Friday 29 August 2014

"Exciting Scenes" at William Haigh's Funeral - Bard Street Sheffield 1926

I came across this cutting from The Manchester Guardian dated 26th August 1926


I am unsure that the word "exciting" in appropriate in this context given that two women were seriously injured. Terrible may have been a better word in this context.I must admit that the name of the deceased raised a slight smile

Bard Street incidentally is in the Park district of Sheffield - the street is still there but much altered since the events described in the report

Wednesday 27 August 2014

Ralph Skelton (1816-1877) - Attercliffe, Sheffield

I came across this memorial a few years ago. It is dedicated to the life and works of a Mr Ralph Skelton and is situated in the churchyard in Attercliffe

When I finally got around to researching Ralph, I came across this article on a genealogy site that appears to be written by a descendent of the family. It gives an excellent description of Ralph's family.

"Ralph SKELTON: -Buried: 20 MAY 1877, Sheffield, Attercliffe Cemetery
Ralph Skelton (Spade & Shovel Maker aged 61), buried 20 May 1877 in Consecrated Ground, Grave 2172, Section D, Attercliffe Cemetery, Sheffield. (Source: Sheffield Indexers).
Notes:
1851 census, Spade Maker aged 35 with wife Frances and 3 children + servant Sarah Bagnall aged 12, at School Hill, Attercliffe Cum Darnall, Sheffield. Ref: 2342/folio 510/page 49.
1861 census, Shovel maker employing 6 men & 6 boys, aged 45 with wife Frances and 3 children + Chas & Sarah Cooper, at 19 Church Street, Attercliffe Cum Darnall, Sheffield. Ref: 3500/folio 115/page 20.
1871 census, Spade & Shovel Maker aged 55 with 2nd wife Elizabeth (nee' Tyler) and 3 children + son in law John Maltby, at 27 Church Street, Attercliffe cum Darnall. Ref: 4699/folio 93/page 54".
 

Monday 18 August 2014

Man Killed by a Mouse Sheffield October 1928 - Another Seriously Injured

The report is again from the Manchester Guardian dated 31st October 1928. Unfortunately it does not give the name of the deceased or his colleague who was severely injured or even where the incident took place. All we know is that the lorry was parked on an incline which is not really that helpful considering the topography of Sheffield, and that the two victims worked for the Corporation.


Similarly the names of the two screaming women are not noted which is a shame. It is a case that I hope to investigate further the next time I am in the Local Studies Library

The Bravery of Blanche Deffley - Ford Ridgeway Sheffield 1928

I've just posted an article to the site about the terrifying death of Alice Deffley who was the daughter of the licensee of the Bridge Inn at Ford Ridgeway Sheffield.

Blanche Deffley died on Friday 8th August 2014. Her funeral is on Thursday 21st August 2014 at Hutcliffe Wood Crematorium

I came across the report of the tragedy on 18th August 2014. Co-incidence?   

Anthrax at Sheffield - Shaving Brushes Suspected - Summer 1916

I came across this article whilst I was researching material for our last book "Long Shadows Over Sheffield". I was astounded to say the least!

The cutting is from the Manchester Guardian dated 26th August 1916. It appears from the report that a man actually died in March from anthrax which he contracted from a shaving brush. The person who contracted the disease in August recovered but the threat remained. It is interesting to note that the blame was placed firmly on cheap foreign imports. Nothing ever changes!

Incidentally Sheffield Trading Standards have a fact-sheet on Anthrax but fail to mention shaving brushes

Friday 8 August 2014

The Grave of Thomas Armitage - Walkey Cemetery


Photo taken Sunday 6th July 2014

Thomas Armitage was a professional footballer for Sheffield Wednesday F.C. who died on New Year's Eve 1923, after suffering an injury whilst playing for Sheffield Wednesday Reserve team against Rotherham United Reserves on Xmas Day 1923. It is a magnificent memorial with a laced football carved into the base plinth.

His brother Len also started his soccer career at Sheffield Wednesday before moving on to Leeds United, Wigan Borough, Stoke City, Rhyl, and Port Vale