Robin Longbottom on how the community rallied round after a double drowning tragedy in the River Aire

EVERY year warnings are issued about the dangers of swimming in rivers and deep water.

A record of one tragedy is revealed on a gravestone in Utley Cemetery, near Keighley. The inscription reads: George Hamshaw who was drowned in the River Aire, August 23rd 1892, aged 40 years.

The events leading to the tragedy began when three boys, aged between 10 and 12 years old, set off from Lawkholme Lane in Keighley to bathe in the River Aire.

At that time Lawkholme Lane led down to old Lawk Holme House, a farm and the cricket and football grounds. From there a footpath skirted the playing fields to the river, where it joined another popular path that followed the riverbank from Stockbridge to Low Utley. On a bend in the river was a shingle bank where the water was shallow, and this spot was popular with bathers.

None of the three lads could swim and as they dared each other to go out into ever deeper water one of them, Arthur Scott, suddenly found himself out of his depth. As he struggled in the water the other boys shouted for help and George Hamshaw, who was nearby, rushed to the rescue. Throwing off his coat he waded into the river and managed to grab the boy, but suddenly he too was out of his depth. He couldn’t swim, and after a brief struggle both man and boy disappeared below the water and drowned.

The police were called to the scene and officers waded into the river and recovered George Hamshaw’s body; however, they were unable to find the boy. By then a small crowd had gathered, including Thomas Brown, a young man who was visiting Keighley from Oldham. He was a strong and competent swimmer, and stripped off and waded into the river. After diving for about a quarter of an hour he reported finding the body. He eventually managed to bring it up to a boat that had been brought to assist, and later reported that it lay at the bottom of 11 feet of water. He received huge applause from the crowd for his actions and a spontaneous collection on the riverbank raised 10 shillings' reward for him.

An inquest into the drownings was held the following day at the Keighley Police Court, in North Street. After deliberation the coroner returned verdicts of death by misadventure caused by drowning in the River Aire.

Almost immediately a committee was set up for the relief of the bereaved families of George Hamshaw and Arthur Scott. Hamshaw’s widow, Sarah, and his seven children lived in poor circumstances, sleeping in one apartment in a house at the back of Eastwood Row in Bradford Road. Hamshaw had worked in the town as a moulder at George Hattersley & Sons, North Brook Works, and his fellow workers began a collection. The firm’s vocal group, Hattersley’s Frolicking Minstrels, gave a benefit concert at the Mechanics Institute. Marriner’s Brass Band also gave a concert in Lund Park and Keighley Football Club put on a match to raise money. Contributions were also received from further afield, the landlord of the Golden Plough Inn at Halifax sent a postal order for £1 and a sympathiser, who wished to remain anonymous, sent £5 from Scarborough.

In total just over £350 was raised, of which £25 was given to Arthur Scott’s grieving parents. The remainder was put into trust for the support of Sarah Hamshaw and her family. At the suggestion of George Hamshaw’s employer, Richard Longden Hattersley, an initial amount of the money was spent on providing the family with a more suitable cottage and furnishings. Of the remaining money, 15 shillings was to be given each week to the family for their maintenance.