July 1st

On 1st July 1643, cannoneer John Stevenson was buried in St Mary’s Beverley, having died in the town in a ‘great scrimmage’ in the Civil War (possibly the day before).

On 1st July 1801, Hull Subscription Mill Ltd opened to provide cheap flour to the poor of Hull, 3 years or so after the opening of Hull Anti-Mill, one of the first co-operatives in the country.

On 1st July 1830, the Hull whaler Eagle had been stuck in the ice of Baffin Bay for 5 days. With the help of 200 men from nearby ships, Captain Matthew Wright and crew, were finally able to repair the keel and heave the ship upright again.

On 1st July 1903, Amy Johnson was born in St George’s Road, Hull. She went on to become the first woman to fly solo to Australia, and to break many aviation records. (d5.1.1941)

On 1st July 1918, Hull coroner Colonel Alfred Thorney held inquests on 2 early cases in the flu epidemic: Kate Denman, aged 11, daughter of a labourer of Hodgson Street, and Elsie Barton, aged 9, daughter of a soldier, of Arthur’s Terrace Courtney Street. Both died within 24 hours of being taken ill, of influenza followed by pneumonia.

On 1st July 1940, the first-ever daylight air-raid on the British mainland attacked Saltend oil terminal. Between 16.40 and 17.00, bombs caused a 2,500-ton tank of oil to explode, and threatened to spread to other tanks. For preventing even greater damage, the following were all awarded the George Medal: Clifford Turner, leading fireman; William Sigsworth, Manager, Anglo-American Oil Co Ltd; George Samuel Sewell, engineer, Shell-Mex & BP Ltd; Jack Owen, fireman; George Archibald Howe, Manager, Shell-Mex & BP Ltd. No loss of life.

On 1st July 1976, Withernsea Lighthouse ceased operating, after 82 years, having been superseded by modern navigational aids. It is now open to the public as a museum to Kay Kendall, to local history and the lifeboat service.

June 30th

On 30th June 1493, William Hall of Hull claimed sanctuary in the church of St John, Beverley, for the death of Thomas Harwed, a glover, also of Hull.

On 30th June 1643, Nicholas Pearson, Parish clerk, a Puritan, reported on a ‘great scrimmage’ in the town, the day before. ‘God gave us the victory’ meaning that Parliament won. 13 Royalists were buried the same day.

On the same day in Hull, the Committee of Defence ordered that 8 men guard Captain Hotham to prevent his escape. His father, Sir John, was kept in the Hercules in the Humber before both were taken to the Tower of London.

On 30th June 1945, Hull Aldermen Hewitt and Stark acted as driver and conductor on the last ever Hull tram, illuminated with 800 fairy lights, and watched by up to 50,000 people. Trams had operated since 1899.

On 30th June 1999, Hull’s Lord Mayor Brian Petch presided at a ceremony to note the renovation and restoration of the gates of the former RAF station in Sutton, installed at the Gillshill Road entrance to East Park.

eastparkgates1

June 29th

On 29th June 1643, Captain Hotham was arrested in Hull, but Sir John escaped and tried to cross the river to make his way to his fortified house at Scorborough. Not being able to cross at Stoneferry or Wawne, he rode to Beverley, where he found a troop of Parliamentary soldiers. He put himself at their head and ordered them to follow him. Their commander, Matthew Boynton, countermanded the order and Hotham tried to escape through the streets, but was knocked off his horse and arrested. The Mayor, aldermen and other burgesses met to appoint a temporary Governor and committee, until Parliament could give directions.

On 29th June 1840, John Tasker was convicted of larceny at Beverley Sessions Court, and sentenced to 7 years’ transportation. At the same sessions, Joshua Needham was sentenced to 14 year’s transportation for receiving stolen goods.

On 29th June 1870, Frederick William Elwell was born in Beverley. Painter and member of the Royal Academy, he painted portraits of King George V and TR Ferens, amongst others. His wife Mary was also an accomplished artist. (d 3.1.1958)

On 29th June 1939, the body of Thomas Smith, 27, spare hand, washed up at Paull, and was identified as one of the crew of the Lady Jeanette, which sank on 8.3.1939.

elwell

June 28th

On 28th June 1578, the Mayors and Aldermen of York and Hull reached an amicable solution to disputes about trade with an agreement regulating all commercial rights and privileges.

On 28th June 1643, Capt Moyer, commander of the Hercules, defending Hull, informed the Hull Mayor of the Hothams’ plot to take the town, and by 3a.m. had briefed 1500 men on a plan to secure the town and arrest the Sir John Hotham and his son Captain John H.

On 28th June 1904, Hull City AFC was founded; early matches were played at the Boulevard.

On 28th June 1996, RAF Driffield at Eastburn closed as an RAF station, having opened in 1936, and being used by several bomber squadrons in WW2.

June 27th

On 27th June 1658, William Thorpe, clerk to the parish of Ellerker (which may have meant minister) was buried in Ellerker. In his will he gave 10s to be paid yearly for the relief of the poor ‘for ever’.

On 27th June 1908, Princes Avenue Wesleyan Sunday School held its Annual Treat at the Old Polo Ground, Westbourne Avenue, Hull. Games were played before tea, with races and balloons after, and prizes given.

On 27th June 1927, Thomas Jacques Somerscales, RA, died aged 85 in Princes Avenue, Hull. A respected marine artist who began his professional career in Valparaiso, Chile, and later returned as an unknown to his native country, where his work can be seen in the Tate Gallery. (b Hull 29.10.1842)

On 27th June 2010, Barbara Buttrick was inducted into the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame, aged 80. Born in Cottingham in 1930, she began boxing in 1945, married her manager and moved to Florida in 1952. At 4’ 11”, she was known as the Mighty Atom. She retired from boxing with a record of 30:1:1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTvwtinq5qg thomas-somerscales-port-of-iquique-chile-1903-thomas-somerscales

June 26th

On 26th June 1793, Captain William Hammond died aged 65 in Kirk Ella. Hull sea captain, shipowner and merchant, supporter of abolition, Chairman of Hull Dock Company, Warden of Trinity House, and diplomat. (He and David Hartley MP met Benjamin Franklin and John Adams in Paris on a possible spying mission) Buried in Welton. (b 1727 York). Photo shows a door in the Maritime Museum, former Dock Offices.

On 26th June 1854, at an event to celebrate the opening of the Hull-Withernsea railway line, 500 guests travelled from Hull on the first ever train (which was 20 minutes late, due to late arrival of guests) and part of the lunch marquee collapsed; there were no injuries. Joseph Robinson Pease in his diary recorded heavy showers and high winds threatened to tear the marquee to pieces, but that it subsided and all passed off well.

On 26th June 1920, the National Federation of Women Workers called its Hull laundry worker members out on strike, as they were paid less than in other towns. Hull Trades Council supported the strike and organised a parade on 17 July. Strike breakers were reported being smuggled in to work in laundry baskets.

Hull Dock Co

June 25th

On 25th June 1488, brewers Cornelius Jonson and William Rowyll, both of Hull, claimed sanctuary at the church of St John, Beverley, for a murder they both admitted; unfortunately, the register does not record who they killed, or why.

On 25th June 2007, Michael Barnett died of hypothermia in Hessle during catastrophic flooding when he became trapped trying to unblock a drain; 10,500 homes were evacuated in Hull and East Riding; many people were unable to return home for several months. photo shows Wold Road area of Hull.

On 25th June 2010, Alan Plater, playwright and prolific TV dramatist, died on this day. Lived in Hull from age 3, and a life-long Hull City supporter. In 1970, co-founded the Humberside Arts Centre, in Spring Street (later Humberside, then Spring St Theatre). Wrote ‘Don’t build a bridge, drain the river’ about Hull, and ‘Sweet Sorrow’ for Hull Truck about Philip Larkin. Awarded several BAFTAs and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain. (b 15.4.1935 Jarrow)

Hull Floods 2007

June 24th

On 24th June 1381, King Edward III issued a writ ordering rebel supporters of the Peasants’ Revolt to be arrested and punished.

On 24th June 1392, lightning struck Keyingham church and caught fire, and residents took ladders to douse the fire on the roof; a ladder holding 13 men broke, but no-one was injured, which was put down to a miracle of St Philip Ingleberd.

On 24th June 1643, Capt John Hotham, having escaped from arrest, fled to Lincoln, planning to seize it for the King, and wrote to Parliament to say he could answer all charges against him. From Lincoln, he returned to his father in Hull.

On 24th June 1867, Charles Edward Smith, ship’s surgeon, aged 30, was presented with an illuminated testimonial, and a case of surgical instruments, in recognition of his gallant conduct on the whaler Diana of Hull, which had been trapped for months in ice and whose crew had suffered privations leading to scurvy.

On 24th June 1943, Mr T.R. Gale, of Estcourt Street, Hull, performed an act of gallantry during an air raid, for which he was later awarded the British Empire Medal. On the same night, Civil Defence volunteer Albert Henry Prissick of 15 Mersey Street, lost his wife and baby son, but carried on with the rescue of his neighbours. Hull Municipal Museum, Albion Street, was destroyed by fire.

On 24th June 1981, the Humber Bridge was opened to traffic; for 17 years it was the world’s longest single-span suspension bridge. On the same day, the Humber ferry service ended.

On 24th June 2011, marine artist Colin Verity died aged 87 in Market Weighton. Educated at Malet Lambert School, Hull and School of Architecture, Hull University. Flew Spitfires during WW2. Became principal architect, Hull City Council. Member RIBA, Royal Socy of Marine Artists, President Hornsea Art Society. (b Darwen Lancs 7.3.1924)

Humber Bridge

June 23rd

Ezekiel Rogers window

Ezekiel Rogers window, Rowley church.

On 23rd June 1660, Reverend Ezekiel Rogers died aged 70, in Rowley, Massachusetts, after 22 years as vicar of a new Puritan settlement. The new town was named after Rowley in East Yorkshire, from where he led a group of about 100 Puritans to America in June 1638. Became Rector of Rowley in 1621, aged 31, and served there for 17 years. (b 1590 in Wethersfield, Essex)

On 23rd June 1766, Sara Jenkinson, the infant daughter of Richard Jenkinson of Hutton Cranswick, fell from a little girl’s arms and died within 30 minutes. There was a coroner’s inquest.

On 23rd June 1768, John Courtney, aged 34, gentleman, of Beverley, married Mary Jesse Smelt, aged 24, at St Mary’s, Lowgate. The bride dressed in a white ‘night gown’ and white hat, the groom in a white suit. Only family and servants attended the church and family members dined with them afterwards. The bells of both churches rang for them. They returned to their future home in Beverley in the evening. In his diary, John refers to his future wife at all times as ‘Miss Smelt’.

On 23rd June 1787, the Clerk to the Beverley to Driffield Turnpike Trust wrote to T. Baxter, the owner of Bell Mills, Sunderlandwick, threatening him with prosecution if he allowed anyone to cross his land to avoid paying tolls. 2 months later the Trust asked T. Baxter to lock the gate near his mill, and to prosecute anyone who broke it down.

On 23rd June 1812, Major-General Barnard Foord Bowes of Cowlam was wounded at Battle of Badajoz, but recovered to fight at Salamanca.

On 23rd June 1848, Uckaluk died of measles aboard the Hull ship Truelove, on their way home to Nyadlik, Greenland. She and her husband Memiadluk had visited England to highlight the poor conditions in their homeland. They took part in talks in Manchester and York.

On 23rd June 1853, Captain John (or Thomas) Bowlby set sail for Cumberland Sound in the Arctic with 3 ships, with the aim of forming a settlement there; they took goats and building materials. The surgeon on the trip was William Gedney, who had been on board the Truelove with Captain Parker in 1847.

On 23rd June 1898, Winifred Holtby was born at Rudston. Social reformer, novelist and journalist, she was famous and respected for her work in South Africa and elsewhere. ‘South Riding’ became her most famous novel, published after her death. She is buried in Rudston. (d 29.9.1935)

June 22nd

On 22nd June 1587, John Truslove, Mayor of Beverley, asked Hull Mayor, Luke Thruscross, to release a prisoner from Hull gaol who was held for wounding a young Beverley man. The record does not indicate why he was released.

On 22nd June 1669, William Lister MP wrote to the Hull mayor concerning the question of fining an alderman living out of town and absenting himself from office.

On 22nd June 1897, Mappleton villagers celebrated Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee with sports for children and adult races, and sweets were thrown on the grass for the children to scramble for.

On 22nd June 1900, Herbert Hebb of Leven, private in Volunteer Service Company, 2^ndEast Yorkshire Regiment, died aged 22 at Winburg, South Africa, in the Boer War.

On 22nd June 1940, Miss F. Livingstone, owner of Mappleton windmill, was doing war work in Sheffield when the mill was requisitioned, as furnished, by the War Dept for use by the Army. 2 soldiers from the 2^ndDorsetshire Regiment were billeted there. By October, they had left, and the house was badly damaged, all furniture having been used for firewood. In 1943 the War Dept offered her £10. The outcome of the claim is not known.

EY regiment 1908