DURING August 1915, the First World War was continuing to rage in Europe with countless casualties. But what was life like on the home front in St Helens during those dreadful days?

Local historian Stephen Wainwright – who publishes the Sutton Beauty & Heritage website – has been trawling through old newspapers to chronicle some of the events that were happening in our town 100 years ago this month.

In many ways despite the war, life went on as normal in St Helens. This included Albert Newton from Rolling Mill Lane who continued to “play the fool” when drunk. These were the words of Chief Constable Ellerington in describing to magistrates how the Sutton stoker had come to throw himself into a reservoir.

After being fished out by his brother-in-law, Albert, 38, had told the police that he did it to “be out of the road”. On August 2, Newton was remanded in custody for a week charged with attempting to commit suicide, which was only decriminalised in 1961. When Newton returned to court he promised to be teetotal and was discharged back to his family.

On the 3rd of the month, a troupe of comedy acrobats known as the Van Dammes appeared in St Helens Police Court charged with entering a prohibited area. St Helens held that status due to the large number of works engaged in war production. Consequently non-British nationals were forbidden from visiting the town without permission. The acrobatic Van Dammes - comprising Joseph, Louis and Charles Reekmans - were booked to perform at the Hippodrome Theatre and had visited St Helens police station asking to be registered. Although the trio, who claimed to be Belgians, possessed alien registration documents, they held no passports and the police learnt that they’d been born in Germany. There was much suspicion against foreigners during the war and so the brothers were remanded in custody for a week while enquiries were made. The Reekmans had actually lived in Britain for 20 years and were regular music hall performers nationwide. However the acrobatic trio were still fined the considerable sum of £15 when they returned to court.

An inquest into the drowning of three lads that was also held on Tuesday 3rd, was told how Thomas Boardman had heroically lost his life. The 14-years-old had been standing by the side of the canal opposite Southport Colliery in Parr when he saw 11-year-old Walter Johnson of Newton Road fall into the water. Thomas, of Parr Stocks Road, immediately jumped in to attempt a rescue but Walter gripped him so hard that the pair sank to the bottom. Six-year-old John Travis, of Juddfield Brow in Haydock, also drowned in a separate incident while fishing in the canal. Many boys lost their lives in a similar fashion in old St Helens. The town’s canal network, plus numerous works’ reservoirs, ponds and clay pits, were very attractive for adventurous lads who often underestimated danger.

On the 5th of the month St Helens Town Council held their monthly meeting. As countless lives were being lost at Gallipoli and on the Western Fronts, a lengthy discussion took place on whether councillors should get free lunches when on council business. Finally Cllr. Wood said their discussion reflected badly on the dignity of the council and they voted in favour of paying for their food.

Friday 6th was a day of pride and despair for different families in St Helens. It must have been a proud moment when the mother of Company Sgt. Major F. Smith of the 5th South Lancs, learned that her son had been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. The 33-year-old from Keswick Road had rescued six men who’d been buried after an explosion. However at the same time it was announced that five St Helens members of the same regiment had perished in France.

Mor next week