George was born in Higher Bebington and was married to Hannah and had 3 Sons, John, Kenneth and Samuel who were aged 6, nearly 2 and 4 when George died
Not just any old bonfire this one was 40ft high & 25ft across.
"just before mid-day three men were hauling barrels of hot pitch to pour over it when the whole structure collapsed. George Williams who was 32 was trapped under a beam. George Owen dragged him out but he died in the ambulance that was taking him to hospital just as it passed his house.His widow, Hannah, gave birth to a daughter, georgina 5 weeks later. A memorial Stone to him was erected in the churchyard by subscription from the people from the village. George Owen was later awarded the Humane Society life saving medal, for his act of courage.....because of the tragedy the celebrations were cancelled. The material was burned off during the day and although it was well into the field the heat was such that it blistered the paint on the houses in Mill Terrace" taken from Fir-Bob Land by Allan Alsbury.
The bonfire was built in a field known as Tyson's Field close to Higher Bebington School, where another large bonfire had been built in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. The two old glass lantern slides below show this bonfire, with the School and Mill in the background. The 1902 bonfire was an attempt to build an even bigger one that went tragically wrong.
The bonfire was built in a field known as Tyson's Field close to Higher Bebington School, where another large bonfire had been built in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. The two old glass lantern slides below show this bonfire, with the School and Mill in the background. The 1902 bonfire was an attempt to build an even bigger one that went tragically wrong.