Sydenham Snow
Sydenham Snow was a Revenue man and leader
of the local coastal blockade. He is buried in Herne churchyard . There are a
number of different written accounts of how he met his death at the hands of
the North Kent gang and this poem is based on one popular version.
This is a smuggling tale from 1821
The North Kent gang on an Easter run.
Unloading cargo on a ghostly night,
smugglers looked a fearsome sight.
The contraband had just been laid.
“Hold” he cried from the shore blockade.
Brave Sydenham Snow
That night he met a ruthless foe,
Hear his story, it’s a tale of woe.
His gun misfired, he went for his knife,
A mistake that cost him his life.
He charged, boots crunching the stones,
Two pistol shots smashed into his bones.
Blood was spilt that night on Herne Bay beach.
Well-armed smugglers stayed out of reach.
Bold Sydenham Snow,
Did he see, did he know
The one who laid him low?
On the shore they saw him lie,
With fatal wounds to chest and thigh.
They bore him bleeding to an Inn we know;
A naval surgeon tried to staunch the flow
Though he died in the Ship the following day,
Several smuggler names he gave away.
To Herne his body was then to go,
Where his grave is still on show.
Poor Sydenham Snow !