Working Life on Milton Creek

AVAILABLE FROM NOVEMBER 2025

Ernest Humphrey, born in 1878, wrote or dictated his memories of life as a bargee in 1934. He recalled life and incidents from 30 years in barges on the Thames and Medway and of course the Swale. In 1945 he also wrote of growing up in Milton, and it is a fascinating read. He must have spent some of his time on the barge writing poetry because he also included some of his these writings as well as poems written in retirement in the 1950s. We have made only minor alterations to the typed manuscript, which we hope will make the narrative flow a little better.

We have included memories of Sydney Twist, who worked in Murston, and of Fred Inge who was a sailmaker and rigger on the Creek.

The book begins with an essay on Bargemen on the Creek from 1850 to 1900 by Helen Allinson, researched by the Museum’s Study Group.