No Christmas Tree!

Here's a poem which was published in the Chronicle in the early 1950s. It seem that the Ards Borough Council of that time had taken a decision to not have a Christmas tree in the square in Newtownards, and that there was a "campaign" in the Chronicle to have the Council change its decision. As usual, William was at the forefront of the issue - he was often a thorn in the flesh of the local politicians!

No Christmas Tree!

No Christmas tree in Conway Square!
The prospect is both bleak and bare:
They’re not erecting one this year,
A sight to gladden and to cheer.

No Christmas tree in Conway Square!
The councillors don’t seem to care,
No Christmas hymns and carols too,
Our Christmas joys are far too few.

No Christmas tree in Conway Square!
No Christmas spirit in the air,
I hope they listen to the plea:
“Erect once more a Christmas tree.”

No Christmas tree in Conway Square!
No season of goodwill shared there;
No spirit of festivity
Around a lighted Christmas tree.

No Christmas tree in Conway Square!
To one and all it’s most unfair;
For people come from far and near -
The Christmas spirit draws them here.

No Christmas tree in Conway Square!
The councillors’ views we do not share,
The “Chronicle” people make it plain,
They speak for Ards folk once again.

A Christmas tree in Conway Square,
The Christmas spirit in the air;
In Newtownards at Christmastide
The Ards Peninsula takes a pride.

A Christmas tree in Conway Square,
The people come from everywhere;
It brings prosperity to the town -
No councillor should turn this down.

A Christmas tree in Conway Square,
It tells of One who came to share
Our joys and sorrows while down here,
His name, Emmanuel, most dear.

Then plant a tree in Conway Square,
And decorate it bright and fair;
For memories of it will live on
When borough councillors are gone.

A Christmas tree in Conway Square!
In winter’s cold and chilly air,
Would breathe a hope for coming days;
Its message cheers us on our ways.

A Christmas tree in Conway Square,
The Christmas spirit in the air;
A season of festivity -
Why not erect a Christmas tree?

The Donaghadee Lifeboat at the 12th

I took this photo on the 12th July at Portavogie, of LOL 836 Bro Henry Ferguson Memorial Orange Lodge from Donaghadee. As you can see their banner has a painting of the local lifeboat, with the message "Oh hear us when we cry to Thee, for those in peril on the sea"

New Poem Discovered!

My uncle John called round tonight with a photocopy of another one of Granda's poems, about the Princess Victoria disaster again, which was given to him by Roberta McKee of Ballyeasborough.

It had been printed in the Chronicle (obviously sometime between the sinking in 1953 and William's death in 1957). It's untitled, but here it is:

.........................

This motor vessel left Stranraer
To cross the short sea route to Larne
But very soon the mountainous seas
Had caused this noble ship much harm

She soon heeled over on her side
The SOS message told its tale
And ships went racing to her aid
Alas it was of no avail

And Coxswain Young from Cloughey shore
With brave Hugh Nelson from the 'Dee
A lifeboat from Portpatrick, too
Were out there on that angry sea

The call came to abandon ship
A few miles from the Irish coast
In spite of all the rescue work
A few were saved and many lost

Sir Walter Smiles was on the boat
And Major Maynard Sinclair too
Thus two of Ulster's noblest sons
Have passed on from our mortal view

The search went on and aeroplanes
Assisted by destroyers too
They searched the sea for miles around
Snow blizzards hiding all from view

And many victims of the sea
Were brought to shore from day to day
And Ulster mourns their tragic fate
And would its silent homage pay

We humbly commend to God
The many homes of grief and pain
When death divides, may He reunite
Where there is no more sea, again!

Private James Thompson, R.I.R of Kirkistown, killed at the Somme, aged 20

With the Battle of the Somme commemorations next week, I thought this would be a relevant poem to post here. As far as I know he was my grandfather's cousin.

In Loving Memory of our Dear Son
Private James Thompson, R.I.R of Kirkistown

Who was killed in action at the Battle of the Somme at Thiepval
on 1st July 1916, aged 20 years
“What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter” -
John 13 v 7

A loved one has been called away
He’s in our midst no more
In a land afar his body lies
Far from his native shore

He bade us all a last farewell
A happy brave “Good-bye”
And with the gallant few went forth
To suffer and to die

Upon the first day of July
Amidst the shot and shell
‘Twas in the battle of the Somme
He in the conflict fell

What anguish fills each fainting heart
And many cheeks grow pale
And in that sorrow-stricken home
How many mourn and wail

None in that home shall e’er forget
The one so bright and fair
Who young in years were called away
Now sits a vacant chair

No one was near when in that hour
He breathed his latest breath
But Jesus led him gently on
Thro’ the dark vale of death

He answered not the roll call here
But in that world so fair
When Jesus calls the roll above
He’ll not be missing there

We know ‘twas in that solemn hour
His spirit took its flight
To dwell with God above the skies
In realms of love and light

Oh, sorrow not, but cast your care
On Christ, the Unfailing One,
Who ever doeth all things well
And say “Thy will be done”

Let this a warning be to all
To cease their sinful strife
Thy soul may be required of thee
Escape thou for the life

Oh, be prepared to meet thy God
This warning he doth give
Consider now your latter end
Believe and thou shall live

And then, where parting is unknown,
All sorrow shall be o’er
For strife and conflict never come
On yonder happy shore.


Note: according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the memorial of rifleman James Thompson of the Royal Irish Rifles (A Company, 13th Battalion) is at Thiepval, Pier and Face 15A and 15B. His parents are recorded as William and Margaret Thompson, Kirkistown, Kirkcubbin.

Some of David Martin's Photographs

With thanks to the Newtownards Chronicle and the Newtownards Spectator for the publicity this week.
.............

Press Release:

Cloughey Lifeboat photographs discovered!

The recent publication of the book “William Thompson - Low Country Poems” has unearthed yet more Ards Peninsula lifeboat history! David Martin of Calhame Road in Cloughey was amazed to see picture of himself on page 58 of the book – he was the driver of the tractor which towed the lifeboat down to the water when she was being launched. So David got in touch with John Thompson (the poet’s son), and they met up – David brought with him an amazing collection of rare photographs of the Cloughey lifeboats and their many crews.

David worked with the Cloughey lifeboat for 20 years, up until the service was closed down in 1966. Ever since then he has assembled a wonderful photographic archive, and he knew many of the people who feature in the photographs in the book.

A free copy of the book has been donated to the library of every school in the Ards Peninsula. The Thompson family would be delighted to hear from anyone who has information about the poems and the Cloughey lifeboat.

Some of David’s photographs can now be seen on the project’s website http://.www.williamthompsonpoems.blogspot.com

............


John Thompson and David Martin looking at some of the photographs, in John's kitchen in Portavogie, Saturday 5th April 2008:


Clipping from the Belfast News Letter, Thursday June 19, 1952. The Constance Calverley arrives at Cloughey:


The official launch of the Constance Calverley, August 1952:


The official launch of the Constance Calverley, August 1952:


The Constance Calverley on her way to the stricken Princess Victoria, January 1953:


The Constance Calverley at Belfast City Hall, May 1955, as part of a fundraiser for "Lifeboat Week":


David Martin drives the tractor, circa 1960:


After meeting David and taking the photos, Jacob (my son) and I went down to the memorial to the Cloughey Lifeboat, at Cloughey car park on the sand dunes:


Close-up of Jacob by the memorial:


These are just a few of the many photographs in David's collection; thanks to him for getting in touch with us and sharing them. David owns the copyright on all of his photographs and they must not be reproduced without his permission.

Three of the original booklets

Here are the scanned covers of three of William's poetry booklets, which he sold door-to-door around the Ards Peninsula to raise money for the Cloughey lifeboat. These were kindly donated by Bertie Kelly of Portavogie who had kept them since he was a boy.

The Book is Launched!

Pic of Glen and me, with Emma Gibson, Fundraising Manager of RNLI and two of the Donaghadee lifeboat crew. Simon from Harrison Photography took this shot a few Fridays ago.

This will be sent to the press later this week, so keep an eye on the local papers!

We're also sending a free copy to every school on the Peninsula - hopefully some of them might run a lifeboat-related competition, which the RNLI have agreed to help with and judge.

The Book's on Blue Peter!

BBC TV were in touch with Glen a few weeks ago for copyright permission to read extracts from the book on the tv show. It's already on Blue Peter presenter Andy Akinwolere's 4th March 08 video blog entry! Click here to see the short clip - it even mentions Glen's kids Lucy and Evan - it was them that sent the book to Blue Peter in the first place!

Nancy Bryson - "Heroine of the Princess Victoria"

William wrote some poems about the sinking of the Princess Victoria , which sank on 31st January 1953, with 133 lives lost - the worst maritime disaster in the UK since World War 2. (There was a memorial service held at Larne last week to mark the 55th anniversary of the sinking).

The photo here is by Phillip Byrne, and shows the Princess Victoria monument at Larne, taken on the day of the memorial service

....................

Heroine of the Princess Victoria

It was a day of tragedy near Ulster’s lovely shore,
When many hoped to see the land, saw it again no more,
For precious lives were lost upon that tragic day -
Upon a wild and stormy sea where death alone held sway.

The “Princess Victoria” left Stranraer for dear old Ireland,
Her Captain was James Ferguson, who then was in command.
On leaving fair Lough Ryan to cross the sea to Larne
This noble vessel from the seas soon came to grief and harm.

The tempest raged on fiercely, there were snow blizzards, too,
The vessel soon heeled over and she was hid from view;
Her radio operator sent his message far and near,
While those on board the doomed ship were all distraught with fear.

There was a lady missionary on board the ship that day
Intent on visiting Erin to enjoy a pleasant stay;
Ere she returned to Africa’s land, where for twenty years or more
She laboured for the Lord, ere she saw her native shore.

Her name was Nancy Bryson, and she lost her life that day,
Her body was recovered from the waters of the bay –
Identified, and laid to rest, her labours at an end,
A ministering angel on that ship, the little children’s friend.

The last few hours of her life were gladly given o’er
In bringing consolation to hearts now sad and sore;
She spoke of Jesus and His love, and all His power to save,
She told the tale of heaven and home, and life beyond the grave.

As Nancy Bryson spoke those words to many a troubled heart
Who soon would bid each one farewell, as death must soon them part,
She saw the power of Jesus’ name, to calm and bring relief
To troubled hearts in sorrow, and in the hour of grief.

As Nancy Bryson told the tale of Jesus’ wondrous love
We know that many passed that day into the home above.
Where there is no more sorrow, no parting, and no sea,
Upon whose shore no storm will beat through all Eternity.

Tho’ Nancy Bryson has passed on, ‘tis true she speaketh still,
Her fame has gone through all the world, and surely ever will.
God had her there on purpose, upon that ship that day,
To point the soul to Jesus, the true and living way.

The husband and the children, though parted from her here,
Now miss her tender presence, her words of hope and cheer;
But in God’s happy heaven, where partings all are o’er
The death divided shall clasp hands, where death divides no more.

Dear Nancy Bryson feared not death upon the ocean wave,
Her trust was in the Saviour, who triumphed o’er the grave;
Her mind was kept in perfect peace, until her work was done –
The “Princess Victoria” heroine, if ever there was one.

The lifeboatmen were all intent and eager for to save,
Yet in spite of all their efforts many found a watery grave:
From Cloughey and Portpatrick, and the village of the ‘Dee,
These Coxswains braved the terrors of that wild, tempestuous sea.

My simple tale has now been told of Nancy Bryson’s fame,
So that your trust, dear reader, may be in Jesus’ name;
And when our day is ended, and life’s short voyage o’er,
We’ll anchor in that haven where tempests howl no more.

Her name was missing from the list of those saved from the sea,
But in the Book of Life ‘tis found, “Saved for Eternity”.
This noble woman was the Lord’s, in life, as well as death,
And sought to comfort all on board until her latest breath.

This tragedy of the sea has led to a Newtownards Flag Day,
So support the Institution and support it generously.
We have two Lifeboat Stations, one in Cloughey and the ‘Dee –
They give their service freely, these heroes of the sea.

..................

You can view stills and watch a video clip of the Pathé News footage of the scenes at Donaghadee harbour, during the rescue operation, here . You can download a free 2 minute preview clip of survivors on the quayside, and also of some bodies being brought ashore on the lifeboat.

History of the Cloughey Lifeboat Station

William's poems were sold to raise money for the new lifeboat at Cloughey. Here's a history of the Cloughey lifeboat, kindly supplied by the RNLI. (copyright on this article belongs to the RNLI):

..................................................

The Graveyard of the East Coast
Station Historical Notes
Cloughey, Co Down (1885-1965)
Cloughey-Portavogie, Co Down (1965-1981)

• The Station was established by the Institution in 1885.

• The meaning of the word "Cloughey" is "The Stony Place" and this rightly describes the coastline around the bay which is composed of rough and jagged rocks which have claimed many a gallant ship and crew. The shore from Ballyhalbert to Millisle has often been referred to as "the graveyard of the east coast".

• Cloughey lifeboat coxswains are always Young! Every coxswain since the establishment of the station in 1885 until George Young reverted to Motor Mechanic in 1954 was a Young (except for the period 1916-1919).

• 1908 - On 14 November the lifeboat rescued the crew of 26 of the barque Croisset of Rouen. The French Government awarded Gold Medals to the coxswain and the chief officer of coastguard, Silver Medals to the rest of the crew, and an Aneroid Barometer to the Honorary Secretary (Mr J McMullan).

•1913 - Decided that the practice of using horses be discontinued and that in future the boat and her carriage be transported by means of manual labour.

•1924 - Bronze Medal awarded to Acting Coxswain Andrew Young for the rescue of 5 persons from the Brig Helgoland which had run ashore on 11 January 1924. The coxswain of the lifeboat was away from the station; the second coxswain, his brother, was dying but a third doctor Andrew, left his brother's bedside to take charge of the lifeboat. The Helgoland had sunk and the crew were in the rigging. She lay surrounded by rocks and the night was very dark. There was a strong SSE gale and showers of sleet and hail. Andrew Young found on his return that his brother had died two hours after the lifeboat had been launched.

•1937 - A fire at the building yard of Messrs Groves & Guttridge, Cowes, destroyed a new lifeboat for Cloughey that was waiting to be shipped to her station.

•1939 - On 9 May the s.s. Arantzazu-Mendi of Bilbao went aground on Butter Paddy Shoals outside Kearney Point. Efforts were made to salve her and on 17 June there was a salvage party on board when the weather changed. Seas 15ft high were breaking over the steamer and were sweeping clean over her after part from which everything movable had been swept away. The 11 men on board were on the fore deck knee deep in water. For this rescue of the 11 men, Coxswain Robert Young was awarded the Silver Medal and Motor Mechanic George Young the Bronze Medal.

•1950 - Two ex-coxswains, Andrew Young (80) and his brother John (75), were drowned when their fishing coble Ricia was lost on 25 May.

• Coxswain George Young was accorded the Vellum Thanks for the rescue of the crew of seven of the South Rock light-vessel on 3 February.

•1955 - Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum accorded to Coxswain Walter Semple for the rescue of 11 persons from the Norwegian m.v. Roskva on 21 January.

•1962 - Coxswain Walter Semple was awarded the Bronze Medal for the rescue of five people from the Dutch m.v. Frida Blokzul on 7 March.

•1965 - ON 857 stationed at Portavogie on 26 November and ON 902 stationed at Cloughey was withdrawn and the station closed.

•1978 - Lifeboat station closed from 26 October because of extensive redevelopment at Portavogie Harbour. Lifeboat ON 857 stored at Robertson's Yard, Sandbank.

•1981 - Station permanently closed in July.

..................................................

Coxswains
Frank Young 1885-1890

John Young (1) Oct 1890-18/4/06 (Brother of Frank above)

Robert Young 19/4/06-9/10/1916 (Brother of Frank and John above)

Hugh Palmer 10/10/16-3/10/19

John Young (2) 17/10/19-30/10/27 (Son of John Young (1))

Andrew Young 25/11/27-31/12/35 (Brother of John (2))

Robert Young 1/1/36-29/8/49 (Nephew of John (1))

George Young 30/8/49-30/6/54 (Grandson of John (1))

Walter Semple 1/6/54-31/3/66

John Donnan 1/4/66-23/2/79

..................................................

Lifeboats

Faith (1885 - 1906) 54 lives rescued
John (1906 - 1931) 131 lives rescued
William Maynard (1931 - 1939) 36 lives rescued
Herbert John (1939 - 1952) 67 lives rescued
Constance Calverley (1952 - 1965) 21 lives rescued - this was the lifeboat William's poems helped to fund
Glencoe Glasgow (1965 - 1978) 27 lives rescued

..................................................

Coroner's Inquest into Robert's Drowning

I was sent the following report yesterday by a very helpful Gloucester Library, who keep copies of all the old local newspapers. It makes for sad reading, and shows what happens when a wee country boy from a Christian home gets into the wrong company. I'm sure Robert, and thousands of young men like him at the time, went to sea full of hope and excitement. Never did he think he'd end up drunk and dead, lying cold on a stretcher near a goods shed on a far-off quayside, aged just 20.

I wonder if Robert's parents were ever sent this information at the time? We will probably never know.

.........................................................

From the Gloucester Citizen, Monday 13th March 1911

DROWNED IN THE CANAL AT GLOUCESTER
Inquest on an Irish sailor
The Coroner and Waterside Chains

The Coroner for the City of Gloucester (Mr Charles Scott) held an inquest at the Lower George Hotel, Gloucester, on Saturday evening, into the circumstances attending the death of Robert Thompson (20), able seaman, of Ballyfrench, Co. Down, Ireland, employed on the steamship, Ashford, who was drowned in the Berkeley and Sharpness Canal near Gloucester Docks on Friday night.



John McCleod, of Glasgow, steward and cook on SS Ashford, stated that on Friday the ship was lying at the Great Western Wharf. Thompson went ashore about 6 o’clock, and witness followed about 8.30. They met in the Ducie Arms (nb, if you click here you'll see that the Ducie Arms in Longsmith Street, Gloucester, was described at the time as "...being frequented by women of bad character... that drunken persons were seen coming out at closing time, that there was filthy language, fighting, general disorderly behaviour and indecency outside..."), where there were also several of the other men employed on the ship. They left the house together at 11 o’clock when Thompson was rather the worse for liquor. (The image above is of a drink token from the Ducie Arms)

When they reached the Great Western Wharf Thompson was a few yards in front of the witness, and the others were a little distance behind. When they were about 60 yards from the ship Thompson crossed the railway line, between the trucks, and walked along the quay wall, witness losing sight of him owing to the trucks being between them.

Shortly afterwards witness heard a splash, and immediately ran to the side of the canal, when he saw Thompson in the water. He shouted to him to catch hold of a chain which was hanging from the wall, and ran along the quay to find a rope or a buoy. He met Harding, the crane man, who procured a rope, and they returned to the place where the man had fallen in, but could not see him. It was nearly an hour and a half before they discovered the body.

William John Harding, crane driver, in the company of GWR Company, living at 10, Carmarthen Street, Gloucester, stated that he was on duty at the Great Western Wharf at 11.30pm on Friday night when he heard shouting, and going in the direction of the sound, he met the last witness, who told him what had happened. He looked into the water, and saw a splash, as though from the man’s arm, and then ran and fetched a rope. When he returned there was no sign of the man. He then ran to Llanthony Bridge, where there were several of the other sailors belonging to the ship. He told them of the occurrence, and they procured a drag, and hastened to the spot. They dragged where they had last seen Thompson, and recovered the body in about an hour and a half.

In reply to the juryman, witness said there were no chains running along the quay wall, but there were ladders going down to the water’s edge at intervals.

The Coroner: “If there were chains running along the wall near the water’s edge a good many lives might be saved, but they have not got them. The question has been raised many times, but they will not put them.”

Replying to other questions, witness said there were lamps in the yard, but they were always turned out as soon as the men had finished work on the ships. The night was dark and rainy.

P.C. Conduit was informed of the accident when on duty at the Cross at 2.35pm on Saturday. He proceeded to the Docks, and saw deceased on a stretcher near the goods sheds. He tried to revive the man without success.

The jury received a verdict of accidental drowning. The foreman, Mr R T Manning, suggested that a rider should be added referring to the necessity for a horizontal chain along the quay wall.

The Coroner said he had tried over and over again to get a chain of this kind fixed, but his efforts had been fruitless.

A juryman: “They have one in the Docks”

The Coroner: “I know, but there was a great objection to that. If you have chains you must have rings to which to fasten them, and when ships go alongside the wall they scrape against them and get damaged. I think they have found out now – though it took them a good many years – that this objection can be overcome by putting pieces of wood round the rings. However, I will write a letter to the railway company and call their attention to it.”

end.

Robert's Grave and the visit to Gloucester

We took a bit of time out from staying with Hilary's family in England to drive to Gloucester to find Robert Thompson's grave. It's hardly any surprise that there is no grave marked - he was buried in the common ground in Tredworth Road Cemetery. In physical terms it's just a big grassy area at the corner of the cemetery, but the office there has a detailed map of the plots so we could work out reasonably accurately where his remains lie. Interestingly he's buried in the Catholic area - I wonder what the family would have made of that back in 1911 if they'd known!

He was buried in Plot 3010A, and his funeral service was held by a Mr E Bodenham. listed in the records as a "Lay Missionary". So we laid some flowers on the spot, planted a wee sod of grass from Ballyfrench that Fred had dug up for me the Sunday before, and took some photos.


Then we went down into Gloucester, to see Llanthony Dock (which the cemetery records said was exactly where he drowned). It's now the location of the National Waterways Museum for Britain, and (ironically) has lots of lifebuoys along the dockside. Maybe there weren't any lifebuoys there in 1911. Robert may well have walked down this dockside, only to be dragged back along it a short time later as a lifeless corpse. So I'm now wondering if there are local newspaper reports of his death held in the Gloucester libraries?


The pic below is of Jacob and Maggie Jane at the Museum (sadly for them the cafe and gift shop were both closed!) - Hilary and Charlie were snoozing in the car.