1800's Southport Peters family mystery

[big g]

Jon

On North Meols F.H.S. there are postings re this disaster, from several folk who are related to the dead lifeboatmen.

At present I cannot post on the site, but have just re-registered in the hope I can contact the posters and put you in touch.

The postings are a couple of years old

Glenys

[lynne99]

Well done John. Alcohol is not all its cracked up to be. I gave up 34 years ago, along with smoking, so as I could fetch the kids when they needed a lift home. Don't miss it. Better things to spend my money on.
Your family history story is so wonderful. Thanks for sharing it.

[MaryA]

I'm 9 years sober.

Absolutely nothing to say you can't toast those brave ancestors of yours in orange juice

And I agree with Lynne, we've enjoyed reading about your research, keep it up.

[Hilary]

I have already offered to put Jon in touch with descendants of Ralph Peters who live in Canada for whom I did research into the family a few years ago. They are interested in making contact.

[Jon Maddox]

Thanks for all of you comments and help. I shared this picture before with the North Meols FHS but I do not think I was taken seriously. I am still a member and have tried again. I added to a post from family researching Robinson.

[Bertieone]

I do believe that the mystery of who is solved in my mind. I now have another 2 questions for myself. Do I need to prove it any further? What best to do with it?

Jon,

Even though I've convinced myself who the men are, I would still only say "Believed to be"

Others on viewing the photograph can draw their own conclusions.
Keep it, unless you feel it should be in a museum, others will be able to see the photo on here or Google images and copy.

[Jon Maddox]

Thanks Bert I am convinced also. I am unsure as yet what to do. A museum could well be the best place as the picture appears to be fading. I feel that I'm helping them home to family and feel very proud to help.

Hilary I will PM you my email address. Please do pass it on to the Canadian family.

Thank you all again for your time and help

[big g]

Have you the book written by J.Allen, new edition by Andrew Farthing;

"The Great Lifeboat Disaster of 1886" ??

Also have you contact the Liverpool Maritime Museum to see what they have on this disaster??

Glenys

[Jon Maddox]

Yes Glenys that's the book I have. I'm interested to learn of any more.
I hope to try to visit that side of the country some time in the not to distant future with my children. I am lucky that they already enjoy visiting our local museums. I can not wait to show them the places and memorials to our own history.
I also need to try to get and spend some time at Birkenhead Library looking up some dates.
It was 100 years to the day that my gt grandfather Samuel Davies from Wavertree,Liverpool was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haigs dispatch letters in France. He was awarded a certificate on behalf of the King signed by Winston Churchill. During the first world war Sam was also awarded Military Medal and Bar, and 2X Divisional Cards for distinguished conduct in the field. I don't have a personal service record as his is believed to be part of the archive that was destroyed during WW2. There's 2 books that I know of following the battalion he was with. I have been able to piece together his path between the books. In the Army&Navy publication I have following the 1/5th Cheshire's between 1914/19 he is the only man to be mentioned in 3 different award categories, 2 of those he was awarded twice.
I could not believe what I found!


Sam is pictured 1901 serving with the Cheshire Greys. He completed 2 tours in South Africa as a young man earning the Queens and Kings South Africa Medals.
I find hard to put to words how proud I am of this man. My nans dad I feel I know him well. My nan always said that he was the proudest man she ever knew. Its also hard to put to words how I feel about my Southport ancestors and the fact that they are so well remembered is moving. Sam is different because his story was almost lost like so many others. I take every opportunity I can to sing his song.

P.S. Sorry if anyone reading this is wondering the link. Sam married Ralph Peters granddaughter

[Bertieone]

Jon,

If you're going to visit, Birkenhead library or Wirral Archives, be sure to check the days and times of opening. Also a phone call prior to your visit to check if they hold the records you seek.

1902 Directory, Grange Rd West and map of the area, Drill Hall in close proximity to Samuel's area of residence.





Are you aware of this?
http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Cheshire/ ... erWar.html

[Jon Maddox]

Thank you sincerely as ever Bert. I am aware of the plaque that is at Chester. I believe it hung in Drill Hall for the rest of Sam's life after South Africa. I believe that Drill Hall was where many of the local Boxing matches were held during Sam's later life. I've been in contact with the research team at the museum. Using a 1901 newspaper presentation from the Birkenhead news I was able to help them add 23 faces to the names on that plaque. I am proud to be feeling that I possibly helped some of these men home to family. Their photos will now hopefully be linked with future research.


Chester were over the moon and offered to research for me. They found a letter that I think is very impressive written regarding Sam. There is proof that the letter is about him. It appears he was promoted to a Sergeant aged 23 after returning from South Africa for the second time.

Captain J. Bates,
Chief constable of Staybridge,
2/7/1903
To Colonel Blood, 1st. V.B.C.R.

Dear Colonel Blood,
Sergeant Davies, for whom I sent you the Kings Medal the other day, informs me that it is to be presented to him at your annual inspection in a short time from now.
I would like to express to you privately my very keen appreciation of the good services he gave as a member of the 1st and 3rd Companies.
Captain Thornley, the O.C. of the 1st Coy, had I know, the highest opinion of him, and as the O.C. of the 3rd Coy I would like to say what a valuable N.C.O. he proved himself to be in the field. He was always most energetic and thoroughly reliable and when Colonel Graham asked me to furnish the names of two men in my Coy whom I considered worthy of special distinction, Sgt Davies was the first of the two names I gave to him. That he was not mentioned in dispatches was probably due to the fact, as Mr Balfour practically stated in the house, that they had exhausted their stock of Honers by a too liberal distribution of them in the early part of the war.
Of the few Volunteers that wear the King Medal no one has won his more worthily that Sgt Davies.
Believe me, Sir,
Yours very truly,
J Bates

[Hilary]

Just to say I completely forgot to contact the Canadian Peters descendants yesterday as I was awaiting phone calls about my brother who had been rushed into hospital on Friday night. The news is much better this afternoon so I will get the email written today.

[Jon Maddox]

Sorry to hear of your family worries Hilary. I hope the news continues to improve. Thanks whenever you get chance. I don't know of any other contact for several generations back. No rush

[Jon Maddox]

Thanks to all who commented and helped with my attempt to identify these men and their stories. I do realise that I can still not be sure who they are. I do feel sure enough that museums should now hopefully be interested in my story. I'd like this to be exhibited if believed. Where is thought to be most fitting for me to be trying?

Thanks again
Jon

[Hilary]

I would suggest The Atkinson in Southport which has a museum and an art gallery.

Go to www.theatkinson.co.uk then go to About Us, then Contact us and there is an email to use if you are wanting to donate something

[Jon Maddox]

Thank you Hilary I'm feeling very proud. I've heard back from the Atkinson and they are very interested

[MaryA]

Excellent, let us know when things proceed and we can pop in to look.

[Jon Maddox]

Thank you all who helped with my research. I finally made it to that side of the country recently. I was with my youngest and he loved our walk through history. We left flowers for the anniversary of the tragedy and also delivered the picture to the Atkinson. I'm told it's on display already even though still in some doubt as to exactly who they are. I feel privileged to have helped on it's journey home.
We ate at the Fishermans Rest 130 years to the day that our ancestors were there. Strange feelings and I didn't give my 6 year son the full details. We were made to feel very welcome and at the mention of descendant given a little tour while our tasty breakfasts cooked. It really was nice there and a lovely couple who run it.
From Southport we drove through Liverpool seeing a few sights and across to Wallasey meeting up with family I hadn't seen for years. Good food and a nice night with them in New Brighton.
The next day we went to Chester military museum where we donated the 1901 newspaper presentation. I'd also decided that the military museum was the best place for his army knife. I've kept the work Knife.
I know that the memories of our deliveries, especially the military museum will stick with my son for life. We walked around the castle wall and delivered to part of the castle itself. They had an engraved silver teapot out ready to show us that was given to Sam by the men he fought alongside in 1916. It looks like my boy won the FA cup pictured with it.
Its nice to know that if anyone in future researches Samuel Davies 1880 born Wavertree they can now find a little collection of his stuff in Chester.
I feel honored to have played a small part.

Thank you all again for your help with the photo




http://s1268.photobucket.com/user/Jon_M ... g.html?o=0

[Bertieone]

Well done, Jon.

[MaryA]

What an adventure, well done and wonderful for your son to remember. Thanks for telling us the tale.