First female awarded for gallantry honoured by St Helens Borough Council as part of new blue plaque scheme

Article date: 12 July 2024

In 1881, Hannah Rosbotham, a 23-year-old assistant schoolmistress at Sutton National School, was teaching a class when a 'gale of terrific fury' dislodged the school belfry; sending stones, a large metal bell, and heavy debris down into one of the school's classrooms.

'While others fled for safety, Miss Rosbotham deliberately entered among the falling mass and cloud of dust; and, while fully conscious of the extreme danger to which she was exposed, remained on the spot until every child had been placed in safety' - reported the London Gazette in December 1881.

In recognition of her bravery, Queen Victoria conferred the Albert Medal on Hannah, who became the first female recipient of the award at that time.

One-hundred-and-forty-three-years on as part of a new project run by the council to honour and acknowledge the individuals, places and events that have contributed to the unique heritage of the borough, a blue plaque has been installed at the same, which is now home to Sutton Family Hub on Ellamsbridge Road.

To mark the unveiling of the plaque today (Friday 12 July), a small ceremony was held outside Sutton Family Hub, with the deputy leader of the council, Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron MBE; Mayor of St Helens Borough, Councillor Jeanette Banks - and distant relatives of Hannah, among those in attendance.

Councillor Kate Groucutt, St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Business, Culture and Leisure, said: "Blue plaques connect the past and the present in the most tangible way; making history more accessible to current generations and allowing us to share the stories of some amazing people. 

"Our first two plaques commemorate the strong women of St Helens. With our proud industrial legacy, the names associated with the history of our borough are often male industrialists. They left an important legacy but through this scheme we want to showcase some lesser-known individuals who nonetheless deserve to be recognised for their unique contribution to our history."

The next part of the scheme will see a blue plaque unveiled at Queens Park Leisure Centre in late August in recognition of St Helens Ladies FC who played on during the Football Association 1921 ban on women's football, with future plaques open to public nominations. To read about the guidelines and fill in the nomination form, please visit  www.sthelens.gov.uk/archives