August 18th

On 18th August 1522, Thomas Webster, a weaver from Lowthorpe, claimed sanctuary in St John’s Church, Beverley, for the death of Thomas Ayke of Littlebeck. On the same day, a 2nd man entered the sanctuary – John Thorp, a husbandman of Eastrington, for a felony.

On 18th August 1552, Church commissioners seized items of value from St Giles Church, Marfleet, no longer needed in plainer protestant services, including a silver chalice, brass candlesticks, bells and a brass holy water vat. Witnesses from the parish were Marmaduke Loickwos, Herry Birkett, Richard Walker, and Thomas Almonde.

On 18th August 1782, Rev George Lambert reported seeing a meteor or fireball pass over the town in the morning, which alarmed many people.

On 18th August 1808, Margaret Kissling, nee Moxon, was born in Sculcoates.  She married a Lutheran missionary, worked in Sierra Leone and settled in New Zealand as teacher and nurse. (d 20.9.1891)

On 18th August 1832, Charles Winn, Tory candidate, issued a poster to refute allegations that he supported slavery, during his General Election campaign.

On 18th August 1941, an air raid destroyed St Margaret’s Church, Hilston, the 3rdchurch on this site, its predecessor having been replaced in 1862 by Sir Tatton Sykes. The only remnant of the first church is its Norman doorway. The current church was consecrated in 1957, built by local architect Francis Johnson, and was listed in 2017.

 

hilston church & tower.JPG

 

   

 

August 17th

On 17th August 1377, King Richard II issued a charter allowing the town of Hull to ensure the town walls and moats were kept in good repair, and to compel every householder to contribute to the cost of repair.

On 17th August 1427, Thomas Brygman, vicar of Foston, asked the Pope to relax the penances paid by those who did not visit church on holy days or give alms, because the church buildings were ruinous, and lacking a bell tower to call parishioners to prayer, and because the parishioners were too poor to repair the church. Their poverty was caused by ‘divers burdens’ imposed by King Henry to fight wars, and also because of the high mortality level in the area.

On 17th August 1863, Dr T.T. Pierson of Bridlington Quay apologised for signing a certificate at The Retreat asylum, Kilham, to declare a woman insane (whom he had known since they were at school) at the request of her husband; she turned out to be suffering only from the effects of alcohol.

On 17th August 1905, Hull merchant Frederick Harker was fined £2 plus costs for speeding at Harpham – travelling at 28 miles per hour in a 20mph zone. It was reported that the method used, of 3 police officers timing him over a measured distance, had not been used before.

On 17th August 1920, Sir Luke White, MP, died at Driffield, aged 75. Liberal MP for Buckrose since 1900, he died a pauper and under investigation for bankruptcy, having covered his political expenses by using money entrusted to him by the clients of his business as a solicitor.

On 17th August 1954, workers at King George Dock, Hull, began a strike against unsafe working conditions called the ‘Filling Strike’; within hours, 4,000 dockers were on strike and 60 ships lay idle. The strike ended after 11 days.

 

1954 dock strike

August 15th

On 15th August 1690, Robert Lumley, ship’s master, was fined 10s by Hull Trinity House for sailing out of the port without supplying the House with a list of men and their wages.

On 15th August 1764, Abraham Clayton, 35, of Howden, was hanged at York Castle for murdering his wife Elizabeth; his body was given to surgeons ‘to be anatomized’.

On 15th August 1808, Robert Pattinson,  grazier and agriculturist, died aged 82, and left 4 acres of land in Skeffling, the rent to be used to educate poor children in Easington.

On 15th August 1924, Harry Blanshard Wood, VC, died aged 42 in Devon, after a traffic accident. Born in Newton-on-Derwent, he was a corporal in the 2ndBattalion, Scots Guards when on 13.10.1918 in St Python, France, he took command when his platoon sergeant was killed, and showed gallant conduct and initiative, for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

On the same day, BBC radio station 6KH began broadcasting local items from bishop Lane, Hull, including sport, talks, children’s shows, and music featuring local musicians, e.g. Powolny’s Restaurant Bijou Orchestra. In 1928, the station closed, and there was no local station until Radio Humberside opened in 1971.

On 15th August 1940, 13 military personnel and 1 civilian died, and 16 injured in this daytime air raid on Driffield airfield and Southburn, including Aircraftwoman M. Hudson, the first WRAF fatality.

August 14th

On 14th August 1715, John Burdas, bricklayer, aged 26, placed a “ffaine” (possibly a weather vane?) on top of the newly-repaired top of the steeple of St Patrick’s church. This required him to stand for some hours with one foot on the top stone and the other foot on the top of a ladder ‘to everyone’s wonder and admiration’.

On 14th August 1831,  William Stephenson of Beverley had his will registered at York Assizes, the main beneficiary being Dr Alexander Turnbull of Hull. The doctor sued witnesses to the will who alleged it had been improperly drawn up. He lost his case, and left Hull soon afterwards.

On 14th June 1934, coxswain George Leng of Flamborough lifeboat Forester rescued 4 men from the cliffs at Thornwick Bay; they were in danger of drowning and unable to climb higher, in great danger as the tide had not reached its height. He threw them a line and got them into the lifeboat.

On 14th August 1937, Hull Baseball Club won the National Baseball Assn Open Challenge Cup 5-1 against Romford Wasps. Baseball was played at Craven Park until the outbreak of WW2.

On 14th August 1943, a company of 200 ‘British Pioneers’ was drafted to Hull for work on the docks, due to an increase in the number of ships carrying cargoes of war materials.

 

Pat church

August 12th

On 12th August 1349, the Meaux Abbot and 5 monks died of the Black Death; more were to die – only 10 of the 50 in the community survived. Afterwards, their serfs at Wawne went on strike, and the monks imprisoned them.

On 12th August 1536, North Ferriby Priory was dissolved (Prior and 8 monks, and 34 servants homeless and jobless); the first wave of Henry VIII closures followed an enquiry which found that the prior together with 2 of his canons had allegedly been guilty of fornication and 4 canons of abusing themselves.

On 12th August 1646, Robert Leedes of Molescroft swore an oath in support of Parliament. Having been a supporter of King Charles I, he was considered ‘delinquent’. As well as the oath, he was fined for lands and money worth £90.

On 12th August 1895,  Isaac Leggott, water bailiff, died instantly when a shell exploded at Alexandra Dock, Hull. It was thought to be an unexploded artillery shell, and Leggott had removed the fuse, prior to throwing it in the water. Henry Cook, dock gate man, was also seriously injured.

On 12th August 1987, Ismail Sowan, Hull College researcher, was arrested when police searched his flat in Westbourne Avenue in connection with the death of Palestinian cartoonist Naji al-Ali.  They found assault rifles, bomb-making equipment, explosive and grenades. Sowan, a Mossad agent, was arrested, imprisoned and deported.

 

naji al-ali

August 10th

On 10th August 1530, Gilbert Cornevell, fishmonger of Beverley, claimed sanctuary at the church of St John, Beverley, ‘for a felony committed at Kirkelly (Kirk Ella) and because he engaged in false coining and for other reasons’.

On 10th August 1785, Rev George Lambert of Hull saw a 2ndwhale displayed at South End, which had beached near Wintringham.

On 10th August 1889, 30 Hull workmen left Hull on a trip to the Paris Exhibition, at the expense of Hull Central MP Henry King. They included sculptor John S. Holmes, jeweller James Lord, stonemason Edwin Quibell, with painters, fitters joiners etc.

On 10th August 1915, Ralph Thomas was born in Hull. Film director, best known for directing the “Doctor” series of films and other comedies, but also directed the 1959 version of ‘The 39 Steps’, ‘Tale of  Two Cities’, ‘Campbell’s Kingdom’ etc.  His brother Gerald directed the ‘Carry On’ series. (d 17.3.2001)

   

Ralph thomas_

August 9th

Bishop's Palace, Howden

On 9th August 1260, Walter of Kirkham, Bishop of Durham, died at the Bishop’s Palace, Howden. His body was taken to Durham for burial but his viscera were buried in the church. photo shows what remains of Bishop’s Palace.

On 9th August 1516, Sir Ralph Ellerker of Risby confessed to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, Archbishop of York, that he ordered his servants Henry Norham and Roberte Hunt to kidnap George Millet, keeper of Beverley Parks, and imprison him in Cottingham Park so that he could hunt on the Archbishop’s land. Pleading poverty, he was bound over in the sum of £200.

On 9th August 1769, John Burrill of Skipsea assaulted John Warcup with swords, staves, knives and clubs so that his life was threatened and ‘other wrongs’. Burrill was indicted in September, found guilty on 24.4.1770, and sentenced 2.10.1770 to a fine of £20 and to remain in gaol until the fine was paid.

On 9th August 1785, Rev George Lambert went to see a 24 foot whale killed and displayed at South End, Hull (near modern pier); described by sailors as a young bottlenecked grampus.

On 9th August 1859, Hansard records the 29.4.1859 election in Beverley void; Ralph Walters was declared ‘not a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Beverley’ and Henry Edwards was declared MP in his place. Joseph Robinson Pease in his diary called Walters ‘an adventurer, arriving 3 days previously’, ‘by open bribery …. carried the day.’

On 9th August 1902, William Day Keyworth junior, sculptor, died aged 59 in Spring Bank, Hull. He produced many statues of civic dignitaries, including Andrew Marvell, Anthony Bannister and William Wilberforce (now outside Wilberforce House). Shot himself in the head at his home, but left no suicide note.

On the same day, Nafferton villagers were celebrating King Edward VII’s coronation with, among other events, a ‘comic’ cricket match, gentlemen vs ladies, which the ladies won. The score is not recorded.

On 9th August 1915, 17 Goole residents, mostly women and children, were killed by a Zeppelin raid on the town and docks.

On 9th August 1916, a Zeppelin raid on Anlaby Road, Hull,  killed John Broadley aged 3 and at least 7 other residents, and injured about 20. 2 people died of shock. Rev A.W. Carter, Assistant Priest of Newington Church, was badly hurt.

 

August 8th

On 8th August 1576, Sarah Houslay, aged 27, from Shipton(thorpe) was hanged with Edward de Satre at York Tyburn, outside Micklegate Bar, and their bodies buried near the River Foss. They were convicted of passing forged promissory notes at an inn in Leeds.

On 8th August 1586, John  Finglow or Fingley, aged 32, was executed by hanging, drawing and quartering at York for being a Catholic priest and reconciling English subjects to the Catholic church. Studied at Caius College, Cambridge, and was ordained at Reims in 1581. He was beatified in 1987 as a Catholic martyr. (baptised Barmby in the Marsh 1553)

On 8th August 1871,  William Colbeck was born in Myton Place, Hull. He took part in the first expedition to overwinter in the Antarctic, 1898-1900. Awarded Royal Geographic Society’s Back Award. Took part in the expedition to locate Captain Scott’s Discovery.  Cape Colbeck in the Ross Sea is named for him, and he is commemorated by a cream plaque in Hull. (Died 1930.)

On 8th August 1991, former Hull University student John McCarthy was released after 5 years as a hostage in  Beirut.

 

William_Colbeck_-_Southern_Cross_Expedition_1899.

August 7th

On 7th August 1385, Joan of Kent (the Fair Maid of Kent), mother of King Richard II, died, it is said, of a broken heart.  She was unable to persuade her son King Richard to pardon another son, Sir John Holland, for the murder of Ralph, son of the Earl of Stafford. Holland was in sanctuary in Beverley Minster, and the murder took place nearby, when Richard’s troops were outside Beverley, on their way to the Scottish wars. Holland was pardoned within the year.

On 7th August 1427, Pope Martin V, in reply to a petition (from the parishioners of both Aughton and Bubwith churches and Peter de la Hay), granted permission that, when they were hindered in winter by floods, snow and hail from reaching their parish churches, they could use the chapel of St James in Spaldington for mass and other offices ‘while the hindrances last’.

On 7th August 1663, Robert Hardy of Hessle was enjoined by the Archbishop of York to do penance in Hessle church for his adultery. photo shows All Saints Church, Hessle

On 7th August 1840, a Serious rail accident took place in Howden, in which 4 passengers were killed, and 9 injured. The Hull and Selby Railway had only opened in full on 1st July. The accident was the subject of the first ever report by the Board of Trade into a railway accident.All Saints, Hessle