Herbert Leslie Brindle

The Forgotten Victim

Herbert Brindle in his early years

We think of the victims of the flood as the official list of names on the plaque outside the library, the people that died on 1st February 1953. What about the forgotten victims those who suffered and died days or weeks after the event? This is the story of one of those victims, Herbert Leslie Brindle.

Herbert was born in South London in 1895 eldest son of Thomas and Emma Brindle. He married his wife Florence in 1920. It is thought the family came to Canvey around about 1942/3. Herbert’s father and second wife Louisa also moved to the island, where they lived at ‘Comara’ in Van Diemens Pass. Thomas died in 1952.

At the time of the floods Herbert lived at ‘Winsome’, St Anne’s Road and following in his father’s footsteps he was working as a postman. Although he was not in very good health, when it came time to evacuate the family from the island Herbert had to carry his wife and one of his daughters to the top of the road. His other daughter Pam was living away at the time but she says “My Sister said they managed to get on a bus, however, when they got to Benfleet she was very frightened because you could not see the Bridge (the old one) only water. They were taken to a School first and then taken to a family in Rayleigh. I came down from Hornchurch, to find them, (no Mobile Phones in those days). However, no one was being allowed on the Island (only Press) I suppose because of pilfering!!!”

Pam also told us that Herbert’s sister-in-law Sheila Brindle (nee Nightingale of Nightingale Stores family) transported people to Barking.

Herbert and family were eventually evacuated to 1 Lodge Close in Rayleigh with “a wonderful family”.  Unfortunately the whole event must have taken quite a toll on Herbert because on the 16th February, aged 58 he was found dead on the floor of bathroom by the 7 year old son of the family where he was staying.

Although he did not die in the flood he is still one of its victims. He is buried in Jotman’s Lane Cemetery. How many other forgotten victims are there. If you have a story to tell please upload it to the site or contact us so no-one is forgotten.

Comments about this page

  • My Name at the time of the floods was Wendy Brindle. I was adopted as a baby by Herbert and Florence Brindle and survived the 1953 floods. I still remember looking out of our window on that aweful morning on a clear moon shining down on the water and running to tell my mum what I’d seen. I was 6 years old. I remember being taken by bus off the island to a school in Benfleet and then to a family in Rayleigh who I’m eternally grateful for all they did for us. Unfortunately my father passed away while we were at that house and it must of been a terrible shock for their young boy to find my father had passed away in his home. Poor dad was laid to rest at jotmans cemetery as we weren’t allowed to have him put to rest on Canvey. My thoughts and prayers go to all those who lost loved ones. We survived but our memories of our loved ones never fade.

    By Wendy Day nee Brindle (29/01/2022)
  • My great grandfather was thomas herbert brindle, his daughter was edith brindle and I am her granddaughter. My Auntie grace and her son steven lived in canvey Island. Does anyone know anymore.

    By jeanette hammond (07/05/2023)
  • In Dec 1952, a B.BRINDLE had planning approved for a house in Cleveland Ave.

    By Martin Lepley (07/05/2023)

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