Henry Gordon Luya

  Noted events in his life were:

• fact. Drowned whilst bathing at Wallasey, inquest held. Death Cert. information: 10th August 1914 on the foreshore near to Harrison Drive, Wallasey: Henry Gordon LUY A age 14 yrs of 128 Poulton Road, Seacombe, Wallasey. Son of Henry Luya, Commercial Bookkeeper. Cause of death: Drowned whilst bathing: Accidental. Certificate received from James C. Bate, Coroner for Cheshire. Inquest held 11 th August 1914 death registered: 14 August 1914 Newspaper report: Wallasey & Wirral Chronicle 12 August 1914 - Page 4 Poulton Boy Drowned. JURY'S RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNCIL WARNING TO NON-SWIMMERS AND NOVICES A sad bathing fatality occurred on Monday afternoon off the Harrison-drive shore involving the death of a thirteen year old boy named Henry Gordon Luya, of 128, Poulton Road, Seacombe. The circumstances of his death was the subject of an inquest held by Mr.1.C. Bate, the district coroner, at the Victoria Central Hospital on Tuesday. It appeared from the evidence submitted that the deceased, who was a very tall lad for his age and could only swim a little, went to bathe with a companion named Wilfred Paterson, who could not swim at all. Undressing in a private tent, the lads entered the water at No. 6 bathing station. This station, which is the last of the series, is not very often frequented by bathers, and therefore the patrol boat confines its duties to N o. 5 station, which is more popular. The deceased told his companion it was his intention to swim further out than usual so that he could then swim back inland. A strong ebb tide was running at the time and it proved too much for the novice. He shouted that he was drowning and Paterson went to the boat house for assistance. Several bathers and the dressing-room attendant went to look for the boy, but for some time failed to notice him. At length one of the gentlemen, a schoolmaster, named William Hammersley, saw a black object floating in the water and going in that direction found it to be the body of the deceased, and with the assistance of a Mr. Pratt brought it to the shore. Artificial respiration was tried unceasingly for three-quarters of an hour by a hospital nurse named Miss Mooney, but all her efforts were in vain. THE JURY'S VERDICT The Jury returned a verdict of accidental death, and expressed the wish to endorse the remarks made by the coroner that the Council should provide better facilities for swimming tuition in the elementary schools than those in vogue at present. They also wish to pass a vote of thanks to Miss Mooney for her efforts. Mr. G. Livsey, the Deputy Town Clerk, who represented the Council, said he would convey their proposals to the proper authorities, but the increased facilities would mean an increase in the educational rate. SAD SEQUEL Whilst Major Luya, who is an uncle of the deceased boy was riding along the shore on horseback to inquire what the cause of the excitement was, his horse, becoming restless, knocked down a ten- year-old girl named Ethel Franklin, who was watching the scene. The Major shouted to the crowd to clear the way, but the girl unfortunately did not get out of danger quickly enough. She sustained a simple fracture of her arm and injuries to the mouth. She was conveyed to the Central Hospital in the ambulance and received attention from Dr. Barry. THE WALLASEY OBSERVER & WIRRAL REVIEW SATURDAY AUGUST 15, 1914-FrontPage The regrettable tragedy that took place on Monday last, and which resulted in the drowning of Henry Gordon Luya, aged 14, nephew of Major Luya, should be taken as a warning to swimmers in this particular locality - especially so on an ebb tide, and for those who can only swim a little it is dangerous in the extreme, owing to the fact of the strong current which runs here and was borne out by the statements of the witnesses at the inquest. We desire to express our sympathy to Mr. and Mrs. Luya and family in their sad bereavement. LIVERPOOL WEEKLY MERCURY SATURDAY AUGUST 15, 1914 - Page 10 DROWNED AT NEW BRIGHTON Coroners Suggestion: All Boys Should Learn To Swim The inquest in regard to the death while bathing off Harrison-drive, New Brighton on Monday afternoon, of Henry Gordon Luya, aged fourteen, of 128 Poulton-road, Seacombe was held this week at the Victoria Central Hospital, Liscard, by Mr. J. C. Bate, the district coroner. The boy went out of his depth in order to attempt to swim back to the shore. He got into difficulties, however, and called out to his companion, a boy of twelve, named Wilfred Paterson, that he was drowning. The latter ran to the bathing tents for assistance, and Mr. Hammersley, a local school master, swam out and recovered the body, being assisted by Major C. Luya, the boy's uncle. Nurse Mooney, of the Liscard Hospital, who was on the sands, tried for forty-five minutes to revive the lad, but without success. The place where he was drowned was beyond the ordinary bathing place, and past the patrol boat station. The jury found that the deceased was accidentally drowned, and expressed their appreciation of the efforts of Nurse Mooney. The Coroner suggested that all boys should be taught to swim, and that the education authorities should provide facilities at the baths, instead of the boys having to pay for themselves. The jury concurred, and Mr. G. Livsey, deputy town-clerk, said he would bring this suggestion before the committee concerned.