The very last "time gentlemen please" was called at 00.30 on the 1st January 1968. The Magnet then closed and was demolished to make way for the Bricklayers Arms Flyover.
I believe the licence was held by a Mr. D. Greenway at the time. **
Southwark St George Martyr index
A listing of historical London public houses, Taverns, Inns, Beer Houses and Hotels in Southwark St George Martyr, Surrey, London.
Residents at this address.
1869/Henry Saunders/beer retailer/../../Post Office Directory *
1881/Charles Martin/Licensed Victualler/35/Hertford/Census
1881/Clara Martin/Wife/35/Finsbury/Census
1881/Clara Martin/Daughter/17/Lambeth/Census
1881/Ellen Martin/Daughter/15/Lambeth/Census
1881/Grace Martin/Daughter/12/Lambeth/Census
1881/Edith Martin/Daughter/10/Lambeth/Census
1881/Jessie Martin/Daughter/8/St George Southwark/Census
1881/Charles Martin/Son/5/St George Southwark/Census
1881/Vincent Martin/Son/12 months/St George Southwark/Census
1882/Charles Archer Martin/Beer Retailer/../../Post Office Directory
1891/Henry Smith/Beer Retailer/../../Post Office Directory
1895/Edwin John King/beer retailer/../../Post Office Directory *
1899/Edwin John King/Beer Retailer/../../Post Office Directory
1901/Edwin John King/Beer House Keeper/36/Donhead, Wiltshire/Census
1901/Ann King/Wife/36/Ibstock, Leicestershire/Census
1901/Mary C King/Daughter/9/Westminster, London/Census
1901/Annie E King/Daughter/7/St George the Martyr, London/Census
1901/Edwin T King/Son/3/St George the Martyr, London/Census
1901/John Wilson/Barman/21/Pimlico, London/Census
1901/Alice Baldwin/Cook/22/Walworth, London/Census
1910/Mrs Ann King/Beer Retailer/../../Post Office Directory
1911/William Arthur Ryall/Beer House Keeper/45/Clerkenwell/Census
1911/Martha Caroline Ryall/Wife, Assistant/42/Marylebone/Census
1911/William Alexander Ryall/Son, Bioscope Operator/21/Wandsworth/Census
1911/Caroline Elizabeth Ryall/Daughter, Dressmaker/20/Wandsworth/Census
1911/Florence Amelia Ryall/Daughter, Assistant/18/Wandsworth/Census
1911/Mabel Ryall/Daughter, Assistant/16/Wandsworth/Census
1911/Sarah Ann Ryall/Daughter, Shorthand Typewriter/14/Wandsworth/Census
1911/Arthur Ryall/Son/13/Wandsworth/Census
1911/Winifred Ryall/Daughter/9/Wandsworth/Census
1911/James Amner/Potman & Barman/25/Lambeth/Census
1914/William Arthur Ryall/Beer Retailer/../../Post Office Directory
1915/William Arthur Ryall/beer retailer/../../Post Office Directory *
1921/William Arthur Ryall/beer retailer/../../Post Office Directory *
1934/Edwin Aug Jobard/Beer Retailer/../../Kellys Directory
1938/William John Compton/beer retailer/../../Post Office Directory *
The 1939 electoral register of 64-68 Old Kent Road, Bermondsey, Southwark lists
William J Compton, Licensed Victualler (Master), born 18 Jul 1874
Clara ACompton, Licensed Victualler (Mistress), born 10 Jan 1880
Frederick W Compton, Licensed Victualler Bar Manager, born 05 Sep 1906
Blanche R (Rita Blanche) Compton, Licensed Victualler Bar Manageress, born 02 Jan 1911
Matilda Sholl, Cook, born 01 Apr 1885
Reinhold Sholl, Mantle Making, born 29 Mar 1873
South London Observer 02 June 1939
Publican assaulted,
At Lambeth police court, on Whit Monday, John Whiffing, 26, labourer, Ellis house, East street, Walworth, was charged with assaulting William Compton, licensee, at the Magnet, Old Kent road, on Saturday, by striking him on the face with his fist.
A police officer stated that because Mr Compton refused to serve Whiffing, the latter lifted a flap in the counter and struck him two blows on the face. Whiffing said he used the flat of his hand. In court Whiffing "apologised for striking an elderly man", Fined £1, or 14 days.
Shepton Mallet Journal 15 January 1965
The day she met the King
Congratulations to the grand old lady of the licensing trade, Mrs C A Compton of the Wine Vaults, High street, Shepton Mallet, who celebrated her 85th birthday on Sunday.
It was perhaps natural since she was going to pend a life time in the licensing and catering trade that she should be born in a pub, the Bricklayers Arms, Crowborough, Sussex.
The Bricklayers Arms was built by her father, who was the licensee, the late Mr Frederick Novis.
Mrs Compton went to live with an aunt in Brighton after her parents died and later entered the licensing trade as a barmaid in Brighton, later going to London.
In 1901 she married Mr William John Compton at Ashwick Parish church and she and her husband were connected with some 15 licensed houses in all parts of London, although never in the East End area. Mr Compton died 14 years ago.
Mrs Compton has a wonderful memory for her age and when I called to see her she related happenings in London years ago, as though they were episodes of last week.
"I can remember when beer was twopence a pint and for the same amount you could buy a packet of cigarettes, or a tot of whiskey".
During the war years the family were bombed out of the Magnet in the Old Kent road.
It was at this time of the blitz that Mrs Compton met the late King George VI and Sir Winston Churchill.
Her son, Mr Fred Compton, who is at present licence holder of the Wine Vaults, was in the Metropolitan Police at the time and he told his mother the King was com ing up the road by car.
"I went across the road and spoke to the King about the war," saud Mrs Compton.
Later she saw a man walking ahead of some people and he was smoking a cigar, It turnes out to be Sir Winston Churchill.
She spoke to him of the bombing the previous night before he continued inspecting the blitz damage.
"Ever since then I have always written to Sir Winston on his birthday and he has duly acknowledged my greetings, " she said.
From being bombed out in London the comptons came to Somerset in 1941 and Mrs Compton's daughter, Rita held the licence of the Bell Hotel in the Market place.
Then they moved to the Plough near Bridgwater where Fred had the licence, later returning to Shepton Mallet to the Vaults.
Mrs Compton ws one of the first organisers of the Women's Auxiliary Trade Protection League.
1944/Henry Jas Oliver/Beer Retailer/../../Post Office Directory
* Provided By Ewan
** Provided By Roger Crout