Heroic Harry - More facts from William Henry Orwin’s life.

My last blog was about my great uncle William Henry Orwin and his First World War experiences. Whilst searching through the British Newspaper Archives I discovered some more heroic deeds from his life that I would like to share with you. At the end of the war he returned to his family in Hull after his harrowing time as a Prisoner of War in Germany. On the 16th May 1921 his father William Orwin passed away after suffering a Haemorrhage, he was only 54 years old. Being the eldest son, Harry became the man of the house, his younger brother Arthur was only 12 years old. Harry’s occupation was Stevedore, that is someone who works at the docks loading and unloading ships. Harry was in the employ of the Bulk Oil Steamship Co. Ltd.

At the end of 1923 he married Anne Margaret Fox and a year later on the 4th October 1924 their first child was born, Joyce Theresa Orwin. At the beginning of 1927 their second daughter was born, Dora Anne Patricia Orwin. A couple of months after Dora’s birth the family decided to take a little break together with some of their extended family. It was a sunny Whitsuntide weekend in June 1927 so they decided to rent a Houseboat on the River Hull, they were located near a little place called Hull Bridge which is a few miles outside of Beverley.

According to a report in the Hull Daily Mail, Whit Monday, 7th June 1927 “Hull Bridge near Beverley was the scene of some thrilling rescues on Monday evening when a rowing boat containing a party of holiday makers suddenly turned turtle. Fortunately there were a number of houseboats about and the whole party were saved from drowning.” According to the article the members of the party were - Mr & Mrs West of 24 Bourne Street, Hull and their two children, Harold 4 and Stella 2. (This was Anne Fox’s sister and her husband and children) Mr & Mrs Ainley of New George Street, Hull and their daughter Sadie 3. Mr Reuben Waddington of Grange Street, Hull. Mrs Teresa Orwin of 28 Bourne Street, Hull (Harry’s Mother) Dora Morfit, aged 1 of Symons Street, Hull (Harry’s niece). Mrs Alice M Lilley and her five year old daughter Jocelyn and another gentleman. Mr William Henry Orwin, 28, Stevedore, of Bourne Street who alone was responsible for saving the lives of six or seven of the party. As can be seen several of the party were family to Harry and the others were maybe friends or neighbours.

To quote further from the Newspaper report which describes in perfect detail what happened. “Shortly after 5’0 clock on Monday at Hull Bridge, 2 miles out of Beverley the party of holiday makers were about to go for a row in a small boat. As the boat was about to start a gentleman of rather weighty proportions stepped aboard and the little boat immediately turned turtle, throwing the occupants into the water. The depth of the river at that point is said to be about 20 ft deep. “ I was sat in a houseboat near by” declared Mr Orwin “When someone shouted” He immediately went out and was horrified to see the neighbouring boat upside down and the party including his Mother in the water. “I jumped in after them and as soon as I got in I heard my Mother shouting for me - I got hold of her, I think I saved about six or seven.” “When I was holding my Mother, Mrs West and I noticed Mrs Ainley drifting down the river, so I dived after her, I did not think I could swim so fast, there was a strong current at the time.” When the accident occurred it was fortunate that there were a number of other boats nearby. The occupants gave valuable assistance, one of the rescuers was a young mid shipman who plunged in from the opposite bank. After the whole party had been recovered from the water they were taken aboard the neighbouring houseboats where they were supplied with blankets and hot drinks. Drenched to the skin, Orwin and the three men of the party drove back to Hull in a motor and after effecting a quick change returned to Hull Bridge with dry clothing for the remainder of the party. None of the party appear to be much the worse for their “ducking” except Mrs Orwin senior, who lies in bed suffering from shock and her son William who caught a severe chill and is practically speechless.”

Shortly after this article appeared in the Newspaper a thankyou letter was also published from one of the rescued. It is titled ‘The Unlucky Thirteen’

“Sir - Will you please allow me a little space - I would like to thank Mr H. Orwin for dragging my daughter Josie and myself safely to the bank, and also the man who assisted us to a houseboat and then put my daughter in blankets. I also thank Mrs Wilkinson for her kindness and the occupants of other houseboats for hot drinks and dry clothing etc. “ Alice M. Lilley 11 June 1927 Funnily enough the report of the boating accident wasn’t just reported in the Hull Daily Mail but was also reported in several other Newspapers throughout Britain, so it was real national news.

Sadly Harry’s second heroic rescue attempt wasn’t as successful, this occurred a year later in February 1928 and was at the docks were Harry worked. The accident occurred at about 8.30 in the morning, 42 year old George Hirst, a foreman of the Trent Navigation Company was superintending the removal of tinned fruit when he apparently slipped and fell into the water between the side of the quay and the forepart of the S.S. Hull Trader which was discharging bulk oil at the time. Stevedore Harry Orwin and Seaman Harold Hill who where aboard the S.S. Hull Trader at the time, heard the shouting and lowered themselves over the side to where Hirst was struggling. They got hold of him but Hill lost his hold and also fell into the dock and being unable to swim was soon in difficulty himself. Orwin was unable to hold Hirst alone and the latter Orwin states “sank like a stone” probably through the suction of the vessel. Hill managed to grab hold of the rope on which he had been lowered and was pulled on board the ship in a very weak condition. Hirst’s body was later brought to the surface and though artificial respiration was applied and the man was hurried to the Royal Infirmary he was found to be dead on arrival. Even though this was a very sad outcome Harry had been prepared to risk his life to save the man.

It is fascinating what you can find in old Newspaper reports that can give more colour to our ancestors lives. Through the report about the boating accident I was able to see that my Great Grandmother enjoyed having a day out with the family, even if this activity almost ended in disaster! She had her one year old granddaughter with her, daughter of her eldest daughter Dora, thankfully this young child was also safely rescued. My Mum was born in August 1926, she would have been 9 months old at the time, I have no idea whether her parents Herbert and Violet Orwin where also there in one of the other Houseboats with their three children or maybe they had decided to stay at home with such a young child.