Our Curating for Change Fellow at Chatham Dockyard, Suchi Chatterjee, tells the story of Alfie Merryweather, and working with the Disability History Focus Group to tell his story.
Who was Alfie Merryweather?
Until recently, a full-length portrait painting of James “Alfie” Merryweather (c.1930), had been exhibited in the Steel, Steam and Submarines gallery at Chatham Dockyard. Alfie is depicted in the painting as a man of noticeably short stature standing upright and looking sideways on. He is clad in a yellow oilskin waterproof jacket, a pair of heavy-duty trousers and worn work boots, suited to outside working conditions. He has a well-trimmed beard and moustache and is standing on a wooden box whilst holding a paintbrush.
Alfie’s short stature is interesting due to his physical role at the Dockyard as a ship painter’s assistant. Our research into Alfie’s life and upbringing, has led us to believe that Alfie’s short stature in adulthood was most likely attributed to childhood malnutrition. He was born in exceptionally impoverished circumstances.
The portrait of Alfie Merryweather was completed around 1930 by local artist P.V. Jarvis – appointed by the Dockyard as Inspector of Painters. Jarvis was an amateur artist, but a gifted one. Throughout his painting career (1930 – 1948) Jarvis specialised in painting senior officials linked to the Dockyard’s Ship Painting Department. Alfie was not a senior official and therefore not a typical subject matter for Jarvis to paint.
Why Alfie’s story matters
We were intrigued by the question – why did Jarvis choose to paint Alfie Merryweather? Through our research and interpretation of the painting, it may be that Jarvis was drawn to Alfie’s skill as a ship’s painter, and the fact he didn’t let his physical stature get in the way of his working life.
As part of the Curating for Change project, a Disability Heritage Focus Group has been formed at Chatham Dockyard. The group, consisting of volunteer researchers, have spent the past 12 months uncovering and exploring disability histories within our collections.
One of the researchers, Zara, took a personal interest in researching the painting of Alfie due to her own lived experience as a disabled person. In some ways, in looking at Alfie, Zara was able to look into herself. Zara said she instantly felt a connection with Alfie after seeing the painting for the first time. Zara’s response to the painting was that Alfie “seemed so determined…” unashamedly poised whilst standing on a box to afford him more height.
Reinterpreting collections at Chatham Dockyard
Researchers such as Zara, are continuing to curate items in our collections that enable audiences to understand historic perceptions and attitudes towards disability. Some of the objects within our collections symbolise the challenges faced for disabled naval workers. Also, the evolving role of Royal Navy support from the mid 16 century to 1984. The history of Alfie Merryweather is intended to be one of the many stops along a Disability Trailblazers exhibit currently being developed at the Historic Dockyard Chatham. Alfie’s story stands shoulder to shoulder with the hidden stories of notable figures such as Admiral Horatio Nelson and Billy Waters.
