The Funerals

Both funerals took place on Thursday morning in a joint service.

The funerals of Mr John Belsher Heaton and Mr William Barrow, the victims of the Parbold drowning tragedy took place on Thursday afternoon last amidst many manifestations of sorrow, the remains of Mr Heaton being interred at Douglas Parish Church. All along the routes the blinds were drawn and in both churches, there were large numbers of sypmathisers, very impressive services were held, the tragic fate of these two well-known residents having plunged the whole village into grief. 

Rev Campbell Douglas (vicar) officiated at Douglas Parish Church, were the remains of Mr Heaton were laid to rest. Mr Rev. C. Harris (Vicar of Newburgh) also assisted in the service in church by reading the lesson and the hymm "Rock of Ages" was feelingly sung. Mr A. Sharpe who presided at the organ, discoursed suitable music as the cortege entered and left the church.  

 FUNERAL OF BILLY BARROW

At the burial of Mr Barrow at Newburgh, the Rev C. Harris (vicar) officiated in church and at the graveside. The mourners were: Mrs Barrow (widow). Mr James Barrow (son). Miss Edith Barrow (daughter). Mr & Mrs John Barrow (brother and sister-in-law). Mr & Mrs James Barrow (brother & sister-in-law). Mr & Mrs Harry Barrow (brother & sister-in-law). Mr and Mrs Tom Barrow (brother & sister-in-law). Mrs Holt Barrow (sister). Mrs Walsh (mother-in-law). Messers Robert and Albert Walsh (brothers-in-law). Mr & Mrs Joe Halton. Mr & Mrs Cobham and Mr & Mrs Ellis Tates (brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law). Mrs Blowes (niece). Mr & Mrs Tom Heaton. Mr & Mrs John Heaton. Mrs Dobson. Mrs Cubbin. Mrs Ashcroft (aunt). Mrs Thompson (aunt). mr W. Halsall, and mr J. Lindsay.

The remains were borne to their last resting place by Messers; Jack, Harry, Tom and Jim Barrow (brothers of the deceased).

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Mr & Mrs Henry Barrow also known as Harry in the article were my great-grandparents.

Mr & Mrs James Barrow also known as Jim in the article were Alan's grandparents.

 

     

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The Tragic Death of William Barrow 

(1883-1928).

William Barrow known as Billy was born on the 9th April 1883 in the village of Newburgh, Lancashire. He was the son of Henry Barrow and Sarah Barrow formerly Salisbury. William became well known to local villagers as the postman in the Dalton and Parbold area. On the 5th February 1910 he married Elizabeth Ellen Welch at Christ Church, Newburgh. William and Elizabeth Ellen went on to have 4 children together.

On New Years Eve night 1927 William and a friend went to the Railway pub in Parbold to celebrate the coming of 1928. It is believed that they left the pub sometime after midnight to set off home, William lived at Bradshaw Lane in Parbold at the time which was only a short distance from the Railway Inn. The tragic events of that night are known only to the two pals but this is the account reported in the Ormskirk Advertiser days after the event.

                                 TWO PARBOLD MEN DROWNED

          MISSED THEIR WAY WHEN RETURNING HOME

"The bodies of two men were recovered from the Leeds and Liverpool Canal on Monday morning at Parbold. They were John Belsher Heaton (37) of Beech House, Parbold, and William Barrow (44) of Bradshaw Lane, Parbold. Late on Saturday evening when it was very dark on the way home they had to cross a canal bridge, and it is presumed they missed their way and fell into the water".

"Dragging operations were carried out by the police, and the body of Heaton was found close to the bridge. Barrow's body was discovered not far from the same spot. Both men were perfectly sober when they left for home".

"Barrow was a married man and leaves a widow and four children. He had been a postman in the Dalton and Parbold area for twenty-eight years".

"Heaton was a single man and helped his brother who is the sub-postmaster and has a grocery business. Heaton joined the 13th King's (Liverpool) in 1914, and served throughout the war, he was gassed just before the Armastice and was invalided home. His father was a postmaster in Parbold for many years and was extremely popular in the township, he had been a cricketer and footballer of local ..."

"At the inquest yesterday, it was said that the bridge was very dangerous and ought to be lighted, and the coroner (Harold Parker), in returning a verdict "Accidentally drowned" said he would communicate the recommendation about the bridge to the canal company, he was surprised there had not been more accidents of that discription".

Taken from the Ormskirk Advertiser,Thursday 5th January 1928.

 

Thanks to Alan Barrow for providing this material.