Old Clem at Woolwich

On the evening of St Clement’s Day the blacksmiths’ apprentices of Woolwich dockyard chose one of their seniors to be Old Clem, in a greatcoat, a mask, an oakum wig and a long white beard. He was carried round the town in a decorated chair with a wooden anvil, tongs and hammer, attended by a masked mate, torches, banners and a drum and fife. At the public houses and at the houses of the dockyard officers Clem recited his speech and the money box went round. The takings paid for a supper.