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whitbycolin
New Member
12 Posts
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 Posted -
03/07/2007
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12:34
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Hello my name is Colin Brittain, author of "Into The Maelstrom" The Wreck of the Rohilla. I was encouraged to post to this website by another keen member (H. Sheldrick) if I ever had any queries about Barlick members involved in the loss of the hospital vessel. I do hope that this post is within the correct topic title and apologise if not (perhaps the administrator could move it if not?).
I have recently acquired a high resolution scan taken from a postcard. The people featured are a mix of Whitby / Barnoldswick and I am trying to do my best to name those on the photograph. Of course as the author I should have ready access to additional photographs that may help and I have managed to name a few. I have posted this here to see if any existing members may have some clue as to who the personnel are. I believe the photograph was captured at one of the Rohilla's anniversary. I am sorry the image is missing as I have not yet cracked the way of ading an image, I will of course update this post when I have.
Finally if anyone has a query of their own for me about the Rohilla I would be happy to receive them. My passion for the tragic story is a s strong today as when I wrote my book if not stronger. In closing I would just like to add what a very comprehensive website this is.
My Regards
whitbycolin
I'm Like Driftwood On A Windy Day.
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moh
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Posted - 30/10/2011 : 13:48
Brought this back up after the mention in Thomo's posts in the topic about the Great War.
Say only a little but say it well  |
thomo
Barlick Born Old Salt
2021 Posts
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Posted - 30/10/2011 : 15:10
This may be a good place to put this item already on the CPGW topic:-
ivisional Sign/Service Insignia: not applicable - Royal Navy
Main CPGW Record
Surname: ANDERSON
Forename(s): William Edward
Place of Birth: Barnoldswick, Yorkshire
Residence: -----
Service No: M/10066
Rank: Senior Reserve Attendant
Regiment/Corps/Service: Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve
Battalion/Unit: H.M.H.S. 'Rohilla'
Division: not applicable - Royal Navy
Age: 23
Date of Death: 1914-10-30
Awards: -----
CWGC Grave/Mem Ref: 8
CWGC Cemetery: -----
CWGC Memorial: CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: -----
Comments:
No entry in SD - Navy.
1901 Barnoldswick Census: William E. Anderson, aged 10 years, born Barnoldswick, son of Ralph and Jane E. Anderson.
Cousin of Henry Wakefield (1069745).
Craven's Part in the Great War Entry:
PTE. W. ANDERSON, 20, School Terrace, Barnoldswick, single.
West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record Entry:
ANDERSON, W., 20, School Terrace, [Barnoldswick], single. The above resided at Barnoldswick, being a member of the local branch of the St. John Ambulance Association, who were drowned when the 'Rohilla', a hospital ship on which they were serving as members of the Naval Sick Berth Reserve, went ashore at Whitby on October 30, 1914.
Article Date: 07 August 1914
BARNOLDSWICK NEWS - LOCAL EFFECTS OF THE WAR
Sick Berth Reservists Called up - The Naval Reservists Called up
Mr. J.W. Thompson, the local superintendent of the Royal Naval Sick Berth Reserve, first received warning of the likelihood of his men having to serve their country in a telegram he received on Sunday from the Chief of the First Aid Department, Chatham, stating that all men had to be in readiness to leave the town on short notice. The message was ratified by a further wire received from the same department on Monday morning saying that sixteen men had to leave at once for Chatham. The following men were chosen:- Corporal M. Birtwhistle [Birtwistle], Private T. Petty, Sergeant A. Petty, Privates T. Horsfield, W. Horsfield, A.C. Elsworth, J.T. Pickles, A. Waterworth, H. Hopkinson [Hodkinson], R.W. Eastwood, F. Reddihough, W.E. Anderson, Wilfred Lord, F. Durkley [Dunkley], H. Barter, and Corporal W.J. Daly.
The men were at once informed of their summons, and all presented themselves on the station platform for departure by the 12-8 p.m. train. The news of the summons had quickly spread, and a large crowd assembled on the platform to see them off, a crowd whose feelings were in strange comparison to those when the same train steamed out of the station a week before bound for Blackpool and Morecambe. People stood in small groups discussing the events, some, it is true, laughing and talking, but others realising the grave import of the summons and waiting anxiously for the Premier's statement to be given in the House that afternoon.
The Departure
Prompt to the time the train whistle blew and the engine steamed out. A faint cheer was raised and a couple of detonators on the line served to emphasise the fact that if the worst come to the worst Barnoldswick would regard its first contingent of defenders with pride and welcome them back in more happy times. Here and there a woman was weeping, and even the more optimistic of the motley gathering had realised that their humour was ill-timed. Eagerly the train was watched down the line, and a farewell was bidden to Barnoldswick's representatives 'at the front.'
am Edward ANDERSON main record
Article Date: 06 November 1914
BARNOLDSWICK'S WEEK OF GLOOM - THE WRECK OF THE ROHILLA: THRILLING STORY
THREE OUT OF 15 LOCAL AMBULANCE MEN SAVED
This week has been one of the saddest that has ever been experienced by Barnoldswick people, for by the loss of the hospital ship, Rohilla, on the Whitby Coast, twelve gallant ambulance men out of fifteen who left the town on the outbreak of war have been lost. It is a sad story, but one, nevertheless, which will send a thrill of pride through succeeding generations when the story is related in years and years to come.
When war was announced these fifteen men, relinquishing their wives and families and all of them the comforts of home life, left home and joined the Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve, being drafted to Chatham Naval Barracks. It is clear that subsequently they joined the Rohilla hospital shop, which plied between France and this country, carrying sick and wounded soldiers. The ship was making a return journey to France and struck a rock in Whitby Bay, 150 of the 229 souls on board being saved. Out of the fifteen Barnoldswick men on board only three were saved - a terrible low percentage.
Every now and again a dim light wagging hither and thither fitfully in the darkness indicates that they are still there, summoning feebly the assistance that those on shore cannot give.
THE STORY OF THE WRECK
The Rohilla was bound for Dunkirk, whence it was to bring British and Belgian wounded to this country. A full complement of doctors and ambulance workers were on board, including four female nurses, who are among the rescued. Exactly how she came to be so close in shore is not clear, but it is known that she passed within hailing distance of the pier head at four o'clock on Friday morning,
The sentry there tried to warn her, but his shouts were unheard, and ten minutes later she went aground under the cliffs. A very heavy sea was running, rain was falling in torrents, the night was pitch dark and a gale was blowing from the sea. The elements, in fact, seemed almost to have conspired for the Rohilla's downfall, and from the first it was certain that a heavy death toll could not be avoided. Signals of distress brought the lifeboat crew and rocket brigade hurrying to the shore, but willing as the rescuers were, they could do nothing until the sea fell slightly with the arrival of daylight. By that time several bodies had been washed ashore. Although the storm had abated somewhat the waves were still running so high that it was impossible to take the lifeboat out of the harbour mouth, and with great difficulty it was dragged along the shore to a point opposite the wreck. In the meantime one of the Rohilla's lifeboats, manned by the second officer and a crew of five, had come ashore with a line, but before communication could be established the line was broken by the force of the waves. All the remaining boats on the wreck had been either smashed or carried away, and the crew was powerless to make a second attempt. Two journeys were made to the wreck by the lifeboat, and two boatloads of nurses, stewards, and attendants were brought ashore. The lifeboat, however, was so badly battered that a third journey was impossible.
A second lifeboat was in the town, and as it was not possible to bring it along the shore, it was brought to the top of the cliff and lowered the two hundred odd feet down the almost perpendicular face of the cliff to the water - a feat probably unparalleled in the history of the Lifeboat Institute. Unfortunately when the boat had been lowered nothing could be done. The crew was anxious to man it and attempt the voyage, but it was realised that to do so would inevitably mean a further and useless waste of life. The Rohilla broke in two soon after she was struck, and at intervals during the day bodies were washed ashore.
MOTOR LIFEBOAT TO THE RESCUE
The last scene of this grim tragedy was a happy one. In the early hours of Sunday morning the fifty benumbed and starving people who still remained on board were rescued by a motor lifeboat, from Tynemouth, and were landed safely in Whitby harbour. Altogether, out of some 230 people who were on board when the Rohilla struck, 150 were saved alive. The rest were drowned or died from exposure. Many of the fifty people who were brought ashore on Sunday morning were in a pitiable condition. Clad only in their night attire, they had been exposed to the full fury of the elements since the ship struck, and they had had neither food nor drink to sustain them. Perched on the shoulder of one of them was a tiny wet bundle of fur, a kitten, sister to that which was brought off in the lifeboat on Friday.
THE NEWS IN BARNOLDSWICK
Our Barnoldswick representative writes:
By the loss of twelve lives out of the fifteen, which went from Barnoldswick to serve in an ambulance capacity upon the ill-fated hospital ship Rohilla, Barnoldswick as a town has this week suffered the greatest shock that the war has yet imposed. Local hardships caused by trade depression, anxieties about the welfare of loved ones serving their country in whatever capacity, could be born with fortitude, but the loss of twelve brave and well-known townspeople is a disaster that cannot so easily be overcome. It is only a short three months since the war began, and fifteen members of the Royal Naval Sick Berth Reserve left the town to take their part in the very necessary ambulance work, of which, alas, there has been plenty.
Of the fifteen men, only three, Privates Fred. Riddiough, Anthony Waterworth and W. Eastwood, have been saved alive from the wreck. The body of Private W. Barker was recovered dead, and all the rest are missing. It is presumed that they were drowned in the highest severity of the storm.
THE FIFTEEN
The Saved
Private W. Eastwood (married, two children), 8 Powell Street
Private Anthony Waterworth (single), North View Terrace
Private Fred Riddiough (single), 13 Ribblesdale Terrace
Missing or Dead
Sergeant Arthur Petty (married, one child), 2 Bracewell Street. Mr. Petty was secretary of the Barnoldswick Association
Corporal Birtwhistle (married, one child), 19 Clifford Street
Corporal W.J. Dalby (married, six children), 32 Westgate
Private Tom Petty (married, three children), 11 Coronation Street
Private H. Barter (married, no children), 41 Skipton Road
Private Tom Horsfield (married, seven children), 33 Heath View
Private Walter Horsfield (single), 7 Essex Street
Private Alfred Elsworth (single), 32 Wellington Street
Private J.T. Pickles (married, one child), Federation Street
Private H. Hodkinson (single), 14 Bank Street
Private W. Anderson (single), 20 School Terrace
Private T. Dunkley (married, one child), 9 Bairstow Street
When the ship struck most of the Barnoldswick men were asleep, or trying to sleep, in their bunks. An interesting account of his experiences is given below by Private Fred Riddiough, one of the saved, in a letter to Barnoldswick, and these were similar to the experiences of Private Anthony Waterworth, who was taken away in the lifeboat at the same time as his companion. Private Riddiough's account is given below.
PRIVATE FRED RIDDIOUGH'S EXPERIENCES
In a letter to Barnoldswick, dated October 31st, Private Fred Riddiough, who was one of the few Barnoldswick men saved from the wreck, gives a simple but comprehensive account of his personal experiences when the ship struck, and of the manner in which he made good his escape. He says:-
"We were sailing down the East Coast bound for Dunkirk in France, on Thursday night. It was one of the roughest nights we have had since we have been away. The wind was blowing the ship everywhere it wanted. We could not get to sleep. At about 4 o'clock the following morning the ship shook from stern to stern. We all 'nipped' out of bed, and the water was pouring down the hatches in torrents. When I got out of bed I was ankle deep in water, so I slipped into my pants and grabbed a lifebelt and ran. When I got to the end of the line of bunks some bottles came dashing past, and cut one of my toes clean off, all but a bit of skin, and I was walking about like that for about four hours, so you can just think what I went through. When I got upstairs into the saloon passage it was full of water. I then went up some more steps onto the promenade deck, and then onto the boat deck. No sooner had I got onto the boat deck then I was swept off my feet about three times, the waves coming mountain high. Then I got hold of a ventilator along with some other chaps, when a wave came and swept us all off our feet right up against the rails. Then I was in about three feet of water trying to get my wind. I got up and got behind a boat out of the way of the waves, when I saw Tony just behind me. We went forward to get into the Marconi chap's cabin, and stayed there until daylight. The ship's doctor then came and said we had better get out of there as it was not safe. We took our chance (I was with Willie Anderson then, I had lost sight of Tony), and waited till a big wave had gone by, and then we 'nipped' forward into another cabin. Then I lost sight of Anderson, so I was on my own so far as out chaps were concerned. Well, I stayed in there for another hour and a half. There was a lifeboat coming alongside, and the Captain shouted "Women first". As you know, we had four Sisters and the stewards on board. Well, they got in with some more chaps, so I said to myself, "When that boat comes back I am for it". So I got onto the rail and waited for it to come back, and when it did come, I got hold of a rope and slid down into the lifeboat. A man pulled me in by the feet. When I looked up I saw Tony standing on the rail, so I sent the rope back, and Tony got hold of it and came down into the boat as well. I think we were the only two from Barnoldswick to get saved. I am now at the Cottage Hospital, Whitby, and have just had some relatives to see me. I am lucky to be here, I can tell you. I would not go through it again for a fortune. I think I shall be here for a while yet, and then I hope to get home on leave. "
From this communication one may gather some idea of the terrible night of anxiety, and the days of peril that followed, for it was not until Sunday that all the saved were removed from the ship. From the time the ship was struck, 4 a.m. on Friday, every possible endeavour was made by the crew to obtain communication with the shore, and when daylight illuminated the awful scene, various attempts were made by the Whitby lifeboat men to reach the doomed vessel. As Mr. Riddiough states, the ladies were taken ashore in the first lifeboat, whilst a number of men, including himself and Waterworth, departed when a second visit was paid.
HOW BARNOLDSWICK RECEIVED THE NEWS
The first news to reach Barnoldswick of the disaster was by means of a telegram from Waterworth, stating that he and Riddiough were amongst the saved, and it was feared that they were the only two of the local men to have made good their escape. Consternation was everywhere felt, and at once telephonic communication was entered into regardless of expense, by anxious relatives and friends, all of whom were keenly desirous of learning the fate of the remainder of the local Sick Berth Reservists. Suspense was maintained all the evening. The only consolation that was to be gained was the news that many people were known to be clinging to the week, and that these might include more 'Barlickers'. All the evening a crowd of people surged around the Post Office awaiting news that never came.
Already practical sympathy was being meted out to the relatives, and by the early train on Saturday morning a number of relatives left the town for the scene of the disaster. On Saturday and Sunday too, other people journeyed by rail, whist a number of local gentlemen kindly conveyed families by motor to Whitby.
On Saturday it became known that the dead body of Barter had been recovered, and later in the day came the welcome news that Eastwood had been saved. No more news regarding the fate of the Barnoldswick men was forthcoming, and on Wednesday morning the tale that had to be told was that only three of the local men had been rescued, that one body was recovered dead, and that the remainder were missing.
Throughout the week little bits of news had percolated from the scene of the disaster.
All the men, with the exception of H. Barter, who was a goods porter at the Midland Station, and T. Dunkley, a baker, were employed in the cotton trade. A story was circulated in the town regarding the fate of Barter. It is known that he was a good swimmer, and the report is that he essayed to swim ashore. After having been tossed about like a cork in the raging surf, the account is that he actually got his feet on land and had commenced to wade forward into safety when a huge wave dashed him backwards against some rocks, thus killing him before the rescuers, who rushed with ropes into the sea, could get near him. Barter was a Worcestershire man, and his wife, who left Barnoldswick during the weekend, has had his body conveyed to his native town, where it was interred, amidst local manifestations of sorrow and sympathy on Tuesday last. Mrs. Barter was staying with relatives in the south.
Lack of news regarding other Barnoldswick survivors extinguished the faint hopes that were held on Sunday and Monday for their safe recovery. Anxiety is still maintained regarding the recovery of the bodies.
NOT HOME YET
When the lifeboat landed Riddiough and Waterworth, they were taken to the Whitby Cottage Hospital, where they were visited by relatives and friends on Sunday. Eastwood was taken from the wreck by the Shields motor lifeboat upon its arrival. Various rumours have been circulated regarding the experiences of this survivor. One is to the effect that he jumped from the Rohilla into the sea, and was tossed back again by the huge wave, and another phase of the same story is that he attempted to swim to land, but was unable to make any headway in the raging storm, thus being assisted to regain the poor shelter and doubtful safety of the vessel itself. Whatever his actual experiences must have been, there can be no doubt that he has suffered terribly. He is at present detained at Whitby, where he has been seen by his brother, who went from Barnoldswick on Monday. Waterworth and Riddiough have been ordered to Chatham to report themselves upon recovery from shock and the injuries they sustained. It is probable that they will be permitted to return to Barnoldswick this weekend.
WATCHING FOR THE BODIES
No one has been more assiduous in seeking to alleviate suffering, arrange for the comfort of the survivors, and assist Barnoldswick people who have gone to Whitby, than Mr. J.W. Thompson, gas and water engineer, who is superintendent of the local Ambulance Division. Mr. Thompson got to Whitby on Monday, and at once wired to the Postmaster at Barnoldswick that none of the eleven bodies of the missing men had been recovered. In addition to giving evidence at the inquest, Mr. Thompson has kept Barnoldswick people posted with what news there was to send.
A telegram from him was placed in the window of the Post Office to the effect that 'Divers have volunteered and will search the submerged parts of the ship tomorrow (Thursday). Lifeboat has just returned from visiting the wreck. They did not find any bodies on it. The inside of the ship is washed out. Our eleven still missing.'
Rev. Matthew Hall, who was a member of the motoring party to the East Coast, in an interview said that thanks to Mr. Thompson and the people in charge of affairs at Whitby, he was convinced that everything that possibly could be done had been done to reach and rescue the shipwrecked. He had seen the storm, hardly abated even then, sweeping the middle portion of the ship, which appeared to have struck the rock amidships. The bows and the stern had gone. What was once a beautiful and palatial vessel was now a complete shattered mess. The decks were swept clean, and the people of Whitby had gleaned flotsam and jetsam of all kinds after each tide. Some bodies had been washed up. But they did not include any of the Barnoldswick contingency. Mr. Hall said it was a pitiful sight. There seemed to be an abundance of lifebelts, and it was his impression that early in the storm the boxes that contained these valuable, almost priceless, instruments at such a time, were washed away from their lashings.
From the accounts Mr. Hall had received the experiences of Private Barter were terrible. It was especially lamentable that after making so brave and considerable endeavour to reach the shore, where he would have been on the point of rescue, only to be dashed against the rocks and tragically killed. By all accounts his body was terribly mutilated.
PERSONAL JOTTINGS
Most of the missing men have been associated with Barnoldswick Ambulance Brigade for many years, and have since served in the Royal Naval Sick Berth Reserve, taking part in the annual training ----- of H.M. ships. The two Horsfields were brothers, and sons of Mr. James Horsfield, of Essex Street, a well-known Barnoldswick gentleman. Mr. T. Horsfield was a member of an ambulance corps during the South African War. Mr. Milton Birtwhistle is a son-in-law of Mr. James Marsh, a well-known member of the Skipton Board of ----- and his services were usually required whenever an accident took place.
Sergt. Arthur Petty was one of the best-known St. John Ambulance workers in the town, and Mr. T. Petty was actively associated with the Salvation Army.
Messrs. Waterworth and Riddiough, who were saved from the wreck, had seen the least amount of service. They held a reputation, along with Eastwood, who was also saved, of being especially keen on -----.
A portion of the wreckage of the Rohilla has been sent to Barnoldswick, and is being made into a frame by Mr. J. -----. to contain the Ambulance certificate of Private Dunkley, and will be preserved by the relatives as a memento of the departed.
PULPIT REFERENCES.
In every place of worship on Sunday, prayers were offered for the safety of the shipwrecked men during the period of suspense. Reference to the sad event was made at the Brotherhood meeting on Sunday afternoon, when Mr. John Heald, the chairman, said the Brotherhood, with whom some of the men were connected, desired to express their deep sympathy with the relatives and families of the men, who had sacrificed their lives whilst seeking to save and preserve the lives of others. A vote of condolence was passed, the congregation standing the while.
Mention was also made at the Baptist Chapel by Rev. E. Winnard. The man Elsworth, who is amongst the missing, was associated with the Bethesda Baptist Chapel, and reference to this and the shipwreck in general was sympathetically made by the Rev. W.H. Lewis. At the Wesleyan Chapel and the Primitive Methodist Church mention was also passed. The Church of England services also included special prayers for 'those in peril on the sea', and spiritual comfort of those at home.
A memorial service is to be held.
THE SCENE FILMED
Pathé Freres, the cinematograph producing firm, rushed a party of photographers and operators to the spot immediately they learned of the wreck, and Mr. Palmer, the proprietor of the Alhambra, has secured the excusive film rights of the wreck, and he will place it before Barnoldswick audiences this week. In the cinema, the picture suddenly turns shoreward, depicting the anxious but helpless crowd of spectators, who, regardless of the elements, have assembled to see the last of the ill-starred ship. Rescuers are seen at work, with long lifelines, rushing boldly into the surf, sometimes swept off their feet by the towering waters. The last scene is that of the sad procession of the dead. Rescuers are carrying one of the lifeless bodies from the shore.
THE WRECK OF THE ROHILLA: THE INQUEST - Ambulance Superintendent's Natural Request
At the inquest on Monday, John W. Thompson, superintendent of the Barnoldswick Ambulance Division, said that eleven of their division were not accounted for. Eight or nine were married men, whose families wished to get the bodies home, if they were recovered. The Admiralty had agreed to provide coffins but nothing further. He thought they should do more.
The Inquest was resumed at Whitby yesterday.
Captain Neilson, master of the Rohilla, was the principal witness. He said there were 229 persons aboard when the ship left the Firth of Forth on October 29 for Belgium to receive wounded. The next morning the weather became bad, and the ship rolled considerably. At the time of the disaster he and the chief officer were walking on the bridge. The chief officer said to the witness that the afterboats ware adrift owing to the rolling of the ship, and the witness said. "All right, Bond, I propose turning her off the land, as the weather is getting worse, and letting her dodge about." Before the result of the soundings was brought to him the ship struck, and the witness said, "My God." He ordered the engines full speed astern, and then full speed ahead, giving the helmsman the order hard-a-port. The helm was put so, and the engines went full speed ahead, to put the ship into the land, as his ship was wounded vitally. The ship went on, as far as he could judge, a good seven or eight minutes, and finally took the beach with a grating sound, when he stopped and waited for daylight to see where they were. He was still of the opinion that he struck a mine outside the rock. He certainly struck something outside the rock, and by the volume of sound he thought it was a mine. Describing the early lifeboat rescues, he said that four nurses and a stewardess were put in the first boat and three sailors who were onwards jumped into the boat. Afterwards his orders as to precedence were followed. On Saturday afternoon the position was so serious that he suggested that swimmers might try to get ashore. He watched the currents and directed those who made the attempt, and about thirty, he was told, reached the shore alive.
PLIGHT OF THE SURVIVORS
Subsequently he received a signal from the shore that a motor lifeboat was coming, and signaled back, "The ship is breaking rapidly, look out for swimmers, low tide tonight, no time to lose." He then called the hands together, told them he thought the ship could not hold out to daybreak, and advised them to make raft. Those remaining on board huddled together for warmth. They had no food or fire, and only a thimbleful each of water. Although the weather had moderated on Sunday morning when the motor lifeboat received them, he did not think an ordinary lifeboat could have reached the wreck.
The fourth officer also expressed the opinion that the ship struck a mine. One stated this he was knocked off his feet against a bulkhead, while another said the first shock was like being 'lifted up in a lift and being let down'.
The Coroner, in summing up, remarked that the war had deprived navigators of the benefits of lighthouses and shore lights in the North Sea.
The jury found that the ship struck 'something' before grounding, and that the master navigated the vessel in a seamanlike manner in exceptional circumstances, and was free from blame. They recommended the provision of rocket apparatus on passenger ships, and a motor lifeboat for Whitby. They also recorded their high appreciation of the conduct of the master, officers, and crew, and expressed sympathy with the relatives of the victims.
Article Date: 15 June 1917
A 'ROHILIA' MONUMENT AT WHITBY
A handsome stone monument has just been completed in Whitby Cemetery over the last resting place of 38 of the victims of the ill-fated hospital ship, 'Rohilla' in the wreck of which near Whitby on the 30th October, 1914, ninety-one officers and men (including twelve Naval Sick Berth. attendants from Barnoldswick), lost their lives. The monument has been erected by Messrs. Thos. Hill and Sons, of Whitby, to the order of the British India Steam Navigation Company (owners of the 'Rohilla') at a cost of over £200. From the 'Whitby Gazette' of last week (in which appears a photograph of the monument) we take the following description:-
"The monument is of the very best quality, West Yorkshire Slone, supplied by Messrs. Geo. Vint. and Brothers, Idle, Bradford, and occupies a central position over the nine graves. The square monument stands 9ft. 2in. high, the dimensions at the base being 4ft. by 4ft. An ornamental anchor, appropriately rests on the moulding towards the top on each of the four sides, while a 'rope' is effectively carved at each angle. The graves have been kerbed round and concreted, and covered with broken marble. The names of the unfortunate victims have been engraved on the four sides of the monument, and the completion of the work reflects in the highest credit upon all engaged in the erection of this handsome memorial."
The names of the Barnoldswick men are inscribed (with others) on the east panel as follows:-- W. E. Anderson, M. Birtwistle, W.J. Daly, A.C. Elsworth, H. Hodkinson, A. Petty, T. Petty, J.T. Pickles, H.J. Harker, F. Dunkley, T. Horsfield, W. Horsfield.
At the base of the front panel is the inscription:-
"I saw a new heaven and a new earth,
And there was no more sea."
thomo |
moh
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Posted - 31/10/2011 : 10:21
Good idea.
Say only a little but say it well |
whitbycolin
New Member
12 Posts
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Posted - 01/11/2011 : 00:51
Hello Thomo / Moh I hope you do not mind my addressing a few different things in the one reply? Thank you for your input it is always nice to read from other Rohilla enthusiasts especially if by way of the Barlick connection. My last contact with the 'Pickles' family following a letter I had sent, the family member sadly informed me that her grandfather had passed away and with it another loose connection. I posted the group photograph hoping to learn more in terms of identifying those on it and look forward to learning more. With reference to the Lifeboat Heroes it would be nice to acquire a copy. The loss of the Rohilla reaches its grand centenary in 1914 and as it is becoming a bit of a talking point we felt it is time to look closely at how we can mark the special event. The centenary of the William Riley was a lost opportunity but I was not involved with the former Upgang lifeboat trust at that time. A meeting is being held next week to formalise a 'steering grooup' tasked with overseeing the celebrations and discussing ideas that have surfaced thus far. I am pleased to have been offered a position as historical advisor; the title is not so much the role but the experience I hope to savour. Things with the Rohilla keep me very busy and I sometimes wonder who or what I would be without it as part of my life, in many ways it has been my lifeline helping me to overcome some dark days in my life. I was really pleased with how the BBC filming went although I feel they cannot really do the sad tragedy any true justice in the short ‘air time’ they allocate to each part of the Coast series / episodes. I also had a very interesting talk with my publisher yesterday with regards as to the future of my book. Released in 2002 it has served my intentions and I am eager to carry the book ever forward. I have received so many new acquaintances learning far more about those involved often acquiring photographs along the way. I am keen to have the chance to update the book and am encouraged that the publisher is also supportive. They have initially offered me the chance to have a reprint which would allow me to correct some errors I am aware of and add some of my newer material. The reprint would be restricted to a low print run of less than 100, this would keep the book available in the interim. What does encourage me is hearing that the publisher is keen to marry up the centenary with what could be deemed a new book. We have discussed some of the material I would like to add / expand upon as well as major changes to some parts of the book with a couple of chapters deleted to reflect the new material I have. It’s all very positive at the moment and hope that Barlick people feel content with my Rohilla work. I do as ever always extend an open invitation and I would very much like to hear from anyone with suggestions / comments (good, constructive, or negative) Regards
Colin
I'm Like Driftwood On A Windy Day. |
moh
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Posted - 02/11/2011 : 13:39
Well done Colin, look forward to seeing you on Coast. Do you know the date of its transmission yet?
Say only a little but say it well |
thomo
Barlick Born Old Salt
2021 Posts
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Posted - 06/11/2011 : 09:46
In reference to the group photo on page 1, I may have a couple of names for you later today as one of the group joining us at Ghyll for another project will be coming here afterwards to view the pic, he believes that he can name a couple from the front row.
thomo |
whitbycolin
New Member
12 Posts
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Posted - 07/11/2011 : 08:03
It would be nice to know some of the names and I only wish I had the photograph with us when we came to Barnoldswick in 2005
Colin 
I'm Like Driftwood On A Windy Day. |
thomo
Barlick Born Old Salt
2021 Posts
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Posted - 07/11/2011 : 17:53
We have a name for one of the men on the group photo:-
Bottom right front row is John Henry Bell.
Now awaiting confirmation of one of the ladies names. Meanwhile here are two memorials seen yesterday at Ghyll.
Edited by - thomo on 07/11/2011 5:54:59 PM
thomo |
thomo
Barlick Born Old Salt
2021 Posts
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Posted - 08/11/2011 : 23:17
Still awaiting confirmation about the Lady but a surname has come uo for:-
Front row inbetween man with hat on lap (left) and man with white gloves (Right) Mr ? Thomas.
thomo |
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HMHS Rohilla
