On 15th July 1855, Hull-born John Sheppard, a Boatswain’s mate, attempted single-handedly to blow up a Russian warship at Sebastopol, Crimea, and was awarded the Victoria Cross ‘for valour’.
On 1th July 1868, John Ellerthorpe, the ‘Hero of the Humber’ died aged 62. He had rescued 39 people from drowning and was awarded the Royal Humane Society Silver Medal. Buried in Hull General Cemetery. (b 1806)
On the night of 14/15 July 1943, Bill Shepherd, engineer at Wm Jackson & Son Ltd, Derringham St, Hull, died when the factory was bombed; his colleague Sid Charlton escaped injury, as they dived for cover in opposite directions.
Hull & East Yorkshire History Calendar 