Part 7

The “_Rohilla_” was on her way to Dunkirk to bring back the wounded, and at ten minutes to four on the morning of October 30th, 1914, she struck on submerged rocks in the vicinity of Whitby. Within half a mile of land she broke in two, and was battered to pieces in the presence of thousands of spectators, who, for the most part, were helpless. The dangerous proximity of the vessel to land was first noticed by a sentry on night duty on the pier head at Whitby, who was astonished to see a large vessel loom up out of the darkness and pass silently within a few yards of the pier.

Almost simultaneously a coastguard sighted the vessel and recognised her peril as she skirted the submerged rocks which stretch from the foot of the south cliff. Half a mile further on, within a few hundred yards of a curious promontory known as Saltwick Nab, the vessel struck the rocks with a grinding crash. Rockets were at once sent up and the alarm raised. The vessel was about 500 yards from the cliff and in as helpless a position for rescue as could be imagined. It was impossible to launch the larger of the two lifeboats from Whitby Harbour or to drag it under the lee of the cliffs to a more favourable position, and all attempts of the Rocket Brigade to establish communication with the vessel were unavailing.

The smaller lifeboat was, however, dragged along the beach towards Saltwick Nab and a favourable position found for launching. Meanwhile one of the “_Rohilla’s_” boats had been lowered, and after a severe buffeting, reached the shore with the second officer and five of the crew. The rescue of the remainder seemed assured as the boat had brought a line from the steamer, but to the dismay of the onlookers this snapped before any use could be made of it.

Then an attempt was made with the lesser of the Whitby lifeboats. In spite of the very heavy sea they reached the wreck, and, thanks to the admirable seamanship of the coxswain, took off seventeen of the survivors, including the whole of the women on board--five. In this boat were Privates Rediough and Waterworth. A second trip was made and eighteen more were rescued and safely landed, but the boat was found to have been so battered by the double journey as to render her unseaworthy, and further attempts were impossible.

Word was sent for the Upgang lifeboat, but before this arrived it was clear the “_Rohilla_” was breaking up. About 10 a.m. an unusually large wave swept the wreck and when the foam had cleared away it was seen that the stern had turned turtle, and there was no trace of a number of men who, a few minutes before, had been clinging to that portion of the ship. The bows were also settling down and all the men left alive on the vessel were clustered on the bridge.

The Upgang lifeboat, which had been dragged through the town, was lowered over the cliffs, but it was then deemed impossible to launch her. Darkness fell at 5 o’clock. It was a night of horror. Saturday morning saw the superstructure of the “_Rohilla_” still above water with its tragic load. Attempts were made by several--among them, it subsequently transpired, one or two of the Barnoldswick men--to swim ashore, but few succeeded. An attempt by the Upgang lifeboat to reach the wreck failed, and the continued inability of the Rocket Brigade to do anything effective was most disheartening.

When it drew towards evening on Saturday scarcely a flicker of hope remained. About 10 p.m., however, a message was sent to Capt. Neillson urging him to hold on till morning, news having come through that the Tynemouth motor lifeboat was coming down the coast during the night and would attempt a rescue the following morning. Oil was poured on the water near the wreck. The motor boat arrived in the early hours and stayed in Whitby harbour until dawn, when it made towards the wreck. Amid scenes that will never be forgotten by those watching from the beach, all the survivors were taken off and landed safely. Pte. Eastwood was the only Barnoldswick man to be taken off in the motor boat; Pte. Waterworth and Pte. Rediough had previously been taken ashore by the Whitby lifeboat.

There were few towns more sad than Barnoldswick when the news of the disaster came through. Flags were hoisted half mast on the public buildings, feeling references were made from the pulpits of the town, an impressive memorial service was held, and letters of sympathy received from the Admiralty, the Medical Department of the Admiralty, and from many ambulance divisions and brigades in Yorkshire and Lancashire. A fund was started for the erection of a memorial hall, but this has since been merged in the Barnoldswick War Memorial.

A handsome monument has been erected in Whitby Cemetery by the owners of the “_Rohilla_” (the British India Steam Navigation Co.). As the outcome of the disaster a movement for equipping Whitby with a motor lifeboat has been successfully carried through, with the assistance of the Royal Lifeboat Institution. The new boat was launched in June, 1919.

TUNSTILL’S “CRAVEN LEGION.”

One of the outstanding features of recruiting in Craven in the early days of the war was a unique and entirely successful effort by Mr. H. G. Tunstill, of Otterburn, who at that time represented the Settle district on the West Riding County Council.

Mr. Tunstill arrived home from Russia on August 20th, 1914, and very shortly afterwards issued a stirring appeal for ninety-nine men to join him in making a company of one hundred for enlistment in Lord Kitchener’s army. The appeal was addressed more particularly to Mr. Tunstill’s constituents in the neighbourhood of Settle, and a series of meetings were arranged. At many of these enthusiastic scenes were witnessed, and after a campaign extending from the 7th to the 18th of September close upon one hundred men had been obtained, and they paraded at Settle on the 19th. After going through the usual attestation formalities they were royally entertained at the Ashfield and Golden Lion Hotels, Mr. W. Morrison presiding at the former place, and Mr. W. Simpson, Catteral Hall, at the latter. Subsequently there was an entertainment at the Victoria Hall where clothing, comforts and fruit were distributed.

The men left for their depot at Halifax amid memorable scenes. They assembled in Settle Market Place at 7 a.m., and, after a parting speech by Mr. Morrison, were marched to the station headed by the Brass Band and accompanied by a large crowd. The train steamed out of the station amid cheering, the detonation of fog signals and much waving of handkerchiefs.

At Silsden, Mr. Tunstill’s men were met by another batch of recruits and marched into Keighley. It was something in the nature of a triumphal progress, followed by an inspection on the Town Hall Square by the Mayor (Mr. W. A. Brigg) and other local gentlemen. They departed for Halifax in the afternoon by special train and were inspected by Col. Thorold, the officer commanding the depot, who publicly thanked Mr. Tunstill for his services in obtaining such a fine body of men. Two days later they were drafted to Frensham, near Aldershot, and ultimately became “A” Company of the 10th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. Then followed a period of rigorous training in which the men acquitted themselves very creditably.

Meanwhile Mr. Tunstill had been offered and accepted a commission and was gazetted Captain in November, 1914. The Battalion went to France in August, 1915, and Captain Tunstill remained with the Company until October, 1916, when he was sent to England with a damaged knee and ankle. He became unfit for active service, but performed valuable work in connection with the training of recruits in England. He was mentioned in dispatches in December, 1916. The Company saw much fighting in France and also served with distinction in Italy.

CAPTAIN THOMAS HOWARTH PRESTON, East Lancashire Regiment, the only surviving son of the late John Preston and Mrs. Preston, of Mearbeck, Longpreston. He served through the South African War, receiving the Queen’s Medal with three clasps, and was mentioned in despatches. He was awarded the Royal Geographical Society’s Diploma in 1913. His only brother, 2nd Lieut. J. S. Preston, 1st Bn. Royal Scots, died at Dewetsdorp, during the South African War. Captain Preston was killed in action in Flanders on November 17th, 1914, and was 34 years of age.

CAPTAIN WILLIAM J. STACKHOUSE, eldest son of the late Major Stackhouse, J.P., of Ingfield Hall, Settle, and Mrs. Stackhouse, of the Grange, Casterton, Kirby Lonsdale, and husband of Theodora Charlotte Stackhouse, of “Laguna,” Suffolk Rd., Bournemouth. This gallant officer, the owner of a considerable estate in the Settle district, was killed in action in France on March 12th, 1915, aged 32 years, and his death plunged one of the oldest families in the neighbourhood into mourning. Captain Stackhouse was born in 1883, educated at Harrow and Sandhurst, whence he gained a commission in the 4th Lancashire Fusiliers, and when the latter Regiment was disbanded in 1906, he was offered a Lieutenancy in the 2nd Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby). He received his captaincy in 1913. Prior to going to the front in October, 1914, the deceased officer was Adjutant to the 10th Bn. Of a cheery and kindly nature, he was extremely popular with his men, ever ready to help and encourage them, and his delightful personality made him a host of friends. He was a keen sportsman, polo, shooting and motoring being his favourite recreations.

2ND LIEUT. GERALD KIRK (The King’s Own Lancaster) Regiment (Territorials) a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Kirk, of Greenwood Leghe, Ingleton. When the war broke out, Gerald Kirk joined the King’s Own Lancashire Territorials as a private. He was quickly marked out for promotion, and a commission was offered to him before he had completed his training and embarked for the front. He met his death in the fierce fighting in France on April 24th, 1915, and the news was received with general regret in the Ingleton district, where he was a popular figure and a general favourite. He was a clean and clever sportsman. In particular, he loved Association football, and was identified for many years with the Ingleton Football Club as Captain, in which capacity he frequently led his men to victory. At the invitation of the Bradford City Club he played with that combination as an amateur at centre half; later he played for Leeds City, after which he again threw in his lot with the Ingleton Club and remained with them after taking up his residence at Warton. The deceased officer was one of the original promoters of the Ingleton Conservative Club, and acted as its first Hon. Secretary until his removal to the Carnforth district. The same qualities he exhibited on the football field were prominent on the field of battle. On March 9th, 1916, at St. Mary’s Church, Ingleton, a memorial tablet to the deceased officer’s memory was unveiled by the Vicar (the Rev. J. Llewellyn). It bears the following inscription:--“In loving memory of Gerald Kirk, 2nd Lieut., 5th Bttn. King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regt., son of Alfred S. and Isabella Kirk, of Greenwood Leghe, Ingleton. Born July 14th, 1883; died at Poperinghe, Belgium, April 24th, 1915, of wounds received at St. Julien the previous day. This tablet is erected by his wife.”

CAPTAIN T. M. ELLIS, son of Dr. W. H. Ellis, formerly of Ravenshaw, Carleton, Skipton, was killed in action in France on April 18th, 1915. Captain Ellis, who was unmarried, saw service in the South African War in the 33rd Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment. In 1909, he returned to Bradford and acted as Adjutant to the 6th Bn. West Yorkshire Regt. (T.). At the expiration of his term of office, he rejoined the 2nd Bn. Duke of Wellington’s, then stationed at Dublin. At the outbreak of war, the “Duke’s” had a rough experience, and at the battle of Mons, Captain Ellis and a few others penetrated right through the German lines and were unable to retrace their steps, being posted by the military as missing. For days, Captain Ellis and his companions were befriended by Belgian peasants, being disguised and hidden in straw in barns. They were conducted across country by night, and eventually reached the coast. Captain Ellis embarked at Ostend and reached England in safety, subsequently enjoying a brief furlough at his father’s house, Oak Avenue, Manningham. When next he crossed to France, he was attached to the West Yorkshire Regiment, with which he was serving when he met his death.

CAPTAIN G. H. ERMEN, of the 2/6th Bn. Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment, of Milton House, Gargrave, who, in civil life, was general manager of the Belle Vue Mills of the English Sewing Cotton Company at Skipton, died at his residence on May 4th, 1915, aged 38 years. At the outbreak of war, Captain Ermen relinquished his position to take up military duties. He had previously held a commission in the 6th Bn. Manchesters, with which regiment he saw service in the South African War. He was gazetted Captain in the first Reserve Bn. of the 6th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, which was raised at Skipton under Colonel R. E. Williamson, V.D., and remained at Headquarters until the battalion was transferred to Derby. While stationed at Doncaster, Capt. Ermen was appointed Adjutant to the Battalion, but had not long enjoyed this distinction before he was compelled to return home on sick leave and died, as stated, to the sincere regret of many sorrowing friends. Capt. Ermen took a keen interest in the National Reserve Movement, and was Officer Commanding the Skipton Companies, in the organization of which he took a prominent and useful part.

LIEUT. HEDLEY KNOWLES, ⅙th Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment, the first Skipton officer to give his life for King and Country. Lieut. Knowles was the son of Mr. and Mrs. M. R. Knowles, The Arches, Skipton. The news of his death was received with very deep regret, for he had, by his geniality of disposition, earned the affection of a wide circle of friends. The deceased officer, who was twenty-two years of age, was destined for the legal profession, and had before him a career of much promise. The outbreak of war saw him, with typical British patriotism, eager to take his part in the momentous struggle. He had joined the 6th Bn. Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in 1913, and was gazetted 2nd Lieut. It was while training in camp at Marske that the Territorial Force was ordered to mobilize, and he went with his Bn. to Immingham, where they went into training, and accompanied them later to Healing, Riby and Doncaster. Later he accompanied his Battalion to France, where he proved himself a thorough and capable officer. It was while acting as instructor to a school of bomb throwing that he met his sad end, being killed by the premature explosion of a rifle grenade on May 30th, 1915. Death was instantaneous, and the whole regiment sincerely grieved the loss of one who had made himself a general favourite with both officers and men. As one of the officers, in communicating the painful news to his parents, said, “He was an excellent soldier and a thorough sportsman. He had no fear, his only wish being to serve his King and Country, for which he has given his life.”

2ND LIEUT. GEORGE BARGH, the King’s Liverpool Regiment, son of Mrs. Bargh, of Procter’s Farm, Wray, near Lancaster, reported killed in action on May 10th, 1915. News reached Mrs. Bargh from Col. Wallace, 1st Suffolk Regt., who was a prisoner of war in Germany, that on that date her son was shot in the head, just before the Germans took the trenches, as he was bandaging a wounded soldier, and was killed instantly. Lieut. Bargh received his early education at Halifax, and subsequently obtained his B.Sc. at University College, Reading. He afterwards became a teacher at Hawes Council School. He accepted his commission in the King’s Liverpool Regiment early in 1914.

LIEUT. R. F. MORKILL, East Lancashire Regiment and Royal Flying Corps, second son of Mr. J. W. Morkill, J.P., of Newfield Hall, Bell Busk, met his death on June 22nd, 1915, following injuries received in a flying accident at Gosport, and the sad event cast a deep gloom over the Craven District, where the family is well known and highly respected. Lieut. Morkill, who was attached to the East Lancashire Regiment, went to the front in Sept. 1914, and was on active service continuously up to February, 1915. On returning to England, he was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as a probationer and qualified as an aviator only a week before he met his untimely end. Two years previously, Lieut. Morkill had obtained a Pilot’s Certificate at the Eastbourne Flying School. On June 22nd, he was ordered to make the flight from Gosport to Shoreham and back. The machine was certified to be in perfect order. According to the evidence at the inquest Lieut. Morkill was preparing to start on the return journey from Shoreham. The engine was running satisfactorily, but a leak was observed in the oil cistern. After a new pipe had been fitted the journey was commenced. When up about 200 feet, the engine missed once or twice and appeared to stop, due, as was subsequently ascertained, to a mechanical fracture. The aeroplane came to the ground and Lieut. Morkill was found to have been crushed by the wreckage. He died as the result of his injuries in his 23rd year. He married in Sept. 1914, Ellen Mary, youngest daughter of the late Mr. T. L. Wilkinson, Neasham Abbey, Darlington.

2ND LIEUT. NELSON WIDDUP PETTY, Lancashire Fusiliers, brother of Mr. James Petty, Gordon Street, Sutton. Lieut. Petty enlisted nearly eleven years before the war as a private in the Lancashire Fusiliers, and had seen service in Malta, Egypt, Aden, South Africa and India. When war was declared, he returned from India as a sergeant, but was promoted in January, 1915, to the rank of 2nd Lieut. After a short stay in training he went out with the British Forces to the Dardanelles, where he met his death on the 28th June, 1915.

LIEUT. ANTHONY E. K. SLINGSBY, ⅙th Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment, son of Mr. J. A. Slingsby, J.P., and Mrs. Slingsby of Carla Beck, Carleton, Skipton, was killed in action in France on July 14th, 1915. Lieut. Slingsby, who was well-known and very popular in the Craven district, was first at School at St. Edmunds, Hindhead, Surrey, and subsequently at St. Peter’s College, Radley, near Oxford. He then won an Exhibition at Exeter College, Oxford, where he remained in residence four years. During his stay, Lieut. Slingsby was Captain of Boats and President of the College Committee. Returning to Carleton, he interested himself in the Boy Scout movement; became, subsequently, a District Scout Commissioner, and later was attached to the Headquarter Staff. The interrupted manœuvres at Marske in July, 1914, were the first Lieut. Slingsby attended as a Territorial Officer. Lieut. Slingsby, who was 26 years of age, was one of five brothers serving their King and Country in the great war, two of whom afterwards gave their lives in the same great cause.

2ND LIEUT. J. A. C. SPENCER, 9th West Yorkshire Regiment, was reported missing in August, 1915. He was 24 years of age and was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Spencer, of Lydget, Keighley. Before joining the Army he was connected with the firm of P. W. Spencer, Lothersdale. He obtained a commission early in September, 1914, and in July, 1915, he left for Gallipoli, and took part in the landing at Suvla Bay in the following August. All hope of his safety was soon given up, as two brother officers, who were quite near him at the time, stated that at dawn on the 9th August, after leading his men up to the firing line, he was hit and fell without a sound and never moved again. These officers were certain that he was killed instantaneously: half an hour later the ground was given up and was never re-taken. Nothing further could be heard of him, and in July, 1916, it was officially reported that he was “killed in action.”

LIEUT. E. J. C. SUPPLE, ⅙th Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment, youngest son of Mr. E. K. Supple, late of the Irish Constabulary, was formerly a Master at Skipton Grammar School; he died of wounds received in action. Lieut. Supple joined the 6th Bn. in March, 1909, as a private. In 1911 he was promoted Lance Corporal and took his discharge in 1913. After the outbreak of war he obtained a commission and rejoined his old regiment. Lieut. Supple was a keen sportsman, and for some seasons played half-back with the well-known London Irish Team. Lieut. Supple was admitted to Wimbereux General Hospital on August 22nd, 1915, suffering from gunshot wounds through both thighs, and died the same day.

LIEUT. THE HON. C. A. LISTER, Royal Marines, of the Hood Battalion, was wounded in Gallipoli, August 24th, 1915, and succumbed to his injuries on August 28th, 1915. Lieut. Lister was the only surviving son and heir of Lord Ribblesdale, of Gisburne Park. His elder brother was killed in action at Vidballi in Somaliland in 1904. Lieut. Lister went to the Dardanelles in the Spring of 1915 to take up a post as interpreter on board one of the warships there. Formerly in the Diplomatic Service, his first position was in the British Embassy at Rome, whence he was transferred to Constantinople, where he was stationed at the outbreak of war. He joined the Royal Naval Division with which he went to the Dardanelles. His mother, the late Lady Ribblesdale, was a daughter of the late Sir Charles Tennant, Bart., a sister of Mrs. Asquith, wife of the Ex-Prime Minister.

LIEUT. SURTEES SHEFFIELD, 2nd Hampshire Regiment, who was reported missing on August 6th, 1915, was afterwards officially reported to have been killed on that date. Lieut. Sheffield had only left hospital at Alexandria five days before he met his death. At the outbreak of war he was rubber planting in Malaga, and at once returned to England to take up his commission, which he had resigned after the South African War. For that campaign he held the Queen’s Medal with three clasps, and the King’s Medal with two clasps, the former being personally presented to him by King Edward at Buckingham Palace in July, 1901, in recognition of his distinguished gallantry at Retief’s Nek. Lieut. Sheffield was in his 38th year, and was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Sheffield, and brother of Mrs. Wayte Hicks, of West House, Dent.

CAPTAIN MORRISON, 6th Bn. King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, formerly of Bentham, died of wounds received in the Dardanelles, August, 1915. For over twenty years, Capt. Morrison was a Presbyterian, but latterly became an earnest Churchman. He was studying for the Church when war was declared, under the Vicar of St. Margaret’s, Bentham, and he acted as Hon. Lay Reader for about five years at Sacriston, Durham. For a few months he acted at Bentham in the same capacity, and made many friends there. Capt. Morrison was 30 years of age, and came from Sacriston with Mr. Bartley, when the latter was appointed Vicar of St. Margaret’s Church.