Lt. Col. Horace Percy Fielder Island Pioneer By Fred McCave (1979) Published in 'The Bulletin' 1979
The word pioneer conjures up a picture of covered wagon trains, with bearded men wearing Colt 45 revolvers and hopefully fighting off Indian attacks. Canvey has had its share of people who, while not quite fulfilling this image have, however, built up the Island.
Fielder in the 1940's
Canvey's 'Army'
But it must not be thought that his activities were solely military. Far from it! At his second attempt he had secured election to Canvey Urban District Council, at a by-election in 1932. During the pre-war years he was chairman and vice chairman for three years, chairman of the finance committee for three years, chairman of the public health and town planning committee for years and took an active part in so many local organisations that it is impossible to list them.
Holidays
Thorney Bay Army Camp
Winning
In April, 1941 he was in command of 1,000 men building an airport. In October, 1941 he was officer commanding troops to Engey Island, SW, where he installed guns and hutting for coast defence. In January, 1942 Col. Fielder became deputy fire commander, Rykjavick Fire Command. After going to the School for Chemical Warfare he returned to Iceland. He became a battery commander on the Forth, and later officer commanding troops, Grammond Island. In December, 1942, he was promoted major and a fire commander. In April, 1944, he went to the Clyde.
In December, 1944, he became a General Staff Officer in the Allied Control Commission and Joined Military Goverment, 21 Army Group, Britain Liberation Army (which later became the British Army of the Rhine). In August, 1945, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and in September, 1945, he was posted to the headquarters of 1st Corps District.
National Fame
During the war he was blown up by a mine in an Army jeep and has suffered from war wounds since. Much to his regret this prevented him riding again on horseback. As a huntsman this was a bitter blow, but he continued to maintain his interest in the chase.
He was awarded the Territorial Defence decoration for his services to King and Country. In 1947 Col. Fielder returned home to Canvey. Post-war conditions were indeed difficult both for industry and for local government. He realised the urgent need for housing and for the restoration of the district and its improvements. He at once set about these tasks and for three years he never took a day's holiday from these labours.
Access Plan
Keenly interested in refuse collection he again pioneered this service and saw its eventual progress from open bins in roads to the stream-lined, weekly service of today. Col. Fielder was also interested in reviving interest in local government and he developed a new approa ch to bring in all shades of local political thought. He did this by holding at election time, special meetings. Based on the late President Roosevelt's famous "fireside chats" they stimulated immense interest throughout the whole of South East Essex. Many were held at the "Cox's Hall" and so popular did they become that special overflow meetings were staged to cope with the vast audiences. He also arranged similar meetings for post-war political gatherings and Mr. Bernard Braine, later Sir Bernard Braine, then seeking to become a Member of Parliament, spoke.
It was early 1950s that Col. Fielder launched the scheme which has made his name a household word in holiday circles throughout England. As this country recovered from the post-war years he become increasingly concerned that people of modest means were unable to get the holiday facilities that they deserved. Many camps had been taken over for war time use and some people thought that their rigid military lines had become part of them. Others could not afford to go, even if they wanted.
Thorney Bay Thorney Bay Holiday Camp
Col. Fielder was still a bachelor, 'Canvey's most eligible' said some. It was on September 18, 1952, that married his secretary, 24-year-old Miss Barbara Fuller, daughter of the late Councillor Arthur Seaman Fuller, and Mrs. E. Fuller. He announced his engagement publicly in April 1952 when he was defeated at Canvey's first own Essex County Council election. Previously Canvey had shared a County "seat" but as a result of Col. Fielder's and other's efforts Canvey got its seat. It was ironic that Col. Fielder should be defeated, but he was. Mr. Arthur Carrington Mason took the seat for Labour. At the counting of the votes Col. Fielder created a national sensation by saying "I have lost an election but gained a wife".
With a Sword Then, in 1953, came the East Coast flood disaster. Canvey was inundated by the sea. Col. Fielder rallied the whole of the Island behind him to restore the confidence of people in Canvey and to get it rebuilt. First priority was the reconstruction of the sea wall. Millions of pounds were spent on it and so much was done to it that it has been proof against even higher tides since, now a new scheme is underway.
Fielder House Although pressure of work prevented him from taking posts other than president or vice-president, he was able to assume, with the loyal support of his wife, the post of treasurer of the local Conservative Association and to enable them to have their own Conservative Club. This has been named after him, in tribute.
Mrs. Fielder was presented to the Queen and Prince Phillip at Court, at Buckingham Palace in 1958. Col. Fielder had been presented to the then Royal Family at a pre-war level.
Fielder’s Vision can be seen here
The Fielder Family
Generation One
1. Leonard FIELDER, occupation Foreman. He married Maria ?. Children: 2. i. William FIELDER b. 1842.
Generation Two
2. William FIELDER, b. 1842 in Surrey, d. bef 1897, resided 1865 in St Johns Terrace, Islington, Middlesex, resided 1877 in 5 St Johns Terrace, Clerkenwell, occupation 1865 Silversmith, occupation 1877 Silversmith. He married Emma Elizabeth HARDIMAN, 17 Sept 1865 in St Mark, Middleton Square, Islington, Middlesex, b. 1842 in Clerkenwell (daughter of George HARDIMAN). Children: i. Jessie Emma Maria FIELDER, b. 16 Aug 1865 in Clerkenwell, Middlesex, baptized 1 Jul 1877 in St Marks, Clerkenwell, London. She married ?, Sept qtr 1887 in Islington District, Middlesex. ii. Edith Mary FIELDER, b. 6 Mar 1868 in Clerkenwell, Middlesex, baptized 1 Jul 1877 in St Marks, Clerkenwell, London. 3. iii. William Alfred FIELDER b. 12 Aug 1874.
Generation Three
3. William Alfred FIELDER, b. 12 Aug 1874 in Clerkenwell, Middlesex, baptized 1 Jul 1877 in St Marks, Clerkenwell, London, resided 1897 in 89 Bolsover Street, Marylebone, London, resided 1911-1912 in 22 Citizen Road, Holloway, London, occupation 1897 Commercial Traveller, occupation 1911 Salesman-Cycle and Motor. He married Susan WATKINS, 8 May 1897 in Trinity Church, Marylebone, Middlesex, b. 1873 in Marylebone, Middlesex (daughter of Henry John WATKINS), d. 27 Apr 1947, resided 1897 in 195 Cleveland Street, Marylebone, London, resided 1947 in 246 Creighton Avenue, Finchley, London. Children: i. Horace Percy FIELDER, b. 28 Jul 1906 in Stoke Newington, London, resided 1911 in 22 Citizen Road, Holloway, London. He married Barbara FULLER, 18 Sep 1952 in St Katherines, Canvey Island, Essex, b. 1928.
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Canvey Island Essex |
Horace Percy Fielder |
Lt. Col. Horace Percy Fielder, T. D. Councillor, builder, soldier, civil engineer and, in the pre- and post war years a developer who always had a great faith in the area - in the good times and in the bad ones, in the seed time and in the harvest times. |
But back to war Col. Fielder was posted to Canvey' s Fort (it is interesting to note that he later acquired his "barracks" after the war and transformed them into part of his holiday camp). In May, 1940 he was sent overseas to North West European Forces and took Canvey troops to Norway. The Islanders were among the first to engage the then triumphant German forces.
He was in action at Harstaad (Northern Norway) and went to Lodingen on West Fjord, which is on the approaches to Narvik. He dealt with refugees and met the mayor of Lodingen. |
Col. Fielder launched Thorney Bay Beach Camp as a low priced camp but with attractions and amenities of more highly-priced camps. With tremendous enthusiasm he threw himself heart and soul in to providing a working man's Riviera. Under his expert leadership the camp flourished and through the years tens of thousands of people have stayed there. At first it was limited to camping and chalets but with the vast growth of caravans and trailers. He was able to increase the already considerable area of the camp and now it is a miniature town whose lights, winter and summer, stream out. Ideally situated close to the seawall and beaches it is known to many throughout the world. |
Through his dynamic leadership the Island's population was more then doubled in a few years and he was instrumental in attracting more industry, shops, and houses to the Island. |