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PhD Research. Fatal Drownings in 20th Century Birmingham

Bardess said:
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
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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.
 
Morturn said:
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.
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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).
 
Astoness said:
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
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As a Paramedic and open water lifeguard I can't agree with you more ❤️
 
Astoness said:
yes i remember those days mort...not happening now though

lyn
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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.
 
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)
 
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Pedrocut said:
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)
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This is Fantastic, thank you so much.
 
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