Mourholme Local History Society is run by volunteers and has been since its inception over 40 years ago, unfortunately in that period, we have lost some personnel. Here are all the obituaries that have been published in our magazines.

The Late Mr. C.E.A. Burnham – An Appreciation by Jean Chatterley

After the death, in early April this year, of Dick Burnham, his family passed to the society four large box-files. The papers they contained are still being read and assimilated into the archives. I was fortunate to have a preview and found in those tightly packed boxes reflections of the many contributions he made to the life of the Mourholme Local History Society. There were carefully made notes on lectures made in classes held before the Warton History Group was born, and reams of notes resulting from his research work on seventeenth century documents, which are proving to be of considerable interest to the present research team. Dick’s many years as a Warton History Group and then Mourholme Local History Society committee member – he was my predecessor as treasurer – was seen in the neat stacks of minutes. One of the boxes was full of bank statements, receipts and such like- a full archive of the young Mourholme’s financial affairs. He managed the Publication Fund until a few weeks before his death – well into his early nineties – and was sharper with figures than I could ever hope to be! So, there are four box-files a testament to some twenty years service to local history and to Mourholme in particular. But as those of us who worked alongside him know only too well, they tell only a dry part of his contribution. His willingness to help and apply his professional expertise to our needs, his quiet way of dealing with difficulties, his lovely chuckle and smile, and always his gentlemanly courtesy – these will remain as greatly treasured memories of a lovely man, and good friend who will long be sadly missed.

Published in Mourholme Magazine Issue 33 1998

William Rollinson MA PhD FRGS 1937-2000 By Win Hayhurst and Kate Hodgson

March was a sad month to realise our friend and enthusiastic lecturer was no longer with us and we are sure those at the Mourholme will miss his visits to our History Society.

At a ‘Thanksgiving for Bill’s life’ held at the delightful Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin and St Michael at Urswick his friends and associates spoke of the various aspects to his busy life and it certainly, I am sure, made all those there remember the happy days of yesteryear.

Win and I met at classes in Warton and these soon included lectures held by the Extra Mural Dept, of Liverpool University’. After a year or so a new lecturer came to our area and, of course, it was Bill. We can’t remember which course of lectures was first — perhaps the Lake District, Norway, Iceland, Orkney and Shetlands, Isle of Man but which ever it was one was inspired. When hearing about the Lake District you could not but go to the various places he spoke of.

He also took study tours to his speciality Scandinavia. Neither of us was able to go on these tours — perhaps some of you were able to enjoy them. However, we were pleased at a later time to let him know that his lectures had not fallen on stony ground and that we had been encouraged to visit between us Norway, the wonder of Iceland and the historic sites on Orkney and Shetland and all because of his encouragement.

After the lectures our small group from Warton would call at a cafe and partake of tea and toasted tea cakes — which tempted Bill to join us and we all enjoyed good conversation.

Bill felt he was running out of new lectures for us but we were all delighted when he offered a course on the discoveries of the old explorers. Later we suggested winter lectures on Warton and being a good friend by then that is what happened and our numbers grew as the lectures were held in Warton itself. He ‘surrendered’ after that as it was getting very historical: but if we wanted to delve deeper into Warton history he knew just the man — and so the following year we met Paul Booth. After several more years and a wealth of information on Warton the Mourholme Local History Society was formed.

In February 1999 Bill ran a course of six lectures on ‘The Vikings’ with a surprise visit from a ‘fully equipped’ Viking – complete with sword, shield and helmet (without the mythical horns’!) During the lectures various Viking artefacts were on display.

What more can we add except ‘Thank you Bill’ for your friendship and for the interesting talks with which you have inspired us over the years and also at the Society’s meeting.

Brigadier Tryon Wilson – Honorary Vice President 1980-2001 by Jean Chatterley

The members of the MLHS will have been saddened to learn of the death of Brigadier Tryon Wilson in April. He had been one of our Honorary Vice Presidents for all of the society’s 21 years life. Although we did not see him at our winter meetings, he was amongst our keenest supporters.

At the time of our inauguration in 1980, he invited us to Dallam, his private home and the seat of the Lords of the Manor of Silverdale. The first thing to meet us were tables beautifully set out with old books, documents, charters, maps – a marvellous display of archives which he had brought together from various record offices and laid out just for us.

It must have taken many hours of planning and hard work. Then, on our tenth anniversary we were invited back. Many members will recall the gentle stroll, the Brigadier leading the way from room to room, everywhere permeated with the scent of wild garlic! No display of archives this time, but a carefully orchestrated route which ended in a large room lined with trestle tables on which was spread a buffet fit for royalty.

Completely unexpected, and so generous. Equally unexpected were the donations, always generous, always with a letter of encouragement in our research and thanks for his magazines. We, like so many other local groups and charities, have lost a good friend, and shall miss his interest in our life as a society. We responded to the wishes of his family by donating one of our books, in his memory, to Dallam School Library.

Professor Peter Yates.
Members will be very saddened to learn that we have also lost Peter Yates, who died recently. He was a very loyal member of the society, and will be greatly missed. Our sincere condolences go to his wife, May.

Published in Mourholme Magazines Issues 33 1998, 38 2000, 41 2001,