Photo above taken shortly before demolition, circa 1968, with the opposite side of the street already gone. Some builders’ equipment stands outside the General Havelock.
Like many pubs of this period, the General Havelock took its name from a someone considered a hero of the Indian rebellion of 1857, where he died after the uprising had been quelled.
The pub possibly came into being shortly after this date, although (JR) has the beerhouse run by George Grange in 1840. This is yet to be confirmed. 1846 Jeremiah Herbert was licensee, John Smith 1854.
In August 1859, one Mr Baines, manufacturer, entertained his workmen at the General Havelock to a meal of ‘good old English fare’ after which the workforce drank and sang to the health of the employer’s family, with great applause. The newspaper report went on to say that this showed the best feelings that existed between them and their employer. Kirby Freer was victualler at the time.
1861 The Gen Havelock obtained a full licence. 1870 Edward Barsby would buy the pub installing himself as licensee. 1875 Wm Richmond held the licence. Albert Henry Hunt 1887. Benjamin Walker 1888. Charles Walker 1889. Richard Pick 1892.
As with the other pubs on Mill Lane, many inquests were held here, a considerable amount being for drowning in the nearby river, such as a thirteen-year old boy found drowned at ‘twelve bridges’. His friend called the police after he fell in the water but when the PC arrived only the boys hat could be seen on the bank. A dredging kit was used to find the boy, then take him to the General Havelock, where a surgeon was called.
The General Havelock was one of a number of pubs in Leicester owned by John Bell & Co Ltd brewery of Burton (bought c1896) prior to Salts of Burton in 1902 Salts were a major Burton Brewer, much of their production at one time went to London’s St Pancras area. Salts were taken over by Bass in 1927.
Wm Jordan was landlord 1896. He was there at the time of Thomas Salts takeover. 1909 James Hyde came in. Samuel Balard or Bailie (looks like) c1917, he was listed as deceased. Wm Glover 1914, followed. George Fox c1916. Stanley Hill 1920. (the writing in the register is almost illegible in this period so apologies for any names miss spelt)
Harry Burton 1926 licensee. James Wm Mason 1929, Wm Henry Green 1930. George Spooner c1935 and Charles Clarke 1939. Charles was still here in the 1950s.
Claude Shepherd and wife Myra would run the General Havelock during the 1960s, Claude died in the October of 1967. Within a few years c1970 the pub was demolished for the new Campus.
