Campbell the Guide

Alfred Campbell was often described as "guide of Jersey" (see collar of uniform) as he was a tour guide of the island during the 19th century, accompanying holidaymakers' excursions on horse-drawn charabancs. He was especially popular as he would entertain the visitors with his singing.

This photograph of Alfred was taken during the 1870s or 1880s since he had left Jersey by 1890. On the reverse, the border has printed "T. Price, 2 Peter St., Jersey" (Thomas Price had a photographic studio at that address) and hand-written in the centre is "J. Steeley, 55 Ingleby St". This turned out to be a Joseph Steely, a shopkeeper of 55 Ingleby St., Birmingham during 1872–1878. This dates the picture to 1875–1878.

Joseph seems to have been a goldsmith, but also had musical connections. Harborne Herald, 20 April 1889, reported him being honary secretary of the Kings Heath Instituite Choral Society at their first meeting. A "Miss Steeley" regularly shows up in the area as a singer during 1886-87. Interestingly, their children's names are very similar, suggesting their connection goes back further: Joseph and Elizabeth Phillips: Ada (1863), Frank (64), Kate (64); Alfred and Eliza: Ada (75), Frank (76), Katie (68).

The charabanc is literally translated as 'carriage with benches' (from the French "char-à-banc"), and its pronunciation was gradually Anglicised to 'sharabang'. It was the forerunner of today's tourist coach. Men would wear suits and ladies would wear long dresses, but all would wear hats. In 1860, it was advertised that a 16-mile tour would cost one shilling.

In the August of 1883, a serious accident occurred with one of these Jersey charabancs. The following news report was from Jersey Independent and Daily Telegraph, 25 Aug 1883, p.6 ("An Excursion Drag Overturned at Mont Cambrai: Thirteen Persons Injured"). It mentions Campbell the guide being a distraction that prevented some passengers being involved.

We are informed that previous to the accident three passengers who were in one of the Royal Blue Carts preceding the drag, who had not heard the guide, Campbell, sing and were anxious to do so descended from their vehicle one of the gentlemen having dropped his cap,which caused the driver to pull up, and instead of remounting their car, they waited for the drag on which Campbell was.