John Henry BOYNTON

‘Royal Leamington Spa Courier and Warwickshire Standard’ (19 August 1932)

Drowning Fatalities at Barford and Harbury

GIRLS WHO COULD NOT SWIM

HELPLESS COMPANIONS

FATAL SWIM IN CHESTERTON MILL POOL

COMPANIONS POWERLESS TO ASSIST

Theodosia Gornall Boynton, aged 16, of Binswood End, Harbury, met her death in Chesterton Mill Pool, one of the loveliest spots in Warwickshire, lying, as it does, in the valley beneath Chesterton Windmill. Thither she had gone with other companions, and although she could not swim but a few strokes she ventured into the treacherous Mill Pool. When she got into difficulties her companions–who could not swim–were powerless to help her.

The mother of the deceased girl, Mrs. Violet Ellen Boynton, a widow, said that at 1 p.m. on August 12th, her daughter left home saying that she was going to Chesterton Mill to bathe. She had been bathing there the day before with other friends. When her daughter told her that she was going to bathe, witness advised her to be careful, as she was not sure that the girl was capable of swimming. The next witness heard was that her daughter had been drowned. Deceased did not tell her mother that she was going to meet a friend, which she did seeing that she did not join the other girls at Chesterton Mill Pool till 5 p.m.

Betty Hillyard, of Farm Street, Harbury, a pupil teacher, said that about 5.10 p.m. deceased came to where they were sitting near the edge of Chesterton Mill Pool, and had tea with them. After that they went to the brook near the pool and had a bathe. There were several other girls there besides herself and Miss Boynton. They came out of the brook and turned to the pool, when deceased said she would just have one swim and then go home.

The Coroner: Had you ever seen her swim?–Witness: Just a little in the brook, and the night before she had swum a little bit in the big pool. She managed then quiet satisfactorily. She swam only a few strokes.

Continuing, witness said that they tried to dissuade her from going in. She said she would be all right if the girls did not start screaming at her. Deceased went in and did three or four strokes and got where it was deep. She appeared then to get into difficulties. Witness ran for help to the cottage by the Mill Pool, but no one was in there. She ran further up the road, but there was nobody about. There was nobody around the pool except herself and other companions, none of whom could swim.

Dorothy May Biddle, of Farm Street, Harbury, a schoolgirl, said that she was sitting at the edge of the Mill Pool with the last witness watching ducks swimming. She saw deceased enter the Mill Pool and start to swim across. She had gone two of three yards from the edge when she got into difficulties. She lay still on the water and waved her arms about, and then went under. She was still struggling when she disappeared. Witness saw her come up twice and then saw her, through the water, lying on the bottom.

Mrs Harriet Hewitt, of Binswood End, Harbury, another of the party, corroborated the evidence of the previous witnesses.

Dr. John Forrest said that before being recovered the body had been under the water for about half-an-hour. Artificial respiration had been applied without success. Death was due to suffocation by drowning.

James Sollice, of Binswood End, a bricklayer, said that he came down to the Pool shortly after the deceased had gone under. He came in response to appeals for assistance. The point where she had gone under was indicated to him, and he dived in, found the body, and got it out. The water was between 12 and 14 feet deep.

Mr. Hadow said there was only one verdict he could record, viz., that the girl had been accidentally drowned. A technical question arose–did she have cramp or not? The signs they had heard of throwing up her arms would be consistent with cramp or pure “funk” at finding herself out of her depth. He was of the opinion that she was in a “funk.”

At this point Sollice asked if he might speak. On the night previous to her death when deceased had been bathing in the pool, he said, she had told him that she could swim out but could not turn round.

The Coroner recorded a verdict that deceased had been “accidentally drowned” and expressed his sympathy with the mother in the sudden loss of her daughter at so young an age. It was easy to be wise after the event, said Mr. Hadow, but it would be well for all children to be taught to swim. The difficulty in a comparatively dry county like Warwickshire was that few suitable spots to teach them could be found.

‘Royal Leamington Spa Courier and Warwickshire Standard’ (7 July 1944)

Harbury Mother’s Heavy Bereavement

Few wives and mothers have been called upon to bear bereavement as heavy as that which has fallen to the lot of Mrs. Violet E. Boynton, of Binswood End, Harbury, whose husband (Pte. J. H. Boynton, Royal Warwickshire Regiment) died of wounds in the 1914-18 war, and whose two sons are now reported to have been killed in action. Notification concerning one was received on Monday in last week, and on Saturday came news of the other.

A few years ago Mrs. Boynton’s daughter was accidentally drowned at Chesterton Mill pool.

Sapper Geoffrey Charles Boynton, youngest son, was called to the Colours in February 1942. He served in the Royal Engineers, and was attached to the tanks. A well known and respected boy in the village, Geoffrey attended Harbury C. of E. School, and on leaving was employed by Messrs. Hyde, builders, Southam. He saw plenty of action, and was killed during the fighting in Normandy a few days before his 21st birthday.

His brother, Trooper Henry Gornall Boynton, aged 34, saw 18 years’ service in the Warwickshire Yeomanry. He had been abroad for over four years. “Harry” was educated at Ladbroke School, leaving there to serve an apprenticeship with Warwick Eagle. At the age of 16 he joined the Yeomanry. He took part in the campaign in Iraq, and was one of “Monty’s” boys at El Alamein.

A memorial service will be held in All Saints’ Parish Church, Harbury, on Sunday next at 3 p.m.

[Photographs of Geoffrey and Henry accompany the article.]

England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995

1948

BOYNTON Henry Gornall otherwise Harry Gornall of Binswood End Harbury near Leamington Spa died 15 June 1944 on war service Administration Birmingham 6 March to John Thomas Thorpe motor agent. Effects £183 12s. 3d.

BOYNTON Violet Ellen of Binswood End Harbury Warwickshire widow died 27 June 1947 at Warneford Hospital Leamington Spa Probate Birmingham 5 January to John Thomas Thorpe motor agent. Effects £426 12s. 10d.