A Tramp's Life

Last alive in 1946, not many days or weeks pass without, in some context or other, without mention of the name Tramp Dick.

News of his death was featured in the Herts Advertiser in the issue of 15th March 1946, with the sub-title, "Death of a St Albans Recluse".  Most people who have lived most of their lives on the eastern side of St Albans, and who were born before WW2, will have a story to tell about this vagrant.  But if you were born in the 1940s or 50s you are more likely to have known someone quite different – with a trench coat, beard, swept-back hair and big army boots.  So, wasn't that Tramp Dick?  Well, no, but many children at the time, including me, called him Tramp Dick anyway, having picked up the name from our parents.  And he occupied the same corrugated iron hut in Jersey Lane, used by his namesake.

Another confusion: Tramp Dick – the real one – wasn't thought to be Richard at all, but Thomas, or Tom.  Tom Whiting.  But he had a brother called Richard.  Richard Whiting was the manager of the Gaumont Cinema, formerly in Stanhope Road.

Tom Whiting, aka Tramp Dick, sitting on a wall in Fleetville.  Are
there any other photos of him?

We make judgements about people all the time; it was just the same with Tramp Dick.  It comes as a surprise to many who knew something about him, to learn that he was intelligent, and although he liked to keep himself to himself, he could contribute confidently to conversations.  As to why he chose the open air life of a vagrant there is no firm evidence.  The legend has it his life collapsed after the breakup of a relationship with a young lady many years previously, but as with most legends the evidence is in short supply.

He was also said to have received an allowance, but who from, no-one is quite sure. But he was able to pay for his everyday necessities.  Since 1939 he had his own ID card and ration book, kept for him at a shop in Fleetville.  His income, other than any allowance, came from casual work on farms or from selling flowers or berries – which also earned him the sobriquet Blackberry Jack, even though his name wasn't Jack either.  Of course, it is possible that name  really belonged to someone else.

One fact is certain, according to those who knew him: he did not beg.  If he was given an item, a coin or some food, Tom would ensure he repaid the favour.  A very moral tramp.

Tom was found at home (Jersey Lane) by a resident of Long Acres.  He was thought to be 68 year old.  After a simple funeral, he was buried at Hatfield Road cemetery.