William 'Whisper' PICKNETT

William PICKNETT was baptised on 3rd May 1862 in St Peter's Church, Redcar. He married Hannah HUTTON and lived from 1884 until his death at 7 Fisherman's Row (South Terrace), Redcar. He was a fisherman.

William was, by all accounts, quite a local character. His son Harry Dawes described him as 'a hard and strict man who was very well respected'. There were a number of newspaper articles in the local press after his death due to a fractured skull as a result of being knocked down by a War ambulance. Apparently he was known as 'Whisper' because he was always shouting 'Fish alive, alive ho' to attract the punters when selling his day's catch along the streets of Redcar on his horse, Charlie, and cart.

William and Hannah had 11 children:

James William (1884 - 1884)

John James William (1885 - 1966) m. Annie SEATON (1897 - 1996)

Laura (16th January 1887 - 1973) m. Robert W KELL (1886 - 1971)

Hannah Maria Patten (b. 27th October 1888) m. Edwin Simpson JOY (b.1874)

Joseph Henry (26th June 1890 - 1894)

George Edward (30th November 1892 - 21st June 1918) m. Fanny WARDELL (b. 1894)

Joseph Henry (13th September 1894 - 1949) m. Ann Elizabeth HUTTON (1889 - 1926)

Charles Alfred (9th June 1898 - 1963) m. Hannah WATT (1895 - 1982)

Harry Dawes (27th October 1900 - 1982) m. Ivy PINCHIN (1900 - 1978)

Thomas (19th July 1902 - 1982) m. Isobel JONES (1903 - 1999)

Jane Elizabeth (1904 - 1984) m. Adam PETERSON (b. 1896)

I would like to express my deep sympathy with the relatives, observed Mr B. Wilkinson (coroner) on Wednesday at the inquest on Mr William Picknett. He added "I knew Mr Picknett when I was a lad and used to go with him many times in his boat. I know he held the respect of all people who came into contact with him. I am sure his loss - he was quite a character in Redcar - will be very much felt."

The inquest was held at the Redcar Police Station. Mr Picknett who was 82 years of age lived at South Terrace, Redcar. Dr Young stated that he saw the deceased at 12-40 p.m. on September 20th at Stead Hospital. He was unconscious and had a fracture at the base of the skull. He never regained consciousness and died two days later. The cause of death was the fracture.

P.C. Kidd came on the scene of the accident at 11-30 a.m. He found a military ambulance standing crosswise in the street leading to Pearson Street. There were skid marks on the road which was wet.

Mrs Florence Southern of Trafalgar Terr., Redcar, said she was walking along Coatham Rd behind Mr Isaac Onions and Mr Picknett. The ambulance passed her and then it got into a skid and seemed to be heading for the pavement. It mounted the pavement and knocked down Mr Onions and then she saw that Mr Picknett was also on the ground. The vehicle was going at a moderate speed.

Mr Onions, of Trafalgar Terrace, said he was walking down the road with Mr Picknett in front of him. The side wing of the vehicle knocked witness down and struck Mr Picknett, knocking him against the railings.

Pte J.B. Walker, R.A.M. said he was in the ambulance with Driver Beatrice Dartnell. They were on a duty drive. Their speed was not more than 25 miles an hour and they were on the right side of the road. The ambulance appeared to get into a skid and the driver was apparently thrown from the vehicle.

The driver did not give evidence.

Mr Wilkinson entered a verdict that the death was due to a fracture of the base of the skull accidently received as the result of being knocked down by a War ambulance.

A real Redcar character has gone to his rest in the person of Mr. William Picknett and a wide circle of friends will miss him. He was in his eighty third year. Member of a family prominent in local fishing circle, he had that native wit which gave his conversation a piquancy that one finds in these "old timers". Here is a classic example of Whisper - he was, so the story goes, taking out a party on his boat and had explained to them that he knew all the rocks in the sea about Redcar and Saltburn. Unfortunately the small boat struck one of them and the party had to scramble ashore slightly damp. One of them said to Whisper "I thought you knew all these rocks," and received the quick answer - "Aye I do - that's y'an of 'em!"