Joey the Cockatoo: The Feathered Hero of Amersham’s Crown Hotel Fire
Forget foul-mouthed parrots terrorizing pub-goers; we're here to talk about a true avian hero! Meet Joey, the sulphur-crested cockatoo who, unlike London’s infamous Polly, used his voice for an incredibly noble cause: saving lives. To discover his tale, you’ll need to venture to Amersham, right at the very end of the Met line, where a historical hotel fire unfolded in 1935.
It was a chilly 4:30 AM on December 14th when a blaze erupted in the Crown Hotel’s lounge. No guests were present, but several staff members were sound asleep. Enter Joey, the landlord’s ancient cockatoo, whose ear-splitting screeches became the ultimate fire alarm. His cries jolted chef Mr. Rochester awake, who heroically rescued two maids from an upstairs window, while manageress Mrs. Horner sprinted barefoot to alert the fire brigade superintendent. Joey, having done his part, flew to safety. Tragically, two of the landlord’s cats, including a beloved Persian said to be Joey’s “inseparable companion,” perished in the inferno. Thankfully, all human lives were saved, and the Crown Hotel, though damaged, was eventually restored.
Joey, the feathered lifesaver, lived on for a few more years, reportedly reaching the grand old age of 118. Following his passing, he received a similar honor to Polly, being stuffed and displayed above the hotel bar for many years before finding his permanent home at the Amersham Museum. Now, a little secret: a week after the fire, Mrs. Horner reportedly claimed she was woken by crackling flames, not Joey. But honestly, why let a minor detail ruin such a fantastic story of a heroic bird?
Beyond Joey, Amersham Museum offers fascinating exhibits on “Metroland,” charting the area’s transformation into sunlit suburbs. The quaint charm of Amersham Old Town, a delightful pastoral stroll from the Tube, makes for an uncomplicated day trip. And while you’re there, don’t miss the Amersham Fair Organ Museum’s bewitching self-playing instruments. It seems everything in Amersham errs delightfully towards the quaint, making Joey’s heroic tale even more enchanting.
While Joey's heroic tale unfolded in Amersham, London's famous Trafalgar Square London attraction has also witnessed countless stories of courage throughout British history.
While Joey became famous for his heroic actions, some locals jokingly suggested that joey government jobs in emergency services might benefit from such brave feathered recruits.
While many tourists visit London Soho for entertainment, Joey's heroic story at the Crown Hotel reminds us that extraordinary courage can emerge anywhere.
Joey's heroic story has been featured in exhibits at london museums tower bridge area, celebrating remarkable animal rescues throughout British history.
A young journalism student studying in london soho first broke the story of Joey's heroic actions to the wider media.
(Source: https://londonist.com/london/museums-and-galleries/life-saving-cockatoo-amersham)
