The following is an article from Newsletter No. 3 by John Adrian.

"What The Papers Said"

As a "Friend" you will know that the Order was founded in 1889. What isn't so well known is the fact that following the First World War and due to the economic and social problems of the 1920's the Order was disbanded from April 1922 until it's reformation in April 1928.

One of our greatest regrets is the fact that "all the Minute Books and other documents relating to the Old Order were destroyed at the time of disbandment." Happily we do still possess an excise book containing Scribe Rat Wal Pink's handwritten Minutes from the official first meeting on 11th April 1890 and subsequent meeting until 15th May 1892. We still have a photocopies of "The History of the Water Rats" written in 1947 by Past King Rat Fred Russell (known affectionately by the members as 'Uncle Fred').

It is, therefore, only in the 'trade' newspapers of the day that it is possible to find detailed reports of the Water Rats activities during those early years. The most valuable of these papers is "The Performer" -"The Official Organ of the Variety Artistes Federation...The Music Hall Artistes Railway Association...The London Meeting of the International Artistes Lodge & Various Music Hall Societies." The Performer was founded by Uncle Fred who, before he became a renowned ventriloquist, was a journalist. It was a 'weekly' and ran from 1906 until 1957 and is a mine of information.

The Rat's home from 1901 was The Vaudeville Club at 98 Charing Cross Road. (The Club later moved round the corner to 6 New Compton Street). It was from this building that the members were the driving force behind the formation of The Variety Artistes Federation (V.A.F.) and most of the organisations mentioned above. The V.A.F, was to be the main association for members of the Music Hall and Variety profession until it amalgamated with British Actors Equity in 1957. It campaigned for better working conditions for its members and lead the fight against the all-powerful Theatre Managers in the famous "Music Hall Strike" of 1907. Naturally the V.A.F. needed 'a voice' and that is why "The Performer" was founded.

Sometimes the Order was the unwitting catalyst behind the formation of other theatrical charities. "The membership of the Order was at first limited, to a dozen members and shortly thereafter increased to twenty. The list had been filled when Joe Lawrence, the father of Vesta Victoria, and one or two other artistes expressed a desire to join. It was with regret that Joe Elvin [our founder] explained that the limit had been reached and it was therefore impossible to accept further applications for membership. Disappointed and somewhat chagrined, Joe Lawrence and his friends decided to found a rival organisation, which they named "The Terriers Association". This was in May 1890. Some years later they changed their name to the "Beneficent Order of Terriers". Their meeting place was the "White Bear Hotel, in Lisle Street, near the London Hippodrome. It is strange how many societies of the time held their meeting in public houses! At its inception the Water Rats home was in "The White Horse" in Brixton Road. The White Bear and the White Horse are still pubs, but both renamed.

Right from the earliest days the Rats organised outings, especially on Good Fridays. One of their early favourites was to the Polehill Arms in Sevenoaks, Kent. They also had an annual Boat Trip - usually on the Thames. This tradition continues today, usually on the Sunday nearest to the August Bank Holiday. In "The Era", another theatrical newspaper, there is a report of the first "outing" on Good Friday 1890. The Water Rats "were driven to "the Magpie" Hotel, Sunbury on Thames, on the 'Tantivy' coach, the ribbons [reins] being admirably handled by W. Clarke Esq. A Steam launch next took the 'Rats' up river [to] the Pack House, Staines. They returned to The Magpie, where justice was done to a substantial dinner. The coach brought them back to The Canterbury [Music Hall] after a glorious day." The Boat Trips weren't always as sedate as that report suggests. There was an occasion when the Rats Boat passed another pleasure boat on which the "Queen of the Music Halls" Marie Lloyd was causing quite a rumpus much to the annoyance or merriment, according to the attitude, of neighbouring boats.

As you know the originator of the Order was the pony Magpie. The only report of one of his races that I have come across was in The Era. "The trotting match between the ponies Water-Rat and Boneyard, respectively belong to the 'Rats' and 'Terriers', which was to have taken place on the Mitcham Road on Sunday, was stopped by the police, and has been declared off by mutual consent" That day Magpie didn't earn us any coins for our coffers - or for his keep! His stable was in De Laune Street, Kennington.

The Rats even held football matches - " the Rats play in costume, the Blondin Donkey and Clown, being the Brother Griffiths; Dan Leno, policeman, in goal. Fred Harvey, as King Richard the third will fight Joe Elvin as a Highlander." This sort of fun can still be seen, occasionally, with Jess Conrad's celebrity XI.

If the Editor of this Newsletter, PKR Keith, hears from even one Friend, I'll be back with more "What the Papers Said" about the Water Rats.

Yours historically,

John Adrian

If you are interested in becoming a Friend of The Water Rats please send a cheque to:

Al Lampert (Administrator), GOWR, 328 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8BZ

Please be sure to mark your envelope 'FRIENDS'.

To download an application form click here.

For all their sterling work for the Rats, 'Friends' No 001, Anna Thomas and Michael Ralph of the Michael Ralph Consultancy were presented with our first 'Best Friends' Award by King Rat for 2002, Keith Simmons.

Michael and Anna have worked closely with Keith to get this web site up and running in order to bring the Grand Order of Water Rats to a wider audience.

The 'Best Friends' Award is presented annually at the Ball to a 'Friends' member who helps us during the year in a significant way.

To see more photographs from the 2002 Ball click here

Luke Baxter, who with his wife Jo, is 'Friends' Member No 93, ran in the Hastings Half Marathon in 2003 and raised £800 for our funds. Well done Luke! That t-shirt was made by Jo to tell the world (well Hastings anyway) that he was running for the Rats. Those of you who attended the Ball in 2002 will remember Luke as the Panto King Rat who challenged our own King Rat for 2002 Keith Simmons and Fran, as to who should be looked upon as the true King!

Past King Rat Keith Simmons joins King Rat Chas McDevitt to present the 2004 'Best Friend Award' to Ian McCreedie (Friend number 95).

This award is given each year to one of the 'Friends' for outstanding contribution to The Grand Order of Water Rats cause.

To see more photographs from the Grand Order of Water Rats Ball 2004 click here

2004 Ball News..

'At the Grand Order of Water Rats 2004 Ball, 'Friend' 007 - John Brown assists Jamie Crompton (A&R Executive of Fender Guitars) in presenting King Rat Chas McDevitt with a replica of his 1959 'Stratocaster'. To see more photographs from the 2004 Ball click here