Died
3 April 1931 Aged 60 years
Born
1871
Sources
Barrow News
Ancestry
Place
Walks
Themes
Walter Arnold Raby, Trinity House Pilot
IN EVER LOVING MEMORY OF
WALTER ARNOLD RABY
TRINITY HOUSE PILOT
WHO DIED ON GOOD FRIDAY 1931
AGED 60 YEARS
The gravestone is very distinctive, with a roped lifebelt the centre-piece.
The Barrow Shipping Apprentices Register has Walter Arnold Raby signing his indentures on 23 January 1889, aged 18, for a period of 3 years. His master was Richard Raby (his father), of Piel Island, and the ship “Albicore”.
The picture (Walter Raby) was donated by The Bosun’s Locker café and is part of sheet showing the crew of The Second Thomas Fielden lifeboat, 1901 – 1927, which rescued the lives of 45 people.
The Barrow News 11 April 1931 reported:
Barrow News, 11 April 1931TWO OF THE BEST
Two genial old gentlemen who had lived in Barrow for many years and witnessed its ups and downs have passed away in the persons of ex-Coun. Walter A. Raby, of the Clarke’s Arms, Rampside, and Mr. Thomas Sandford, formerly of the Steelworks Hotel. The late Mr. Raby was a member of the Town Council for three years, and although his voice was seldom raised in public debate he was none the less an efficient member of the civic body, whose one object was to serve the best interests of the community. He sought no notoriety but he endeared himself to all who knew him well. His life was devoted to the sea, for he was a Trinity House pilot of long experience.
Walter Raby can be found on the Census returns on Ancestry:
1871
Living at the Cottage, Piel Island (the previous entry is the Pennington’s at the Ship Inn, so it may be next door) with his father Richard (29), born in Overton; mother Elizabeth (30), born in Baycliff; brothers Franses (sic) (6); William (4); Herbert (2). He is 6 months old.
1881
Aged 10, boarding with Hannah Johnson at 27 Lightburn Avenue, Ulverston, along with 5 other lodgers, including his 12 yr old brother Herbert. Both boys are scholars, while the others include a foreman printer, foreman letterpress printer, druggist’s assistant and a corresponding clerk.
I have been unable to find Walter on the 1891 Census. He may have been at sea on the relevant date.
1901
Now married to Jeanie H. Raby (25), they are living at 34 Trinity Terrace, Roa Island. Other documents tell us that the married in July 1900, and Jeanie’s maiden name was Strong.
1911
Still at 34 Trinity Terrace, his occupation is Trinity House pilot (Barrow & Fleetwood). Jeanie’s middle name is Hughes. They have been joined by Bessie Raby (6), and have a 20 yr old servant, Agnes Maud Wilson, born in Arbroath.
Baptism records: Dalton; 23 October 1870
