April 1914 –

Isle of Wight Observer

Apr 4th 1914: HISTORICAL EVENT – Few people are aware that that unfortunate fugitive, the beautiful but ill-fated ex-Empress Eugenie sought refuge in the Isle of Wight. After a terrible passage aboard the Gazelle, the yacht only reached Ryde after 12 hours conflict with wind and wave. Sir John Fox BURGOYNE escorted his royal passenger to the York Hotel where she stayed the night.

Apr 4th 1914: WIRELESS APPEAL – The epitome of the King’s appeal on behalf of the blind was sent out by wireless to all captains, passengers, crews, afloat at midnight on Saturday last, by the smart operator on duty, our young townsman, Mr. Paul HIBBERD, from the high power station Poldho, Cornwall, reaching some 45 vessels in the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

Apr 4th 1914: BOXING CONTESTS – An interesting boxing contest between the 6th Ryde St. John’s Sea Scouts and the Ryde Parish Church Troop took place at the Church Room, Prince-street, on Thursday evening. The lads sparred up in fine form and keenly contested rounds took place.

Apr 4th 1914: ACCIDENTALLY SHOT – A painful impression was caused in Ryde when it became known that Major H. M. CAMPBELL, R.A., had died at Exmouth. When Major CAMPBELL retired from the service he came to Ryde and lived for a number of years at Westwood, Queen’s-road. Much to the regret of his friends he recently gave up his house in Ryde and went to reside in Exmouth.

Apr 11th 1914: LECTURE – Professor POLLARD (University of London, Fellow of All Souls’, Oxford), son of Alderman H. H. POLLARD, has very kindly consented to deliver a lecture on “English Liberty and its History” at the Small Town Hall, on Tuesday evening.

Apr 11th 1914: MARCHERS – The Isle of Wight is to be visited during Easter week by the “Marchers’ Qui Vive,” a body of women who, in 1912, marched from Edinburgh to London, a distance of 400 miles, gathering signatures for a petition for the enfranchisement of women, which was afterwards presented at the official residence of the Prime Minister.

Apr 11th 1914: PRESENTATION – A number of gentlemen propose to present a purse to Mr. Samuel GAWN on his retirement from the public service of H.M. Customs at Ryde Pier Head, where he has carried out for some years arduous and difficult duties, also a valuable watch for keeping an eye on submarines in the Solent when possible.

Apr 11th 1914: FOOTBALL – For the third time since the I.W. Schools Shield has been competed for, Ryde Upper Grade has brought this trophy home. At the final match on Saturday, played at Newport, the Upper Grade Boys achieved a signal victory of 6 goals to 2, over East Cowes Grange Road School.

Apr 11th 1914: “TOM JONES” – Edward GERMAN’s well known opera has recently been adapted as a Concert Version, and the Ryde Philharmonic Society has been among the first to undertake the performance. We understand the plan is rapidly filling, and a crowded house is expected.

Apr 18th 1914: ASHEY – The annual meeting of the Parish Council was held at the Congregational schoolroom Haylands on Wednesday. Letters from the Rural District Council as to the advisability of placing sign posts to some of the footpaths in the Parish were considered.