Sad news for WAHS

We are very saddened by the passing of two of our members this week, on January 24th.

Mrs Renee Lumley, who was a long time member of the society, and was Hon Treasurer for many years.

Dr Niall Byrne, Knight of Malta, former Chairman of the society.

May They Rest In Peace.

Ar Dheis Dé Go Raibh Siad.

First spring lecture: A Waterford born submariner, Ernest James Vernon Thornton

Our first lecture of 2012 will be delivered by Mr Anthony Kinsella on Friday 3rd February . The topic of the lecture will be

Lt. Ernest James Vernon Thornton RN

                                 1890 – 1912

                  A Waterford born submariner

Ernest James Vernon Thornton was born in the family home, The Grange, 32 John’s Hill, Waterford City on Saint Patrick’s Day, 1890. His father, Ernest Isaac Thornton, was a solicitor with of a large practice in Waterford City.
Ernest Thornton was educated privately by a governess before attending Cheltenham College between January 1901 and December 1904.
He was successful in the Royal Navy cadetship examination which was held in November 1904 and completed his naval cadet course in May 1906.
He then saw service aboard ship in the Mediterranean and in home waters before transferring to the submarine service in August 1911.
On 2 February 1912 submarine A3 was involved in a collision with a submarine tender and sank immediately, all hands were lost. Lieutenant Ernest Thornton was second in command of A3.
He is buried in Clayhall Royal Naval Cemetery, Gosport and there is a plaque in his memory in Christ Church Cathedral Waterford.

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS 2012

EVENTS 2012

Please note all lectures are now held in Edmund Rice Heritage Centre, Mount Sion, Barrack Street, Waterford.

Friday 3rd February Speaker: Mr Anthony Kinsella
Topic: Ernest James Vernon Thornton

Friday 24th February Speakers:  Dr Elizabeth Shee-Twohig and Mr James Eogan.
Topic: The prehistory of the Lower Suir Valley (8000 BC - 400 AD): the archaeology of Waterford City Bypass in perspective

Friday 30th March Speaker: Ms Ursula Hughes
Topic: Rosamund Jacob, a Waterford Woman: Feminist, Political Activist, Author and Historian

Thursday 12th April Annual General Meeting.
Details beforehand

Friday 27th April Speaker: Mr Brendan Delaney, Manager of Heritage
and Archives, ESB
Topic: Ardnacrusha and Waterford

SUMMER OUTINGS

Thursday 7th June Kells Priory, Co. Kilkenny with Mr Ben Murtagh
Meet in Kells at 7.15 pm

Sunday 17th June Coach Trip to Kinsale, Co Cork (Details beforehand)
- Guided tour of Charles Fort and Desmond Castle
- Tour of Kinsale including site of Spanish landing and battle site of 1601 with local guide Mr Dermot Ryan

Thursday 28th June Ahenny and environs, Co Tipperary
High crosses, Slate Quarries and passage tomb
With Mr Joe Sullivan

Sunday 15th July Duiske Abbey and Graiguenamanagh
With guide Mr Owen Doyle
Meet in Graiguenamanagh at 2.30 pm

Thursday 26th July Details to be confirmed.

Autumn Lectures will include: Ms Erica Fay on Captain McCleverty, Mr Julian Walton on the Sea Horse victims, and Ms Ann-Marie Ryan on Kilmainham Jail Museum & Waterford Connections.