PhD Research. Fatal Drownings in 20th Century Birmingham

[Liz Gurney]

My uncle, John Robert Larvin aged 4, was pushed into the canal at Sheepcote St on 12th May 1930 by 2 8yo boys. I have all reports and funeral invoice that I can send to you if you wish

Di

That would be fantastic, thank you so so much. John Larvin is on my to research list. I had found a report in the newspaper archives!! If you wouldn't mind sharing the reports and invoice you have and happy for me to use it, I'd be so very grateful.
Thank you.

 

[Banjo]

The education department did, I recall go out of its way to encourage young school children to learn to swim. Free passes were one of the measures as was school swimming lessons.

I also remember our weekly school swimming lessons at Victoria Rd baths. Me & my two mates loved it so much we went to Woodcock St baths after school (they had a springboard).

 

[Liz Gurney]

My Brother Alan (8) was drowned playing at Valley Pit colliery reservoir in 1947. It wasn't in Birmingham but, I just wanted to mention it.

Oh thank you. It may still be useful for me to look into. Thank you.

 

[Liz Gurney]

My Brother Alan (8) was drowned playing at Valley Pit colliery reservoir in 1947. It wasn't in Birmingham but, I just wanted to mention it.

Oh wow. Thank you. It still may be useful for my research. Thank you.

 

[Liz Gurney]

hope no one minds but reading these sad stories about the young children that died from drowning and even the sad cases we hear of today prompted me over 3 years ago to start paying for my grandson who is 8 to have swimming lessons every saturday morning which he loves...he still has about 3 levels to go before they finish but already he is an accomplished swimmer and is thinking about taking life saving lessons at some point... i do understand that sometimes being able to swim can not always save you it must help and give us a chance..sadly his school like many others in birmingham do not seem to have swimming lessons anymore which seems a real shame as it is so important to learn..his sister who is 3 will be starting them soon..

lyn

As a Paramedic and open water lifeguard I can't agree with you more

 

[Donbogen]

As i mentioned on canal thread
while in a classroom at Great Barr Comp
a girl was pulled out of class to be told her brother
had sadly drowned at the locks by Walsall Rd locks

 

[Liz Gurney]

yes i remember those days mort...not happening now though

lyn

It's a bit of a soap box for me I'm afraid. ALL SHOULD LEARN TO SWIM! My mother is terrified of water as she cant swim and my father wasn't a strong swimmer in any shape of the imagination. They were adamant that we would learn, and I've found a love for it. When doing my proposal for this PhD swimming only became part of the curriculum in 1994. The requirements are silly low and they don't even have to pass that. As an open water swimmer and open water lifeguard it amazes me how blaze people can be in open water. I think all should be taught to swim properly, the dangers of wild swimming and how to read water. Hopefully this PhD may help with my mini crusade?!?!?
I'll now dismount my soap box.

 

[Pedrocut]

We have seen drowning in canals, lakes and culverts, but there seems to also have been drowning in tanks.
1909 Smethwick.
1945 Foreman's Road Sparkhill.
1977 Sewage Tank Kilts Green

Herbert Morrison, Home Secretary said in House of Commons that 36 children had lost their lives through drowning in National Fire Service water-tanks and basements. In Birmingham a large number of static tanks are already covered with strong wire netting. (Birmingham Post, July 1942)

 

[Liz Gurney]

We have seen drowning in canals, lakes and culverts, but there seems to also have been drowning in tanks.
1909 Smethwick.
1945 Foreman's Road Sparkhill.
1977 Sewage Tank Kilts Green

Herbert Morrison, Home Secretary said in House of Commons that 36 children had lost their lives through drowning in National Fire Service water-tanks and basements. In Birmingham a large number of static tanks are already covered with strong wire netting. (Birmingham Post, July 1942)

This is Fantastic, thank you so much.

 

[Heartland]

There were also the drownings in the line of work as boatmen, or canal workers, fell into the canal.

 

[Pedrocut]

An interesting observation on Boat People and drowning…

“The Medical Officer of Health for Birmingham in 1905 was comparing the health of the children to those of "the same class in the poorer parts of a large town" and a comment from Dr Wilson of the Ministry of Health in 1930 is particularly revealing when she remarked that deaths from drowning were probably no more frequent than street accidents "in a corresponding slum on land".

(Canal Boat People, 1840-1970. Wendy Freer.)

 

[Liz Gurney]

There were also the drownings in the line of work as boatmen, or canal workers, fell into the canal.

That's very much the center of my chapter

 

[Liz Gurney]

An interesting observation on Boat People and drowning…

“The Medical Officer of Health for Birmingham in 1905 was comparing the health of the children to those of "the same class in the poorer parts of a large town" and a comment from Dr Wilson of the Ministry of Health in 1930 is particularly revealing when she remarked that deaths from drowning were probably no more frequent than street accidents "in a corresponding slum on land".

(Canal Boat People, 1840-1970. Wendy Freer.)

Yes, there's several articles where road accidents and drowning are compared. I've also found quite afew articles where one person says one thing and another contradicts them throughout the century. It's made very exciting reading.

 

[Morturn]

Yes, there's several articles where road accidents and drowning are compared. I've also found quite afew articles where one person says one thing and another contradicts them throughout the century. It's made very exciting reading.

The joys of historical research. These contradictions when, if you set aside the past as written as historical fact and desire to build just a body of knowledge will allow you to leverage the advantages to create a rich and meaningful analysis of past events.

You will then soon see how history teaches you how to think, how to assess evidence and how to solve puzzles, to leave you with a rich useable past.

 

[Heartland]

On a related subject, miners in local coal and ironstone mines in South Staffordshire & East Worcestershire faced many underground issues which included the inundation. Water held back in old workings could be released into the mine where the miners were at work with serious and sometimes fatal consequences.

Of course in our modern society there are no such things as coal mines now as concerns for the environment have contributed to their closure. In other countries there is less concern and miners today still regularly face the dangers of the underground mine and flooding can still be an issue.

 

[Richard Dye]

On a related subject, miners in local coal and ironstone mines in South Staffordshire & East Worcestershire faced many underground issues which included the inundation. Water held back in old workings could be released into the mine where the miners were at work with serious and sometimes fatal consequences.

Of course in our modern society there are no such things as coal mines now as concerns for the environment have contributed to their closure. In other countries there is less concern and miners today still regularly face the dangers of the underground mine and flooding can still be an issue.

Coal mines in China are particularly dangerous, not just with water but with gases.

 

[Davenport]

This is from my family tree. May 26th 1910

 

[Richard Dye]

View attachment 201291This is from my family tree. May 26th 1910

Gruesome and sad story!

 

[Roboz_8]

Good Morning all.
How are you? Hope you are well?
I am researching The Histories of Fatal Drownings in 20th Century Britain for a PhD at Birmingham University. I have seen many stories in this forum site that would be fantastic for my thesis. However I am reluctant to just "steal" these stories. If any of you lovely people would be willing to share any stories I'd be super greatful.

Thank you
Liz

Hi Liz, my great grandfather, William Jones 1876-1920, my mother recounted fell into the canal and drowned. He was a fitter at Railway Carriages and Wagon Company Works, Smethwick, Staffs, married (1903) to Edith Woodhouse 1883-1944, residing at 25 Mornington Terrace, Smethwick. I would love to know if you can confirm the story of William’s demise. Robert