On 19th November 1484, Thomas Squirry, husbandman of Leven, claimed sanctuary at the church of St John, Beverley, for killing John Hewlyn.
On 19th November 1855, Henry Holmes and John Combes, crew members of the Spurn lifeboat, drowned in stormy weather attempting to rescue the schooner Zabina on the Binks, River Humber.
On 11th July 1843, Archdeacon Wilberforce preached the last ever sermon in St Faith’s church, Leven, before it was demolished, leaving only the chancel, which was itself demolished in 1882.
On 11th July 1941, Special Constable George Brignall Marshall, aged 54, was killed in Hull by enemy action whilst on duty with East Riding of Yorkshire Constabulary during an air raid. Damage north of Paragon station and a major fire at Blundell Spence factory. 20 other people died, and 46 were seriously injured.
On 9th July 1905, Robert Skilling, Hull chauffeur, caused possibly Hornsea’s first motoring offence, when under the influence of drink, he drove at 20mph from Market Place into Newbegin without sounding his horn. About 200 people who had just come out of the parish church, had to scatter. At Leven Petty Sessions Skilling was fined £3.
On 9th July 1915, Albert Baxter, private, and former Reckitt’s employee, died in action with the East Yorkshire Regiment and is buried in RE Farm Cemetery, Heuvelland.
On 9th July 1952, Henry Saunderson, aged 13, the son of the skipper of the Cape Duner, was a cadet at the Boulevard Nautical School who joined his father for a pleasure trip during the summer break, and was lost overboard. His father presented a cup in his memory at the school’s prizegiving day.
On 26th May 1492, William Gypson, labourer, of Holme on Spalding Moor, claimed sanctuary at the church of St John, Beverley, to avoid (or delay) being pursued for debt.
On 26th May 1711, Leven carpenter Thomas Newton claimed the right to raise funds from his neighbours when his shop was destroyed by a fire which started in Matthew Borman’s blacksmith shop next door.
On 26th May 1787, the Royal Navy purchased the collier Bethia, built 3 years earlier at the Blaydes shipyard in High Street, Hull. Renamed the Bounty, it was refitted and equipped for a trip to Tahiti under Captain William Bligh. photo shows a model of the ship in Blaydes House.
On 26th May 1872, David Walker, aged 19, burgled the house of Henry Robinson in Carnaby and was sentenced to 5 years penal servitude, i.e. imprisonment with hard labour.
On 26th May 1929, Lilian Bilocca was born in Hull. She campaigned for safety improvements to trawlers after the Triple Trawler Disaster. (died 1988)
On 26th May 1946, Mick Ronson was born in Hull. Musician, songwriter, arranger, producer, member of Bowie’s Spiders from Mars. (died 29.4.1993)
On 21st May 1801, Charlotta Bethell of Rise succeeded in getting an Act of Parliament to create the Leven Canal passed. (photo shows canal today)
On 21st May 1891, Sir Henry Cooper, physician and Mayor of Hull died aged 84. Local doctor who campaigned to improve living conditions before the cholera outbreak of 1847; urged the council to build decent homes for working people and offered to raise £2,000 himself if others would do the same.
On 21st May 1900, 4 days after the lifting of the siege of Mafeking, Hull’s Grosvenor Restaurant served a celebration menu reflecting the Boer War, with items such as ‘Kromeskies a la Baden Powell’, cod with Transvaal sauce, nonsuch tart a la Kitchener, and red, white and blue blancmange. Villagers at Nafferton celebrated the news with church bells, bands, a parade, dancing, followed by burning an effigy of Kruger stuffed with fireworks.
On 21st May 1927, English actress Kay Kendall was born at Withernsea; she died at the early age of 32, and a museum of her life was created in Withernsea Lighthouse.
Hull & East Yorkshire History Calendar 