Wet Dock Tavern

South Gates Road

By Ann Ratcliffe

The Wet Dock Tavern was located at 14, South Gates Road, Gt. Yarmouth. It was a Lacons Brewery beerhouse, the first licence was granted in 1886 to T. Betts. George Barrett had taken over by 1890. He was there until 1908 when my grandfather Ernest Barrett took the licence which he held until 1924 except during 1918 - 1919 when my grandmother ran the place whilst Ernest was fighting in the Royal Navy. The pub closed for good in 1939 and was demolished many years later. During the herring fishing season Ernest ran a beer tent on the quay nearby and no doubt he did a roaring trade with thirsty fishermen and women. The photos. show Ernest Barrett inside the tavern. The other photo shows the Beer Tent and all the workers with Ernest in the middle.
My grandfather went to Yarmouth Grammar School for boys and he won a bound copy of the Boys Own Annual for being the most popular boy in the school. He went to serve in the South African wars with the Rifle Brigade and came home with his tin of chocolate still intact. I have got it stored away along with his medals which I am very proud of.