The Ratman of Southend is an English urban legend originating in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. The story of the Ratman tells of an old homeless man, who while seeking shelter from the cold in an underpass, was set upon by a group of youths and beaten to near-death. The cold and blood loss finished his life. As he died, the numerous vermin who inhabit the area gathered, and were found to have devoured his face. After this, a ghostly figure was spotted in the underpass, with people hearing ratlike squealing, and scraping, as if large claws were moving across the walls.
In popular culture
A short film about the Ratman of Southend, directed by Michael Holiday, was entered in 2019 during the annual Horror-on-Sea film festival in Southend.
In 2020, Afterlight Comics published Folktales of the Cryptids Vol. 2. An anthology revolving around different folkloric creatures, in which the Ratman is included.
References
- Gordon, Dee (1 January 2012). Haunted Southend. The History Press. ASIN 075246082X.
- McAlpine, Fraser (24 June 2014). "Stuff Brits Like: A Guide to What's Great about Great Britain". Nicholas Brealey Publishing. Retrieved 5 June 2017 – via Amazon.
- "Blazing Minds interview with film director Michael Holiday". 9 December 2018. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
- "FolkTales Of The Cryptids Vol. 2". Archived from the original on 2022-06-16. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
External links
- from Mysterious Britain
- Article discussing the Ratman story among other folkloric English characters
- A list of Southend's most haunted locations
- BBC America article
51°32′28″N 0°42′40″E / 51.5412°N 0.7110°E / 51.5412; 0.7110
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