Mary Wheatland (née Norris, 16 August 1835 – 1 April 1924)[1][2] was a swimming instructor, bathing machine keeper and life-saver. Wheatland who was credited with saving over 30 lives and was a recipient of the Royal Humane Society's Bronze Medal and testimonial on vellum.
Mary Wheatland | |
|---|---|
 Wheatland in 1879 | |
| Born | Mary Norris 16 August 1835 |
| Died | 1 April 1924 (aged 88) |
| Known for | life-saving |
Mary Norris was born in 1835 in the Sussex village of Aldingbourne. By the age of 14 she moved to Bognor to work for a Mrs Mills. Originally a domestic servant she was appointed to run the bathing machines belonging to Mrs Mills.[3] She would continue to run the bathing machines until 1909.[1]
In 1857 she married George Wheatland with whom she had seven children.[4]
Working by the sea and a keen and strong swimmer Wheatland took to the waters to rescue bathers who had got into difficulties, the first rescue being recorded when she was still only aged 16.[1] By 1879 she had rescued 13 people and the Royal Humane Society recognised her achievements and presented her with the society's testament on vellum.[3]
George died in 1880 leaving Mary to carry on working and to raise the children.[1]
In 1903 a benefit concert was arranged for her at which she was presented with the Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal, a second testament on vellum and a silver medal for gallantry by the publishers of the magazine, Golden Penny.[5][a]
Wheatland retired in 1909 but continued to be seen around town until her death in 1924.[6][7]
Notes edit
References edit
- ^ a b c d "Bognor's Mary". Bognor Observer. No. 2600. 12 September 1923. p. 3 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Mary Wheatland dead". Bognor Observer. No. 2630. 9 April 1924. p. 5 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ a b "The Grace Darling of Bersted". Illustrated London News. No. 2111. p. 24 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Meet Mary, Bognor's life-saving 'mermaid'". The Argus. 27 December 2006. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
- ^ "Mary Wheatland, "the bathing woman"". Bognor Observer. No. 1519. 11 February 1903. p. 5 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ a b Barclay, Craig Peter (2009). Heroes of Peace: The Royal Humane Society and the Award of Medals in Britain, 1774–1914 (PDF) (PhD). York University. pp. 179–180.
- ^ "Death of Mrs Mary Wheatland, One who saved Thirty Lives". West Sussex Gazette. No. 3614. 10 April 1924. p. 4 – via British Newspaper Archive.