elections. Plus the fact that the electorate were getting fed-up with having to vote every year.
Liberal Richard Knight, who was elected back onto the council un-opposed at last years annual election surprisingly lost his seat. But fellow Liberal, William Riley was returned, having previously served between 1894-1898. Conservatives, Alfred Herbert and Capt Stringer who were elected onto the council last year in the annual election, did not seek re-election.
The counting took place at 9am the following day. The result was declared by returning officer Mr. J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst, outside the council house in Upper Rosemary Hill at 1.10pm. Despite the inclement weather a decent crowd had gathered to hear the results.
A local newspaper stated; “The rain in the evening prevented anything like any demonstration, which is usual at the close of the poll, neither was there any disturbance during the day so the police had a quiet time”.
8 Conservatives (Gee, Bostock, Growse, Hodges, Bourne, Berkeley, Weetman, Margetts)
4 Liberals (Jackson, Randall, Street, Riley)
1904-05 Edmund Bourne
1905-06 Edmund Bourne
1906-07 Edmund Bourne
Council Clerk – Mr. J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst
Photo courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office ref. PH (N) 600/147
An urban district was a local government district that covered an urbanised area. They had an elected council (UDC) and shared the local government responsiblies along with county councils.
These urban districts (and rural districts) were first created in 1894 by the (Local Government Act 1894) as subdivisions of administrative districts. These reforms of local government started mainly in England and Wales. But within a few years Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland also adopted these reforms.
UDCs replaced the former system of urban sanitary districts or local boards (based on poor-law unions) the functions of which were taken over by the new UDCs. Their powers were extended and also had the responsibilities of parklands, cemeteries, water supplies and local planning.
The principal effects of the act were:
The urban district system (and RDCs) would have elected councils, as would parish councils. This would form a second tier of local government below the county councils.
The entitlement of women who owned property to vote in local elections, become poor-law guardians and sit on school boards.
All councillors would initially be elected for a three year term, but one third of the members would be required to stand for re-election each year (around April). However, UDCs had the power to retain the triennial election if a two-thirds majority of councillors were in favour ot it.
To be eligible for an election, a candidate was required to be on the electoral register and to have lived in the area for 12 months prior to the election.
All electors only had one vote, unlike in previous years where the ‘weighted’ voting system was in place. This allowed some electors who owned more property than others to have multiple votes.
The elected chairman of the new Urban and Rural district councils automatically became a Justice of the Peace.
| Candidate | Party | Votes |
| *William Growse | Conservative | 579 |
| *Edward Hodges | Conservative | 528 |
| *James Jackson | Liberal | 528 |
| *Edmund Bourne | Conservative | 522 |
| *Charles Randall | Conservative | 511 |
| *George Bostock | Conservative | 499 |
| *Edwin Gee | Conservative | 452 |
| *Arthur Street | Liberal | 431 |
| Charles Carter | Conservative | 418 |
| George Barnett | Liberal | 410 |
| *William Riley | Liberal | 406 |
| *Arthur Weetman | Conservative | 379 |
| Charles Wilkinson | Conservative | 354 |
| Arthur Perkins | Conservative | 346 |
| Edward Lee | Liberal | 340 |
| Jeremiah O’Hea | Liberal | 331 |
| Richard Taylor | Liberal | 295 |
| Wiliiam Holmes | Conservative | 292 |
| John Clarke | Liberal | 283 |
| William Bishop | Liberal | 266 |
| Thomas Smith | Conservative | 261 |
| Richard Knight | Liberal | 237 |
| Arthur Walmsley | Liberal | 226 |
| George Whenday | Liberal | 224 |
*denotes retiring councillor
More interest was shown over this triennial election than is normally the case. There was one or two topics to arouse the interest of the ratepayers, notably that of the on-going issue with the sewage farm. The other being that too many farmers were on the council, four of them. But with an average vote of 464 each, this vindicated their inclusion. So, the result of the election shows that the ratepayers endorsed the action of their representatives in this matter.
All the old members who offered themselves up for re-election were returned. Maj. Berkeley and Edward Margetts did not seek re-election. They were replaced by Mr Barnett and Mr Carter.
Several motor-cars and carriages were lent by the conservatives candidates and supporters to ‘assist’ voters to the polling stations. The Liberals only had one motor-car plus two or three carriages for assistance, which probably didn’t help their cause. Charles Randall who was elected as a Liberal in 1904, had now switched to the Conservatives.
Polling took place as usual was at St. Nicholas schoolrooms, School Lane and three polling stations were used. Voters were allotted a station by the initial of their surname. Voting commenced at 8am until 8pm. Returning officer was Mr. J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst.
8 Conservatives (Growse, Hodges, Bourne, Randall, Bostock, Gee, Carter, Weetman)
4 Liberals (Jackson, Street, Barnett, Riley)
1907-08 William Growse
1908-09 William Growse
1909-10 William Growse
Council Clerk – Mr. J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst
Photo courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. ref. PH (N) 600/147/3
| Candidate | Party | Votes |
| Arthur Perkins | Unionist | 359 |
| Major F. Nelson | Unionist | 329 |
| Edward Lee | Liberal | 295 |
| John Clarke | Liberal | 258 |
| Mr Swain | unattached | 18 |
Electorate 1000
Turnout 658
This election was to fill two vacancies, one was due to the death of Mr Barnett, the other for the resignation of longstanding chairman, Edmund Bourne.
Polling took place at St. Nicholas Schoolrooms in School Lane, where three polling stations were used. There was a great absence of interest on part of the voters and if it were not for the energetic helpers bringing people in motor-cars and carriages, one would not have thought an election was being held at all.
The count was conducted on the day after the election (Tuesday 20th) at the council house in Upper Rosemary Hill. Results were declared at around 10am by acting returning officer, Mr. J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst.
Both the two successful candidates are new to the council. Although, Mr Perkins had just missed out in the 1907 election.
‘Unattached’ candidate, Mr Swain, who finished bottom of the pile with a meagre 18 votes, apparently stated before polling; ‘I do not want my friends voting for me’. Well, Mr Swain, you got your wish and it looks like not many people who weren’t your friend, didn’t bother to vote for you either.
9 Cons/Unionists (Perkins, Nelson, Growse, Hodges, Randall, Bostock, Gee, Carter, Weetman)
3 Liberals (Jackson, Street, Riley)
| Candidate | Party | Votes |
| *Edward Hodges | Conservative | 651 |
| *William Growse | Conservative | 527 |
| *Charles Randall | Conservative | 504 |
| Henry Griffiths | Liberal | 489 |
| *James Jackson | Liberal | 477 |
| Lincoln Chandler | Conservative | 474 |
| *George Bostock | Conservative | 454 |
| *Arthur Street | Liberal | 450 |
| *Edwin Gee | Conservative | 444 |
| *Arthur Perkins | Conservative | 426 |
| Andrew Berkeley | Conservative | 419 |
| *Charles Carter | Conservative | 409 |
| Candidate | Party | Votes |
| Madeley Burman | Conservative | 407 |
| John Clarke | Liberal | 403 |
| Edward Green | Liberal | 389 |
| Lord E. Seymour | Conservative | 359 |
| *William Riley | Liberal | 358 |
| Job Satchwell | Liberal | 226 |
*denotes retiring councillor
This election did not arouse much interest amongst the electorate, nor the parties for that matter. Prior to the election, the Unionists/Conservatives held just two meetings, and the Liberals none at all.
But in the end, three new members were elected, Berkeley, Chandler and Griffiths. Liberal, William Riley, was the only retiring member to lose his seat.
As part of his election address, Dr. William Growse voiced the opinion that a bridge should be placed over the ford. He later confessed that this remark may have lost the Conservatives many votes.
Lord Leigh, Lord Seymour, Randall and Chandler sent out motor-cars to help with the election. While Berkeley, Growse and Weetman sent out carriages.
Three polling stations were used, all at the same place, St. Nicholas schoolrooms in School Lane.
The results were declared on the steps of the council house at 12.12pm on the following day (Tuesday) by Acting returning officer, Mr. J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst.
9 Conservatives (Hodges, Growse, Randall, Gee, Bostock, Chandler, Perkins, Berkeley, Carter)
3 Liberals (Griffiths, Jackson, Street)
1910-11 Edwin Gee
1911-12 Edward Hodges
1912-13 Edward Hodges
Council Clerk – Mr J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst
Photo courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. (ref. PH (N) 600/147/3)
| Candidate | Party | Votes |
| *Arthur Street | Liberal | 549 |
| *William Growse | Conservative | 524 |
| *Edward Hodges | Conservative | 517 |
| Joseph Crouch | Liberal | 492 |
| *Charles Randall | Conservative | 466 |
| *James Jackson | Liberal | 440 |
| John Clarke | Liberal | 425 |
| *Henry Griffiths | Liberal | 422 |
| *Edwin Gee | Conservative | 418 |
| Andrew Hacking | Liberal | 376 |
| *Arthur Perkins | Conservative | 353 |
| *Charles Carter | Conservative | 352 |
| Candidate | Party | Votes |
| Ernest Nixon | Conservative | 344 |
| Madeley Burman | Conservative | 338 |
| Charles Housiaux | Conservative | 115 |
| Robert Lynn | Conservative | 62 |
*denotes retiring member
Only 16 candidates stood in this triennial election. The result being a gain of two seats for the Liberal Party, all six of their candidates being elected, including two new members, Hacking and Clarke. Indeed, this was Mr Clarke’s forth attempt at a KUDC election.
One noticable absentee from the election was George Bostock, who had been on the council since 1898. The reason giving was that he was leaving Kenilworth to live in Cubbington.
Votes recorded totalled 2,704 for the Liberals and 2,630 for the Conservatives.
For the very first time in a Kenilworth election, there were no public meetings held by either party in the town. There was very little use of any traps or carriages displaying any posters, and motor-cars were generally few and far between in bringing people to the polling stations. Voting did increase a little after 7pm, only one hour before polling closed but this is normal in local elections. Polling stations, as usual were at St Nicholas School in School Lane.
The count started at 9am on the following day (Tuesday 8th) at the council house at Upper Rosemary Hill, The declaration came at 11.30am and with the election being so underwhelming, only one member of the public was there to witness it.
Ernest Hadow, the temporary Council Clerk, carried out the duties of the returning officer due to the illness of Joseph Willington-Wilmshurst. Unfortunately, he died just over a month after the election, on 9th May, he was only 58. He had been the clerk of KUDC since its inception.
6 Conservatives (Growse, Hodges, Randall, Gee, Perkins, Carter)
6 Liberals (Street, Crouch, Jackson, Clarke, Griffiths, Hacking)
1913-14 Arthur Street
1914-15 Arthur Street
1915-16 Arthur Street
1916-17 Charles Randall
1917-18 Charles Randall
1918-19 Charles Randall
Council Clerk – Ernest Hadow
photo courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. (ref. PH (N) 600/147/3)