Diane Humberstone has submitted the following:-
William Harbron Bower, of 14 Dyke Street, West Hartlepool, where he lived prior to enlistment with his widowed mother, Alice Bower and siblings, George Lily and Thomas Bower. His father, John Thomas Bower, died in 1906.
William was 18 years old and tragically was accidentally drowned at Whitley Bay, whilst bathing. The incident featured in the Whitley Seaside Chronicle and Visitors Gazette, 19/06/1915.
BATHING FATALITY
GALLANT RESCUE DEED
A most unfortunate bathing fatality occurred at Whitley Bay shortly after 4 o’clock on Wednesday afternoon, the victim being Private W.H. Bower, of the West Yorkshire Regiment. The case is rendered especially distressing by the fact that a lack of local knowledge unquestionably contributed to the tragedy.
It appears that a party of men proceeded to the beach, but unfortunately selected a spot which is well known to regular bathers as an unsafe place under certain conditions of the sea and tide. Though the sea was not by any means rough on Wednesday, it had not altogether subsided after the recent easterly winds, whilst at the hour when the accident happened, the tide was running in strongly. There is a conspicuous caution board close to the place warning bathers of the danger, but apparently this had altogether escaped the attention of the soldiers.
When the beach patrol, Mr. Evans, came upon the scene, most of the men had entered the sea. In view of the possibility that the party were unaware that they had selected an unsafe spot, Mr Evans sought out an officer and informed him of the position of matters. Almost at that very moment, however, before the officer could do anything, an alarm was raised that some of the men had got into difficulties. Altogether it was observed that eight of the soldiers had got beyond their depths and were in need of aid. Their comrades at once set about to rescue them, and several of the most powerful swimmers went out to them.
The beach lifeboat was hurriedly brought down to the water’s edge and launched, and got out in time to pick up some of the men and those who had assisted them to keep afloat. Some of the distressed men were got ashore by their comrades. Although acts of great gallantry were performed, one of the unfortunate bathers was drowned, namely Private W.H. Bower, aged 21 who belonged to 14, Dyke Street, Hartlepool.
The outstanding deed in connection with the rescue work was that of Sergeant and Gymnasium Instructor Wright, who swam out to two of the men, who were furthest out, got hold of them both, and supported them until the beach boat was brought along and picked them all up. Wright is a splendid all-round athlete, and has already made himself well-known amongst North-country sportsmen. He has made several appearances in the ring at St. James’s Hall, Newcastle, since he was stationed at Whitley Bay.
Some of the men when brought ashore were in an unconscious condition, and Doctor Robinson, police surgeon of Gateshead, who was on the scene, rendered valuable attention to them. Two of the men in particular Sergeant Linskey and Private Jackson, were very ill and were taken to Whitley Bay V.A.D. Hospital, where Nurse Eltringham had everything in readiness including warm blankets, hot water bottles etc. They both recovered during the evening.
The body of Private Bower was recovered from the sea yesterday morning by Mr Evans, the Beach Patrol, and an inquest being held last night a verdict of accidentally drowned whilst bathing was returned.
His body was recovered on Friday 18 June and an inquest held the same evening, recorded a verdict of accidentally drowning whilst bathing.
He is buried at Hartlepool North Cemetery.
William Harbron Bower is remembered at Hartlepool on H115.30 at Stranton on S139.05 and at West Hartlepool W111.18 W111.32 W111.54 and W111.86
