A column about days gone by in Melksham by local historian Lisa Ellis
Boys Will Be Boys?
“On Monday, a boy fell out of a swing in the Market-place, in this town, and broke his arm in three places. He now lies in a dangerous state.–These dangerous things should be put down.” – 23rd May 1839 – Wiltshire Independent
Coroner’s Inquest: “At Melksham, on William Canter, aged 4 years. The deceased being left by his mother a few minutes, attempted to take a potato out of the saucepan whereby his pinafore became ignited, which caused such extensive injury in several parts of his body as to destroy life several weeks after. Verdict Accidental death.” – 10 August 1848 – Wiltshire Independent
“A boy named William Cannings, 12 years of age, was riding on a timber carriage in Semington Lane when he accidentally fell off. The wheels passed over his chest and he died within a few minutes.” – 8 September 1849 – Reading Mercury
Coroner’s Inquest: “At Melksham Forest, on Joseph Pegler, aged 5 years. The deceased resided at the Lock House, on the Wilts and Berks Canal, and went daily to school at Melksham; not returning as usual in the evening, search was made, and the body was found in the morning, in the canal.” – 1 December 1849 – Reading Mercury (see photo)
Coroner’s Inquest: “At Semington, in the parish of Melksham, on Charles Bolwell, aged six years. The deceased, who was allowed to roam about with other children, was leaning against the railings bounding the Wilts and Berks Canal, and fell into it; a man of the name of Trueman was passing and called assistance, and the deceased was taken out quickly, mean of resuscitation were used, but the vital spark had fled.” – 8 October 1853 – Salisbury & Winchester Journal
Coroner’s Inquest: “Before Mr Sylvester at Seend, in the parish of Melksham on Henry James Fear, aged 5 years. George Harmond of Godalming deposed:- ‘I was employed driving a laden timber carriage with four horses from Poulshot to Melksham station. In passing Seend, I saw the deceased, H J Fear, coming from under the carriage between the fore and hind near wheels. The drag-chain struck him on the head, and he fell under the hind wheel, which passed over him. He was carried to his home.’ This occurred on Saturday Sept 19th at 4 o’clock pm, and he died at 8 o’clock the following morning.” – 24 September 1863 – Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette
“An inquest was taken before the Deputy Coroner at Semington Lane, near Melksham, on William Brown, aged 8 years. The deceased was at the side of the Wilts and Berks Canal washing his feet, and in stooping forward fell into the canal. A little boy who was present ran for assistance, but it was an hour before the body was recovered, and efforts to resuscitate were then made in vain.” – 1 August 1866 – Frome Times
“The other morning a boy (Isaac Paul Webb, age 7), son of Mr B Webb, farmer, was playing with his father’s powder flask, the contents of which exploded and blew one of the boy’s eyebrows again the wall, and left his thumb hanging by a tendon.” – 28 January 1867 – Swindon Advertiser
Coroner’s Inquest: “Taken before Mr Coroner Sylvester at Seend, on Noah Rawlings aged 10 years. The deceased accompanied by a younger brother went to bathe in the (Kennet and Avon) canal, and not being able to swim and getting out of his depth, his brother, who was with him held a stick to him but he could not retain his hold on it and he sank. His brother dressed himself and carried the clothes of the deceased home to his mother and told her that his brother was drowned. William Davis of Seend obtained some grapnel irons, but it was half an hour before the body was recovered.” – 8 June 1871 – Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette
“Two small boys who were bathing in a rather dangerous part of the river, near the town, on Friday last, had a narrow escape from drowning. They were carried by the stream out of their depth, and would soon have sank had not they been observed by Mr T G J Heathcote, who happened to be fishing at that part of the river, and who promptly jumped in and succeeded in bringing both of the boys to shore.” – 14 July 1887 – Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette
“On Monday afternoon, Elijah Barnett, aged thirteen years, was admitted into the Cottage Hospital suffering from serious injuries to his right foot. the lad was attending to a chaff-cutting machine at Mr Keevil’s of Shaw, and by some means got his foot caught in the machinery. When extracted it was found that one of the toes was completely smashed, and that extending for several inches up the centre of the foot was a wide gash as if it had been torn.” – 25 March 1892 – Western Gazette
Coroner’s Inquest: “…touching the death of William Robert Huckin, aged eight years. It appeared from the evidence that about six weeks ago the boy was taking part in a school treat in the Vicarage Field, and in entering a swing he was pushed down, causing him to sustain injuries from which he died.” (William Huckin was hit in the head by a swing boat) – 8 September 1894 – Warminster & Westbury Journal
“While on his way to school on Friday afternoon Richard Spencer, son of Mr H Spencer, tailor, Union Street, Melksham, was knocked down by a motor van. He was taken to the Melksham Cottage Hospital, where it was found that he had a leg broken above the knee.” – 1 August 1931 – Bath Chronicle
“Wm Sawyer (nine) of Spa Road, Melksham, while bathing in the children’s pool at Victoria Park, Bath, yesterday, fell and cut his foot.” – 10 August 1940 – Western Daily Press
Pictured: Forest Lock, c1900. The cottage was only accessible from the tow path and was demolished in 1961. The lock was located in the Methuen Avenue area.
