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.
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.
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 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.
