In Memoriam

Bernard A. Bates

It must be nearly 50 years since Bates and I first met. He was then a young man studying for his examinations with “Williamson as coach.

Thus it was inevitable that he should be co-opted into some of the caving and chmbing excursions for which the cottage at Stainforth was the starting place.  This excellent headquarters was the choice of P. Botterill and H. Williamson.  With such strenuous beginnings he soon naturally aspired to become a member of the Y.R.C.

On occasion Bernard came with me on some early nautical trips.  On one of these, owing to a slight mishap, he earned for himself the soubriquet “Casabianca.” ( We subsequently recovered the anchor at low water).

Between the Wars Bates was an active member of the Committee and his work as Honorary Treasurer for so many years will long be remembered with gratitude by the Club.  During these years the sea claimed most of my spare time so that Bates and I came together but seldom.

But Mountain, Pot-hole and the Sea have it in common that they inculcate a spirit in their devotees — a spirit which makes the latter the most trustworthy and dependable of comrades.  It is just these qualities which will long live in our memories of a departed friend.

M. Botterill

Walter Meakin Roberts, 1876-1953

W. M. Roberts, O.B.E., M.A. who died 16th October, 1953 was a member of this Club from 1926, and of the Alpine Club from 1910 to 1948.  From the Manchester Grammar School he became a Scholar of Corpus Christi College, Oxford and won both the Junior and Senior University Mathematical Scholarships.  After five years at St. David’s College, Lampeter he was appointed a civilian instructor at “The Shop” (R.M.A. Woolwich) and became the professor of Mathematics in 1922.

When the first war broke out he was released in early 1916 to be a gunner cadet in the first O.C.T.U.  The later technical training being given by the major to a certain cadet corporal.  After service at the front in France, he raised and trained a battery, and finished the war at the Stokes Mortar School.  In 1939 “The Shop” closed down and he did valuable work as R.A. Major and instructor.  All his life he followed with interest the careers of the many sappers and gunners he had taught.

A great Alpine guideless climber, trained on the British hills, he began in 1904 with guides, but from 1909 on went guideless, often with his brother and with Dr. H. L. R. Dent and J. H. Hollingsworth.  He was one of the six who carried Boyd through the night out of Sunset Hole, but thereafter left pot-holing to one of the family.  However, in armistice times he took soldier parties through the Belgian Caves.

Resuming after the First War, he delighted in introducing to the Alps many beginners, who will remember him with the greatest affection, recalling his sound judgment, his humour and patience.  “Martin” Roberts was one of those few generous people who are prepared to take younger men on their rope year after year to train them.  His expeditions extended from Dauphine to the Stubaital.  He joined the S.A.C. in 1905, was a founder of the A.B.M.S.A.C. and joint Secretary 1923-31, President 1931-33.

E.E.R.

Henry Humphreys; Harold Humphreys

The name of Humphreys has for long been associated with the Y.R.C. and it is sad to record here the deaths of two members of this family, father and son, within a few weeks of each other.

Henry Humphreys died in February, 1953.  He had been a member of the Club from 1920, and previously a member of the Y.S.A.  He took part in many major pot-holing expeditions both with the Y.S.A. in his earlier days and then with this Club.  His caravan near Castleton formed the base for many explora­tions of Derbyshire caves and pot-holes.  He will be sadly missed by his many friends.

Harold Humphreys died suddenly on May 24th, 1953 whilst on holiday with his wife in Anglesey.  Following in the footsteps of his father and uncle, both life members of the club and past vice-presidents, he joined the Y.R.C. in 1929 and became interested in pot-holing, mostly in the Derbyshire district.  In recent years he suffered from ill health and was forced to curtail his activities, but continued to derive enjoyment from hill walking and fishing and attended many of the club meets.  The last meet he joined was at the Hill Inn on January 31st, 1953.  He will be long remembered by his friends for his good companionship, quiet patience and above all for the uncomplaining courage with which he faced his illness.

W.P.B.S., R.E.C.

Sir John Barran

Sir John Barran died in his sleep in his 80th year at his home Sawley Hall, Ripon on the 8th July, 1952.  He was born in Leeds, succeeded to the title in 1905, represented the Hawick Burghs in Parliament from 1909-1919 and stood for the N.W. Division of Hull in 1922, 1923 and 1924.  He was Managing Director of his family business John Barran & Sons Limited, director of numerous other companies, a Justice of the Peace, Chairman of Governors of Ripon Grammar School, and local Chairman of the National Playing Fields Association.  He displayed a keen interest in the activities of the Club since becoming a member in 1896, and his hospitality to the Club at Sawley Hall will long be remembered.

R.E.C.

Richard Noel Middleton

Noel Middleton died on 2nd July, 1951 at the age of 72 after a very short illness.  He was a life member of the Y.R.C., which he joined in 1901.

Although his principal interest in life was music, Middleton had a great love of the country and of the mountains; as a young man he spent many holidays in the Alps, Norway and the English Lake District.  In the later years of his life he spent many week-ends walking over the hills and enjoying the country­side of Upper Wharfedale and Little Langdale.  As a member of the Friends of the Lake District he always did everything he could to preserve the beauty and tranquility of the countryside.

A.L.M.

Walter Clarkson

Walter Clarkson died in 1953 after a long illness which latterly prevented him from taking any active part in outdoor activities.

All his life Clarkson was a keen supporter of the Co-operative Holiday Association, and of the Holiday Fellowship Movement.  He was also a member of the Leeds Association Football Club.

He started climbing at Almscliffe with Frankland and Charlesworth, and accompanied them in the Lake District and to Skye.  He joined the Y.R.C. in 1912 and served on the Committee in 1921 and 1922.

He had a fine baritone voice and sang at many of the Club’s Annual Dinners; in particular he is recorded (Y.R.CJ., Y.R.CJ., Vol. IV, No. 13, page 169) as having taken a prominent part in the 21st Annual Dinner in 1913, when he sang “Yorkshire,” “On Ilkla Moor” and “Ho! Jolly Jenkins.”

His passing away is deeply mourned by all who knew him.

A. Charlesworth

John Segar Roy Avila

John Avila fell to his death on Yellow Slab, Lliwedd, on 1st August, 1953, while taking part in the joint August Bank Holiday meet with the Rucksack Club.

When about 100 feet up the climb Avila was leading and was only a few feet above his companion, G. R. Robson, when he called ” Hold.” Robson, who was well belayed, braced himself to take Avila’s weight, but he fell past him on to the rocks at the bottom of the chmb, and was killed instantly.

The rope was a full weight nylon in good conditions.  It was evident that while Avila was falling it caught on a sharp piece of rock, which he had just been using as a foothold, and was cut through.

Avila joined the club as a junior member in 1951 and had climbed in Switzerland, Scotland and other parts of Britain.  His quiet friendly nature quickly endeared him to all who met him.  By his untimely death the club has lost not only a keen and promising climber but a valuable member and a happy companion.

H.G.W.