Biography:
1. William Sykes, originally trained as a "Taylor" was appointed as a Millman on the 1st October 1812 ((Supply 5/232). His position as a Millman in June 1813 was confrmed in Winters.
2. He was still a Millman in February 1814 earning 3/11d per day, and, in addition, was paid 6d per night when working extra (Supply 5/230).
3. According to a List dated the 28th August 1818 of those employees to be retained between the 3rd September and the 31st December 1818, William Sykes was a Salpetre Refiner with his pay reduced to 2/-d per day (Supply 5/231).
4. Supply 5/231 dated the 19th May 1819, recorded that William Sykes was then employed as Brimstone Refiner, that he was a married man, aged 42, with no children who lived in Waltham Abbey. He was paid 2/4d per day, and was allowed to watch in turn, for which he received
1/-d per night. He had previously been employed as a Tailor.
5. List of Officers on Employment dated 13th September 1820 (Supply 5/232) recorded that Mr. Sykes was 43, still lived in Waltham Abbey and still earned 2/0d per day, but that he was then in receipt of 1/6d per night when allowed to watch.
6. List of Employees dated the 9th April 1821 (Supply 5/232) confirmed that William was still 43 and employed as a Saltpetre Refiner; but that he was then paid 2/4d per day; all other entries remained the same.
7. List of Employees at the Royal Powder Mills (Supply 5/232 dated 23rd January 1822) gave the age of William, Saltpetre Refiner, as 45, with nearly 10 years' service and pay per day of 2/4d.
8. Return dated 6th February 1822 (Supply 5/232) showed length of service and other full details of those persons employed by the Ordnance at Waltham Abbey as at the 31st December 1821. This appeared to be a more detailed and accurate Return than that of the 23rd January 1822, and recorded that William Sykes, Saltpetre Refiner, was appointed a Millman at Waltham Abbey on the 1st October 1812, and that by Orders of the Board dated 4th September 1818 and the 4th October 1819, as a Saltpetre Refiner with annual pay of £36.10.4d, and he was not allowed to watch. According to this Return, at 31st December 1821 he had nearly 10 years' service, was 45 years old, was married with no children and lived in Waltham Abbey. It also confirmed that he was originally trained as a "Taylor".
9. In the Spring of 1822, the Ordnance Board decided to reduce the production and regeneration of gunpowder. Accordingly, Empson Middleton and James Wright drew up a list of people to be dismissed (Supply 5/232 dated the 21st March, 1822) which included William Sykes. The men were subsequently dismissed on the 1st June, and several Petitions were submitted by the men asking for financial assistance. Many were long-service employees in their middle age and they pointed out that they had little hope of finding employment after the hay and corn harvest had been gathered.
The Storekeeper at Waltham was sympathetic and forwarded their Petitions to the Board for its consideration. William Sykes does not appear to have signed a petition, but the Storekeeper wrote to the Board on the 21st July 1822, recommending that he received two weeks' pay to ease his financial hardships. The Board's response, however, is not recorded.
