Bill Meroy Creek facts for kids

Bill Meroy Creek is a small waterway, like a mini-river, that flows into the bigger River Thames. It's located east of Tilbury Fort in West Tilbury, England. For many years, starting in 1851, this creek was an important marker. It showed the eastern edge of an area where people had to pay a special tax on coal that was brought into London.

Where is Bill Meroy Creek?

Bill Meroy Creek is found just to the east of Tilbury Fort. This area is part of West Tilbury, which is within the Thurrock area.

What's in a Name?

The name Bill Meroy Creek comes from an older name, William Millroy. He was a farmer who raised cattle back in the 1700s. Over time, his name changed a bit to become "Bill Meroy."

The creek has also been called other names, like Bilmaroy Creek and Billmarry Creek. On some maps, you might even see it named Ordnance Creek. Before all these names, it was known as Pincock's Creek.

The Coal Tax Story

For a very long time, coal sold in the City of London had a special tax on it. This tax started way back in medieval times.

Later, when canals and railways made it easier to move coal, the area where this tax applied became much larger. Bill Meroy Creek marked the eastern boundary of this tax zone on the north side of the River Thames.

To avoid paying the tax, some people set up places to unload coal just outside this tax boundary. One of these places became known as Coalhouse Point.

The Great Flood of 1953

Bill Meroy Creek played a part in a very serious event in 1953. During a big flood, the sea wall near the creek broke. This break allowed floodwaters to rush in and cover much of Tilbury Town.