A mystery woman-in-blue recovered consciousness in the Royal Isle of Wight County Hospital in Ryde on 22nd September 1923, but was unable to remember who she was or how she had got there.
The curious case was reported on by newspapers across the United Kingdom at the time.
The young lady – said to have been aged around 30 – had been found insensible on Binstead Hill 2 days previously and had remained comatose.
She had been found lying in the road with slight head bruises by a coach driver. She was said to have been of fair complexion and was dressed in a blue costume and velour hat.
While lying unconscious, she was heard speaking in French and constantly repeated the words “Sutton Hall” and “Isabelle”.
The Police had ascertained that the mystery amnesiac had previously been at Cowes earlier that month.
If anyone has any information as to what became of the mystery lady-in-blue in Ryde Hospital a century ago, let us know in the comments.
Birmingham Gazette 22nd September 1923
When I went to Bishop Lovett School we were always told the ghost of the Lady In Blue haunted the basement under St Johns House. Not sure if they were connected.
Yes, Mr. Arapiss, the caretaker, would tell pupils that they couldn’t go beyond the ‘mystery door’, which supposed to have led to a secret passage to the Appley Tower.
I recall many pupils saying they had seen the Lady in Blue walking around St. Johns House. Whether that was because they wanted to scare others or whether it was true, I don’t know.
I am sure I am one of many who would say their time at Bishop Lovett Middle School was the best: Miss Anderson (RE), Mrs Watts (Cooking), Mr Watts (Geography), Miss Williams (Country Dancing), Mr Ellis (History), Mrs Hedges, Mr Longhurst (Headmaster), Taffy (Sports Teacher), Mrs Hart.
What time period are you referring to. I was a pupil at bishop lovett
during the mid to late sixties and recognise some of those names.
’73 to ’76. I have a photo of teachers taken probably in the late ’60s. My sister, Paula, also went to Bishop Lovett in the late ’60s; she may have been in your year.
My twin brother reminded me today of other teachers you may recognise.
Mr ‘Taffy’ Morgan (Sports)
Mr Watts (Geography)
Mrs Hedges (I cannot remember what she taught, but she smoked a lot)
Mrs Watts (Cookery)
Mr Longhurst (Headmaster)
Miss Williams (Country Dancing)
Miss Anderson (RE)
Mr Woolley
Mr Brooks (Carpentry & Drums)
Mr Clark (Deputy Head)
Mrs Hart (Art)
Miss (Mrs) Skinner (Head of Kitchen/School Dinners)
Was she ever identified?
Not too many places called “Sutton Hall”. There are a couple remaining in Cheshire and Yorkshire.
The trouble is, although this story appeared round the country, how many papers would bother to publish a happy outcome?
She recalled her name two days later as Monica Billington (35), and believed she came from Southend on Sea
I think I’ve identified her. As Kate says, she eventually said she was Monica Billington, and that she had friends in Southend. She’s described as about 30 or 35. She’s named elsewhere as Minnie Billington of Buckinghamshire, and described as an orphan. She’s always referred to as “Miss”, so presumably single.
So, I think she was Minnie Billington, born in Clapham on 25th January 1888—the daughter of Edward, a builder, and Emily. She was re-baptised in 1921, as Monica Minnie Billington, in none other than Southend. Her parents had indeed both died before 1923.
I can’t find any reference to her living in Buckinghamshire, but in 1939 she was a munitions worker in East Dean, Gloucestershire, where she appears to have died in 1945.
Thanks Tim (and Kate) for “solving” the mystery. Now all we need to find out is how she came to be found on Binstead Hill. Knocked down by a motor car driven by a typical Island driver?
Or, had too many to drink at the Flemings Arms?
Nice work Tim and Kate