Nurse Lloyd's Rescue from Drowning at Caswell by Carol Powell MA
On Monday 23rd January 1911, The Mumbles Press reported on the 'smoking concert' held by Newton Men's Club to present Mr. Thomas Hocking of Newton with the Testimonial of the Royal Humane Society for his gallant rescue of Nurse Henrietta Lloyd of Swansea at Caswell Bay on 1 October 1910. She would go on to found the First Mother and Baby Clinic in Mumbles > and in her turn would help save more Mumbles lives.
Caswell Bay
During the evening, the President W. Williams recalled the circumstances of the incident. Nurse Lloyd had been caught in a strong current while swimming near the old waterworks at Caswell Bay (pictured). Mr. Hocking who was working in the grounds of the Caswell Bay Hotel, heard her cries for help and picking up a lifebuoy kept at the premises, ran down to the beach. Taking off his coat and boots, he ran over the rocks and then plunged into the sea. By this time, she had been carried round the point in the direction of Brandy Cove.
When he reached her, she was only just able to grasp the lifebuoy and though a strong swimmer, he had the greatest difficulty in bring the half-insensible woman into shallow water, where assistance was rendered by Mr. Lewis of Havergal Villa and Mr. James Llewelyn. Both rescuer and rescued were then put to bed at the hotel. Hocking was so bruised and exhausted that he was unable to return to work for a couple of days. Nearly two months would pass before Nurse Lloyd recovered from the effects of her misadventure. The Vicar, who made the presentation on behalf of the R.H.S. spoke of the 'noble act performed by their friend Thomas John Hocking'.
In addition to the testimonial inscribed on vellum, Thomas received a silver cigarette case inscribed ' From Nurse Henrietta Lloyd in grateful remembrance for saving her life at Caswell Bay'. Her daughter, Olwen gave a bible and from her friend, a silver matchbox in thanks. Mr. Powell wished to add a few words as he knew Nurse Lloyd very well as she had been instrumental in saving the life of a near relative of his and he 'felt all the more grateful to Mr. Hocking. 'Mr. Hocking in his answering speech said modestly that he 'had only done his duty'.
The ceremony was followed by a concert during which 'some capital songs were rendered’ including 'The Women of Mumbles Head' sung by Mr. Christopher. Mr. Barlow played the pianoforte.
Acknowledgments
The Mumbles Press, 23rd January 1911
