Individuals marked with a red dot are direct ancestors of Martin Graville
For privacy reasons, Date of Birth and Date of Marriage for persons believed to still be living are not shown.

Gravel, George W (b. --Not Shown--)

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Note: WINIFRED M. GRAVILLE, F.R.H.S. Author and Lecturer.

generally acknowledged to be one of the foremost authorities on the Folk-Lore of Herbs, Flowers, Trees and Old World Gardens, besides being (to quote from the Bulletin of the Rotary Club of Sheffield) " a born speaker" with a lively sense of humour and of a ''ready wit." Miss (Graville's reputation is such that the City of Sheffield has entrusted her with the creation of an Old World Garden, which will be one of the sights of the city.

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Note: Drowning tragedy brings Thorne to a halt

A DROWNING fatality of an exceedingly sad and tragic nature took place in the River Don at Stainforth on Wednesday, when four occupants of a governess car were precipitated into the river and drowned — so a report read in the Doncaster Chronicle edition of September 2nd. 1910.
The accident had occurred on August 31st and the occupants of the trap were all members of a well respected Thorne family. They were Mrs Lilian Dawson (26). wife of Mr Samuel Dawson, a sailor, and daughter of Mr William Gravil, miller of Northfield mill: her son. Albert Leslie, aged 4: Miss Harriet Gravil (24), Mrs Dawson's sister: and Miss Edith Gravil (20): her cousin and daughter of Mr John Gravil. Blacksmith of Bromley, near Rotherham.

THE ACCIDENT

An inquest was held at the Red Lion Hotel. Thorne (now the site of Nat West Bank), presided over by Mr F. E. Nicholson (Coroner for the Doncaster District) and a jury whose foreman was Mr J. Servant of Thorne, was told of the events leading up to the tragedy.
Mrs Dawson and her son had walked over from Thorne during the day to pay a visit to her brother. Mr Clement Gravil, who resides at Stainforth Lock, on the bank between the canal and the River Don.
That evening Mr Walter Henry Coney, draper and outfitter of King Street. Thorne. who was engaged to be married to Miss Harriet Gravil, drove a pony and governess cart to Stainforth to bring Mrs Dawson and her son back to Thorne. Edith Gravil accompanied the engaged couple on the journey.
The approach to Mr Clement Gravil's house is across the Prior Bridge, and then along the grassy bank of the river for about 200 yards, entrance to the bank, which is not often used for vehicular traffic, being through a wooden gateway. The bank is only wide enough to allow the passage of one vehicle at a time. It is a very steep slope down to the water.
The return journey was commenced at eight o'clock, and the party had reached the gate leading from the river bank, and then had to turn sharply to the right to go through the gate leading across to the Prior Bridge. Mr Coney got out of the trap to open the gate and while he was doing so. the pony either took fright or was grazing. No one witnessed the accident, but Mr and Mrs Cowling, the keepers at the Prior Bridge heard screams. Rushing out they saw Mr Coney scrambling up the river bank. Nothing else was visible with the exception of the hats of the party which were floating on the surface of the river. It transpired that Mr Coney had jumped into the river in an endeavour to save the drowning persons. He was taken in an exhausted condition to Stainforth lock where he remained at the house of Mr Clement Gravil all night.
The police were contacted immediately and assisted by keelmen from Stainforth. dragging with grappling irons commenced. Within minutes the pony and trap were
recovered but although the search was continued until midnight no bodies were found. The three young women were recovered the following morning, but the youngster wasn't found until two weeks later in the river at Fishlake.

THE INQUEST

It was agreed that once a horse commenced to back at this spot there was no hope and the inquest accepted the suggestion that it was more than likely the reins were pulled causing the animal to back, the idea being it had probably lowered its head to graze.
A witness told the Coroner's inquiry that the bank was hollow and bad to drive on. Along the bank it was safe, but at the corner, "it is in a sense a death-trap to anything that might move. "
The Coroner said, "lt was quite clear that there had been no neglect on the part of anyone, including the gentleman who drove the trap. He thought something might be done to remove the dangerous turning into the gate in the future. There was only one verdict — "Accidental death. "

LAID TO REST

"From Northfield mill the cortege passed over into St Nicholas Road and then to the church. Upon the mill wagon rested the three simple pitch pine coffins covered with beautiful wreaths and floral tributes — the only bit of colour in the large assembly of mourners and spectators.
"The wagon was drawn by a fine white horse led by Mr R. Moore. Immediately behind came the sorrowing and grief stricken mourners, supporting each other as
best they could. Behind them were friends and sympathisers including representatives of all sections of the community in Thorne and district. Every clergyman of every denomination in the town also attended.
"The new Wesleyan minister. Rev. F. V. Walker had only taken up his Thorne post two days previously and so his first duty was the sad one of assisting the Vicar of Thorne, the Rev. J. J. Litllewood in the burial of three good Wesleyans.
"At 1 o'clock on that Saturday afternoon from the tower of the old grey church of St Nicholas the dreaded funeral knell sounded its monotonous note with doleful regularity. 'Never has Thorne appeared under such depressing circumstances before. All business was at a standstill, the tradesmen drew their blinds, private residents without exception paid the same tribute of respect, almost even-body who was abroad wore some signs of mourning. The people paid universal tribute on this genial September Saturday. The countryside was smiling, the air fresh and invigorating, nature indeed never seemed more bland and beautiful but over alt was this dreadful pall of sorrow, this gloom of grief. There was no music either in church or at the graveside: the proceedings were quite sufficiently impressive and touching without this. "
Ironically Mr Dawson, the husband of one of the unfortunate victims was an expert swimmer. He had saved eight lives from drowning and was the holder of the Royal Humane Society's Medal.

Acknowledgement to the Donner sisters, grand-daughters of Mrs Lilian Dawson and to the Doncaster Chronicle.

Birth: 1906 Thorne

Death: 31 AUG 1910 Stainforth

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Birth: 1903 Rotherham

Death: AUG 1904

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Birth: 1921

Death: ABT 1937

Birth: 15 AUG 1926 Glasgow

Death: 12 JAN 1990

Birth: 24 SEP 1902

Death: 1979 Sheffield