Island Echo takes a look back at the local headlines from 30, 80, 90, 100, 110 and 120 years ago, including a Parkhurst prisoner who inherited his dying Canadian father’s fortune.
30 years ago (1993)
TYCOON FINDS MISSING SON IN PARKHURST PRISON A dying millionaire – who pledged to donate his fortune to his long-lost son – finally tracked him down to top security Parkhurst Prison. Frank Haines spent his final days searching for his child, who was born after a teenage romance in Rugby 30 years previously. The 50-year-old millionaire – who was living near Vancouver, Canada – was dying from lung cancer and pledged to leave his fortune to the son he had never seen: Steve Attwood. Steve was born to his Rugby girlfriend – Jennifer Hull – who was just 16 when he left her to join the Navy. Mr Haines – who had no other children – said:
“It’s all my fault. I don’t blame my son.”
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Steve – aged 29 – was serving a sentence in Parkhurst Prison for armed robbery.
80 years ago (1943)
VISITORS STILL BANNED FROM THE ISLE OF WIGHT The Ministry of Home Security issued a reminder that there was a ban on casual wayfarers and on the entry of visitors for the purpose of a holiday, recreation or pleasure on the Isle of Wight, which had been in existence since 1940. Persons contravening these bans were liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £100 or imprisonment up to 3 months. Anyone doubtful as to whether they could make a visit was advised to make inquiries with the Police.
90 years ago (1933)
NEWPORT MAN ON TRIAL FOR MANSLAUGHTER Newport labourer Robert Anthony Clay (34) was put on trial for the killing of Alfred James Urry at Winchester Assizes. Clay was said to have struck Urry during an argument at the Mall, Newport. Urry fell from a blow to the face and struck his head on the pavement, fracturing his skull. He died the following morning. Prosecutor Blake Odgers described the case as “pathetic” as the pair were friends, attending football matches and drinking together for a period of over 10 years. The cause of the dispute was said to have been an unpaid bar bill at the Red Lion.
100 years ago (1923)
COOK COMMITS SUICIDE AT PARKHURST BARRACKS An inquest heard that Private Emile Valoise Sleverdin, 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, had been found dead with his head and shoulders reclining on a rolled blanket in the bottom part of a gas stove with the gas turned on at the Officers’ Mess kitchen at Parkhurst. The deceased was an assistant cook. He had got up early in the morning to draw the boiler fire in the kitchen to prevent an explosion before taking his life. Sleverdin – whose relatives could not be traced – had served in the Navy during World War I. He had said that 1 rough passage had driven him almost insane. He had been depressed, sometimes refused to speak, and at times appeared ‘strange’. A verdict of “Suicide while of unsound mind” was recorded by the Isle of Wight coroner.
110 years ago (1913)
JEWISH COUPLE REPORT MISSING JEWEL CASE A Jewish lady and gentleman, named Reitlinger, reported a jewel case missing on their arrival at Waterloo Station in London. The couple had just spent a holiday in Totland. The jewel case was valued at £4,000 – over £381,000 in today’s values. SOLENT TUNNEL APPROVED BY ISLE OF WIGHT RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL The Isle of Wight District Council decided to support a proposal from the South Western and Isle of Wight Junction Railway to construct a Solent tunnel to the western end of the Island. The council had previously been neutral on the matter, but now indicated they would support the idea as much as they could.
120 years ago (1903)
COUNCIL SAYS NO TO 10MPH SPEED LIMIT ON ISLE OF WIGHT ROADS The Isle of Wight County Council decided it would be impracticable to apply a 10 miles per hour limit in regard to motor traffic on the roads of the Island.
