Bob Hubbuck has provided this photo (which was sepia originally), he says 'the name on the board outside says the Watermans Arms R Hubbuck. Crowley & Cos Alton Ales'. Robert Hubbuck is standing in the doorway. It was a boarding house as well as a beerhouse and next door was a butcher.

'I would say its late 1800 or early 1900. I am a descendant of a Robert Hubbuck from the Ham, he sold books and lived late 1700 into the mid 1800, he had sons two were named Robert the first died aged 10 years old hence the second Robert. My grandfather was also a Robert Hubbuck, he lived at 2 Ferry Square, he was a fireman at Brentford. His father was William. My father's name was Ronald Hubbuck.'

The Waterman's Arms was at 179 High Street (and was one of three pubs with similar names in the area). I checked various trade directories (1874, 1878, 1882, 1898, 1907 and 1911) to try and pin down the date of the photo when Robert Hubbuck kept this beerhouse, but was unable to find a reference.

Enamel advertising signs on the pub wall may help with dating: 'Referee', 'Weekly Times', 'The People', 'News of the World', 'Daily News' and 'Lloyds News'. The 'Daily News' merged with the 'Morning Leader' in 1912 and the latter's name continued.

The licence of the Waterman's Arms was transferred from Charles Spencer Nelms to Walter Henry Hubbuck in November 1891 (see list of licence transfers); presumably Robert was related to Walter.

Finally, if anyone can help with removing spots from photos, please get in touch!.

The other Waterman's Arms

There was also a Waterman's Hall at 5, Catherine Wheel Yard (off the south side of the High Street in New Brentford) run by Edward Tidey in 1871 and 1881. Vic Rosewarne has researched the history of this establishment.

And finally a Watermans Arms at 1 Ferry Lane, Old Brentford (in existence by 1751 (B)). Charles Webb was the landlord in 1895.

Published February 2010; updated July 2018