The Hydrographer: The Clyde Steadman Story

By Jeff Hopkins

This is a fascinating prequel to Rocking Horse Rider. The book provides the back-stories of the complex characters in the later novel. Clyde Steadman, the youngest son of Sir Henry and Edith, Lady Steadman, is educated at Winchester College and the University College London and graduates as an outstanding geologist before making a harrowing voyage to Sydney, Australia, on board RMS ‘Osterley’.

A career with the New South Wales Department of Mines is interrupted when he is headhunted by William Summer-Hayes to undertake a mammoth project at ‘Summerhaven Park’ in the Hunter Valley. William’s marriage to Stephanie Hollanday creates a partnership that will ‘do whatever it takes’ to found a dynasty and a corporate empire.

A seemingly endless drought and an economic depression in Australia are the background for a story of triumph, disaster, love, loss and great engineering works and art creations. Characters, who are forebears of the people in Rocking Horse Rider, come alive and explain how and why their descendants have benefited and managed their legacies.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tellwell Talent
• Release date: Jul 5, 2017
• ISBN: 9781925666229

Jeff Hopkins

Jeff Hopkins (1950) is a retired schoolteacher. He lives in Walyalup, Western Australia. Walyalup which means 'lungs' is the Whadjuk name for Fremantle, and is part of the Noongar Nation. As the drama master at Hale School in Perth, he wrote ten original musical plays and produced and directed them at the school.In 1992, he researched and wrote a family history, 'Life's Race Well Run', and after retiring in 2006 he has written twenty novels, a memoir, and three 'faction' biographies.

Book preview

Chapter 1:

Clyde’s Birth 1901

Where Sir Henry’s youngest son is born and Lady Edith receives some unhappy news.

Clyde Steadman was born on the day Queen Victoria died. It was mid-morning on the 22nd of January 1901, when his first cries allowed the whole house to breathe a collective sigh of relief after an agonising and very long night. Edith, Lady Steadman, Clyde’s mother, had not had an easy time of it, but much to Doctor Devenish’s relief she had survived. When the midwife, who also attended Lady Edith, had washed and wrapped the new baby and the maids had cleared up the bed chamber to Doctor Devenish’s satisfaction, he wearily put on his coat, collected his bag and walked slowly down the stairs to the Hazeley House library where he found an apprehensive Sir Henry Steadman. The old friends stared at one another and then the Doctor announced:

It’s a boy!

And my wife?

Lady Edith has had a terrible time of it, Henry, but she has survived.

Thank God for that.

However, if I may humbly suggest, from a medical point of view, Lady Edith must not attempt to go through another pregnancy. It would virtually be dancing with death.

I see. So, Devenish, my family must end at seven children.

That is my professional opinion, Henry.

And I will respect it, Devenish.

I should hope so. I do not want to lose either of you as people, or as friends.

As always, Devenish, your word is my command.

If only that were true, Henry. Have you decided upon a name for the new boy?

Well, I have had all the choices for boys’ names so far, but Edith is keen on Clyde. It seems that ‘Clyde’ was the name of one of her favourite uncles whom I never met.

It is a good strong name. Well I must be on my way. It has been a long night and morning.

Thank you, Devenish. May I go up and see my wife and new son now?

Yes, everything is as it should be up there. I will wish you Good Morning and be very careful with Lady Edith’s health and welfare. She has had a rough time and is not a young woman anymore.

Thank you again, Devenish. I will. Good Morning.

Sir Henry didn’t exactly bound up the stairs, but he made the trip in a smarter time than he normally would. When he entered Lady Edith’s bedroom he found her looking tired and drawn, but she managed a smile for her husband. Sir Henry went across to his wife and kissed and congratulated her. Lady Edith said:

Doctor Devenish said this child must be my last.

He told me the same thing. You have done exceedingly well, Edith, with seven children born alive and all seemingly healthy.

You have three sons now, Henry, our long-term prospects are secure.

Indeed they are, my love. Now where is this new boy?

The Nursery maid lifted Clyde from his cradle and made ready to present him to his father. Sir Henry was quite comfortable with babies and he took his newborn son in his arms and cradled him confidently. The child slept on and did not stir.

He is a fine looking boy, Edith. What are you going to call him?

With your approval, Henry, I have my heart set on Clyde.

So let it be that way. You should have your heart’s desire. He shall be baptised as Clyde.

Lady Edith smiled warmly and beckoned for her husband to bring the child to her. She nursed him and smiled down at his peaceful little face.

A few days later Doctor Devenish called on Lady Edith to check on her progress and was astounded to find her propped up in bed breastfeeding young Clyde.

Would you like me to seek out a wet nurse for you, Lady Edith?

No, Doctor Devenish. I have managed to breastfeed the boy for three days now and I am quite enjoying the experience.

Did you breastfeed any of your other children, Lady Edith?

I tried with my first born, Harry, but it was not a success. I have not tried again until now, but as this is to be my last child, I am determined to enjoy the full experience.

Do you feel strong enough, Lady Edith?

I feel remarkably well, Doctor.

It was an extremely difficult birth. You had me worried there at stages.

So I am told.

After Lady Edith had completed the baby’s feed, Doctor Devenish did a full examination of her. He was surprised how well she had recovered from her ordeal, but he did offer a note of caution.

Well you seem to have made a remarkable recovery, but do not over extend yourself. If you find breastfeeding too taxing, I am sure I could secure a good wet nurse for you from the village.

Thank you Doctor Devenish, but for the moment I will carry on as I am.

Doctor Devenish reported all this to his friend, Sir Henry and the two men shared their surprise at Lady Edith’s return to health and her determination to be responsible for the feeding of the new baby.

It was not a one-day wonder. Within a week Lady Edith was up and about and resumed all her normal duties as well as maintaining the breastfeeding regime for her baby, Clyde. All the children were home except Henry, who the family called Harry. He was in his second year at Winchester College and had missed the birth of his youngest brother. Katherine, the eldest girl aged twelve years, took a particular interest in her newborn sibling and her mother encouraged her to watch and learn from all the things that were required with a new baby in the house. The younger girls treated the baby as little more than a new doll, while George, at age six years, showed little or no interest in the addition to the family.

As the country went through a period of mourning for the late Queen Victoria, Hazeley House was alive. An unusual winter chill could not dampen the spirits of the household who were enjoying the birth of a new baby and the surprising rebirth of Lady Edith who seemed to have gained a new lease on life.

Sir Henry’s mind turned to practical matters. In discussion with Lady Edith they decided that young Clyde should be baptised at St. Peter’s Church in Farnborough. There had been a church on the site of St Peter’s since Anglo-Saxon times, but the current building dated, in part, from the Norman period, around 1180. Major changes happened in the seventeenth century when the gallery was installed along with a screen separating the nave from the newly built ‘Lord’s Aisle’, a sort of private chapel for the Lord of the Manor and to the east of that a small chancel. The wooden framed tower was also built then and four of its eight bells dated back to the 1600’s, the earliest being from 1613. The rapid growth of Farnborough after the arrival of the army in Aldershot in the 1850s led to the next main developments. A new chancel was built in 1886 and in 1900, seating was increased by the addition of north and south transepts and a south aisle.

Sir Henry set out on horseback to ride to Farnborough and make the necessary arrangements for his newest son’s baptism. The date he had in mind was Sunday the 24th February 1901. He just hoped the worst of the winter weather would have passed by then. He met the Rector of St. Peter’s and the arrangements were made. The baptism would follow the regular Sunday morning service on the 24th February. Then Sir Henry headed to his solicitor’s in Farnborough, namely Richard Paulot, who had handled the Hazeley House estate’s legal matters for over two decades.

Sir Henry explained to Richard Paulot that he had been blessed with a third son and he wished to redraw his will to accommodate the new boy. The details would be much the same as all his previous wills. Lady Edith would be provided for and the estate would pass to his eldest son, Henry and then there would be a clear line of inheritance through the two other boys, George and now Clyde. A trust fund, which Sir Henry had set up when his first daughter, Katherine, was born, would be expanded. Four equal parts of the trust fund would be divided among his daughters when each of them reached the age of twenty-one years. If any were married, or died, before attaining that age, then the fund would be divided proportionally among the remaining daughters. Richard Paulot urged Sir Henry to increase the amount that he was putting aside each year into this trust fund so that each of his daughters would be well provided for in the future. Sir Henry agreed and Richard Paulot indicated he would draw up the new will and trust fund documents and present them to Sir Henry at Hazeley House in due course.

In the afternoon Sir Henry took tea at his favourite establishment and was reacquainted with Anne Cheverton who met him there. The young widow, Cheverton, had been Sir Henry’s mistress for several years and when he explained the circumstances of his new son’s birth and Doctor Devenish’s recommendations, Anne Cheverton suspected her role and involvement with Sir Henry was about to be expanded. As was his habit Sir Henry stayed overnight in Farnborough at Anne Cheverton’s house.

On his return to Hazeley House Sir Henry wrote to the new Headmaster at Winchester College, Mr. Hubert Murray Burge and requested that his eldest son, Henry, be given special leave to attend the baptism of his youngest brother and join in the celebrations at Hazeley House. Mr. Burge wrote a warm letter of congratulation to Sir Henry and Lady Edith on the birth of their third son and granted leave for Henry Steadman from Friday the 22nd February to Monday the 25th February 1901.

When Harry arrived back at Hazeley Hall he was welcomed warmly and the whole family was reunited. Harry, at age fourteen years, took a keen interest in his new sibling and Lady Edith was particularly pleased with his attentiveness to the new child. Accompanying his letter to the Headmaster, Sir Henry had sent his eldest son some extra funds, which Harry had used to buy a silver-christening cup for his brother. When he presented it to his mother, Lady Edith was moved to tears by the gesture. After the baptism, the cup was engraved with the details of Clyde’s birth and Harry’s details as the person who had given it to him. The cup became one of Clyde’s most treasured possessions.

On Friday night the 22nd February the whole family dined together and once again Lady Edith surprised everyone by having the newborn baby alongside her in a cradle at the dinner table. Sir Henry was quite taken with his wife’s new attitude and loved her even more, even though more children were out of the question. Harry told stories of his first year and a half at Winchester College and explained how he was enjoying both the academic and sporting life of the school. He stopped conversation at the table abruptly when he described his first beating at the College for misbehavior. His father looked at his eldest son sternly, but inwardly was content that Harry had endured what was a major ‘rite of passage’ in such an environment and was pleased that Harry seemed to hold no grudges or bitterness against those who had punished him. George listened to the story with a whole range of conflicted emotions.

On Sunday morning the family travelled in two carriages to St. Peter’s Church in Farnborough and attended morning service. It was a clear but very cold day. After the morning service the Rector baptised Clyde Edward Richard Steadman. A small group of St. Peter’s parishioners had remained behind to observe the baptism. Anne Cheverton was not among their number.

On Monday the 25th February Sir Henry and Lady Edith invited all the estate workers to a christening party that was held, during the afternoon, in the Great Hall at Hazeley House. Everyone came. Some brought small gifts for the new baby boy. These were often handcrafted items that the estate workers had made themselves. They were all accepted with grateful thanks. Many of the estate workers who had attended christening parties over the years were amazed to find Lady Edith nursing her newborn son, who was dressed in his baptismal robes from the previous day. No one could remember her doing this before with any of the other children. As word spread at the party that her Ladyship had eschewed a wet nurse for the boy and was breast feeding him, there were a number of varied reactions, but the general feeling was one of complete surprise.

During the afternoon festivities Sir Henry asked his eldest son, Harry, to join him in his study. Sir Henry sat behind his substantial desk and his fourteen-year-old son was made to stand in front of it. Harry assumed a deferential position with his hands behind his back. Sir Henry’s tone was serious:

Harry, I was concerned when you told the whole family, at dinner on Friday night, that you had been beaten at Winchester College for a misdemeanor.

Yes, Sir.

Was it just high spirits and sky-larking that earned you this punishment?

Yes, Sir.

I do not want this sort of thing to happen again, Harry. I send you to one of the Great Public Schools in the country to be well educated, but above all to learn self-discipline. Do I make myself clear?

Yes, Sir.

One day you will succeed me at Hazeley House and your responsibilities will be great. If you cannot manage yourself, how will you ever successfully manage this estate?

I will try and live up to your expectations, Sir.

Don’t just try to live up to them, Harry. Live up to them!

Yes, Sir.

That will be all. Now go and pack your things. The coach to take you to the station for your journey back to Winchester will leave at three o’clock. Make sure you farewell your mother and siblings properly before you take your leave.

Yes, Sir.

Harry, who was chastened and regretted that this interview with his father had been necessary, turned to leave the study when Sir Henry called him back.

Yes, Sir?

The christening cup for young Clyde was a kind and thoughtful gift. I know your mother appreciated it and so did I, Harry. Well done! Now be on your way.

It was dark not long after Harry’s coach left to take him to the station and with the fading light the guests took their leave of Sir Henry and Lady Edith. On their way home to their cottages most of the estate workers agreed that the new baby had brought a positive atmosphere and sense of purpose back to the estate and they had never seen Sir Henry and Lady Edith looking so happy and so well. The only regret they expressed was about the rumour that Lady Edith had been given medical advice not to have any more children, so this would be the last christening party at Hazeley that many would attend. As it transpired, it was the last christening party at Hazeley House that anyone would attend.

Chapter 2:

Clyde’s Siblings 1886–1898

Where two brothers and four sisters have preceded Clyde at Hazeley House.

Sir Henry Steadman inherited Hazeley House at the age of twenty-three years in 1883. He married Edith Meyers in 1885 and their first son, Henry Charles Arthur Steadman, who was always known as Harry in the family, was born a year later in 1886. In 1889 Katherine Edith was born and two years after that Jane Mary in 1891. A second son, George Phillip Michael was born in 1895 and Margaret Florence and Elizabeth Ann in 1896 and 1898 respectively. The family was completed by the arrival of Clyde Edward Richard in 1901.

Henry Charles Arthur Steadman was brought up with all the restrictions in place for a firstborn son and heir to a significant estate. Lady Edith tried only briefly to breast feed her son, but found the task difficult and a wet nurse was engaged to nurture the child in his early years. His early childhood was restricted to the nursery where the staff was quite strict with him following Sir Henry’s instructions to the letter. He was tutored by a series of governesses who made stringent demands upon the little boy and did not give him the space or time to develop his own imagination. Harry got the classic late Victorian education at home and was little trouble to anyone who dealt with him.

At age eleven he sat the entrance examination for Winchester College and was accepted into the school in 1899 as a thirteen-year-old. Henry Steadman was placed in Hawkins’ House, which was known by its informal name of ‘Chawker’s’; he had become a ‘Chawkerite’. Later George and Clyde would follow Henry into ‘Chawker’s’. He stayed at Winchester for five years and graduated successfully if not spectacularly. His father secured him a commission in the Royal Hampshire Regiment in the year after he left school in 1906. Henry was in the First Battalion of the Regiment and had a solid career in the army and was in his eighth year of service when the First World War broke out in 1914.

Henry’s war service was extensive and intense. In August 1914 his Regiment was stationed at Colchester as part of the 11th Brigade of the 4th Division and at the outbreak of war then moved to Harrow. Within three weeks they were mobilised for war and landed at Havre and the Division engaged in various actions on the Western Front including: during 1914 The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, and The Battle of Messines. In December 1914 Henry’s Battalion took part in the Christmas Truce. During 1915 they were involved in The Second Battle of Ypres and in 1916: The Battle of Alfred and The Battle of Le Transloy. It was in this last battle that Henry Steadman was killed in action. He was buried in France. His death broke Lady Edith’s heart and Sir Henry was never the same person after the news of his eldest son’s demise was delivered to him.

Katherine Edith Steadman was Clyde’s oldest sister. She was born in the spring of 1889. Like all the Steadman girls she was plain in appearance. She was three years younger than Henry and from the time she was born he treated her wonderfully. Sir Henry warned his eldest son not to encourage Katherine to be a ‘tom boy’ and so he always encouraged her in strictly ‘little girl’ pursuits. From an early age Katherine showed an aptitude for music and she was taught how to play the piano and showed the potential of having a sweet singing voice.

However, it was when Katherine began to draw that she really came into her own. She had a wonderful eye for natural forms and the detail they incorporated. Her Nursery Governess alerted Sir Henry to her potential and he provided the resources for her to blossom as a young artist. Sir Henry did not believe in sending girls away to school so Katherine was tutored at home. Added to her musical and artistic talents was her penchant for writing stories.