William and Janet Pattison's Children - Ellen - Travel to Peru

After a lot of research I eventually discovered that my Great Grandmother, Janet Little, probably died circa 1915 at the age of 57, leaving, William aged 46, Hilda 16 and Ellen 14, explaining how Hilda got to be "a naughty girl" with her dad working long back-breaking shifts down the pit.

Whilst researching Ships Passenger Lists I was surprised to find that Janet and Luke weren't the only family members to travel to Lima Peru.

Hilda's father, William Pattison, together with his younger daughter Eleanor (Ellen) left Liverpool on the 19th November 1925 on the Pacific Steam Navigation Company's ship 'Orcoma' for Callao Peru. 

"Orcoma"

ORCOMA

11.54 gross tons, length 511.6ft x beam 62.2ft.  One funnel, two masts, twin screw, speed 14.5 knots.  Accommodation for 246-1st, 202-2qnd, 106-intermediate and 456-3rd class passengers.  247 crew.  Launched on 2nd Apr 1908 by Wm. Beardmore & Co Dalmuir, Glasgow for Pacific Steam Navigation Co Liverpool.  She started her maident voyage on 27th Aug when she left Liverpool for the West Coast of South America via Straits of Magellan. She was the largest and fastest vessel on the South American Pacific coast route at the time.  From Mar 1915 she served as an Armed Merchant Cruiser with the 10th Cruiser Squadron on the Northern Patrol, fitted with 6 x 6in guns and 2 x 6 pounder guns.  She reverted to service after the war via the Panama Canal.  In 1923 she was modernised and coverted from coal to oil.  She was scrapped at Blyth in 1933.

Record of William and Eleanor (Ellen) leaving Liverpool for Peru on Nov 19th 1925

Again with only 'assumptions' to work on, the lack of employment will have, probably, been one of the main reasons why William decided to travel to Peru with daughter Ellen aged 20. As Janet Little in 2014 stated in her letter to her daughter Janet "hopping Look (Luke) has got back again all rite an that he is working fool time now but your father is just getting a chance day or to so." 

I spotted the mistake on the Ships List stating Ellen was 20 years old on the way to Peru, but, as she was born in 1900 she would be 25, but the returning Ship's List is correct as by then she was 26. 

Ellen had been born with very little hearing so at this time it would also have been very difficult for her to get employment. On discovering that their child was profoundly deaf, Janet and William will have sought to protect Ellen, as, at this time, most doctors (no NHS ) were ignorant of the behaviour or needs of the deaf, and the State just wasn't interested. I am sure my Great Grandparents lived for years with the fear that doctors could declare Ellen mentally defective.  

The family knew Ellen was not mentally defective, she just had very little education. When Ellen's father William died at the age of 55 in 1932, my Grandma, Janet, took Ellen "under her wing" and they continued to 'care for each other' until Janet died in 1978 aged 89.

Ellen and Janet in the garden of 13 Gregson Street Scotswood circa 1950s

Janet with Sister Ellen and Luke's Sister Amelia 'Meelie'

Whilst William and Ellen were living in Lima Peru, Hilda returned home on the "Orcoma" on the 4th February 1925.  I had initially assumed it was to visit her mother (but when you think about it why would William and Ellen 'upsticks' and leave Janet on her own). 

On the Ship's List Hilda gave the UK address as 16 Turns Buildings West Allotment, but, when I discovered that Janet Little had died in 1915, and the address Ellen and William left was Maud Terrace Shiremoor, this gives no reason and no idea who Hilda was staying with. We will never know!

This is the ships entry showing "Hilda Terry travelling from Callao, arriving Liverpool on the 4th February 1925.

"Orcoma" Ship List entry for Hilda Terry from Callao arriving Liverpool 4th Feb 1925

16 Turns Buildings West Allotment no longer exists, but this photograph is of Maud Terrace today (where William and Ellen were living when they left England).




West Allotment was originally a mining community. It comprised of only one housing estate, known to the locals as 'The Allotment' located approximately 4 miles inland from the coast, near Whitley Bay.  

William and Ellen obviously changed their minds about staying in Peru and returned home on the 2nd June 1926, and interestingly the Ship's record gives the address of my Grandma - c/o Mrs Dent, Munitions Huts, Stokeswood (should be Scotswood). Grandma did tell me that Hilda treat Ellen like a servant, indicating Ellen didn't have a job in Peru.  Even so William and Ellen managed to stay a little longer in Peru than Janet and Luke. 

Ships Entry for William and Ellen's return to England on the 'Orita' 2nd June 1926

Photograph taken of my Grandmother in the Munitions Huts Scotswood

ORITA (1903-1931)
9,266 gross tons, was the largest liner sailing to South America when built. 169-1st, 111-2nd and 528-3rd with 172 Crew. Her maiden voyable from Liverpool to Valparaiso and Callao via Cape Horn began 8th Apr 1903.  She started her first Liverpool - Panama Canal - Callao - Valparaiso sailing in Feb 1919.  Scrapped at Morecambe in 1931.

A view of Callao's busy Harbour today

William and Janet Clark's Children - Janet - Janet & Luke's Children - Jenny - Peruvian Mementos

Probably because of their very short stay in Peru, Luke and Janet did not bring back any souvenirs. However, thanks to Hilda and Carlos they were given what appeared to be gifts from their own possessions as mementos of their visit.

The first memento is really interesting because it was given to a 6 year old child; it has lasted the "test of time" and is a such a precious link to the past - I have hung it on the wall in my sitting room.

A Hundred year old Peruvian Tennis Racket

This was Carlos' Tennis Racket, which he painstakingly inscribed (with I am sure great love and affection) "to Jenny".

"To Jenny"

"Uncle Carlos"

"1924"

This is a crochet hook, and was probably bought or given to  my Grandma Janet.  Its design is very 'Inca' - carved in either ivory or bone, symbolising the sacred Condor and Snake.  

Peruvian Crochet Hook

Close up of the Fine Carving

My mother was given two unusual figures which appear to be a Sikh with his wife and child, made of terracotta.    

Terracotta figures

This tiny beautiful little basket was given to my mam, it now has only one handle, I believe it is also about 100 years old. 

A 100 year old tiny Peruvian Basket

It must have been difficult for Luke and Janet to set up home again.  I believe Luke went back to work for Vickers Armstrong, and Janet set about going to auctions and salerooms buying furniture.  Grandma had a good eye and bought some lovely antiques as at this time these were classed more as second hand furniture.  

Here is an example of the book-case she bought. I remember when they lived in Gregson street it was placed at the top of the staircase, where there was quite a large 'landing'.  She told me that it had been a ship's bookcase, and explained the large plinth had been added for stability. I now have it in my Dining Room. It is made of oak, and the Drawer in the middle converts into a writing desk. Apparently it had an ornate 'top hat' but the rooms in modern houses caused its removal. It was probably thrown out. 

Grandma's Book Case

William and Janet Clark's Children & William Pattison's Children - Janet - Janet & Luke & Daughter Jenny - Hilda & Carlos Peru

Although my mam (Jennie Dent) was only 6 years old when she accompanied her parents to Peru she told me she could remember being on board the Pacific Steam Navigation Co's ship 'Oroya'.  

Circa 1921 Jennie and Janet Dent

Because there was very few young children on board ship, Jennie was often invited into First Class where she was thoroughly spoilt. She also told me about going through the Panama Canal.  Even today it is still an amazing feat of engineering, greatly cutting journey times for passenger and freight shipping.

1914 The Opening of the Panama Canal

By June 1924 Janet, Luke and Jennie would probably be living with Hilda and Carlos.  Here is Janet's Peruvian paperwork.

Janet Dent's Peruvian Permit to Work

Janet Dent's Peruvian Permit to Stay

1920s Lima Peru

At the time Luke Janet and Jennie were living in Lima, it was a vibrant city. During its heyday it was quite the celebrity hotspot.  Famous visitors over the years included Ernest Hemingway, Richard Nixon, William Faulkner, Edward VIII, Greta Garbo, Charles de Gaulle, Nelson Rockefeller, Fulgencio Batista, Ava Gardner, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

Carlos loved Jennie (Hilda and Carlos never had children).  He called her 'Juanita', and used to sing "Ay ay ay ay canta no llores" in Spanish to her, and in turn she used to sing it to me and my sister Dorothy, quite a feat remembering 'most of the words' from such a young age - it is such a happy song with wonderful memories for her and now me. https://www.youtube.com/embed/5DrwY21nP1Q 

Apparently known as "Cielito Lindo" which is still a popular Ranchera song from Mexico written in 1882 by Quirno Mendoza y Cortes (c. 1859-1957). Roughly translated as "Lovely Sweet One" (lindo means cute, lovely or pretty) no wonder Carlos sang it to 'Juanita'.  It is now more commonly known as the Ay Ay Ay Ay song.

Whether it was 'homesickness' or there wasn't any jobs, Luke and Janet didn't stay long in Peru,  I found the ships log on 'Ancestry' showing that they arrived home on the 23rd August 1924, on the "Ortega", certainly if you take in the time it would take to sail to and from Peru in 1924 their stay in Lima didn't last long. 

The Ortega's 1924 Ship's Log

1927 Photograph of the "Ortega"

 

William and Janet's Children cont'd - Hilda Pattison meets Carlos de Terry

Hilda Pattison

Hilda, Janet Dent's half sister was born in 1900. 

Hilda must have been a bit of a 'Wild Child', as I remember my Grandma Janet saying "Hilda was a naughty girl." I suppose coming from a staunch 'Chapel' family her behaviour must have been quite shocking. 

Around 1918/1920 Hilda met a Peruvian student (Carlos de Terry) from Lima, Peru, who was studying mining engineering at Armstrong College (now part of Newcastle University). 

To actually travel to Newcastle upon Tyne from Lima Peru to study at the college shows it had a world wide reputation.

This is how Armstrong College looked in 1906. 

Armstrong College 1906

Carlos was a Geologist but I suppose from a country such as Peru, geology and mining went hand in hand.

Peru's mining industry began to prosper during the turn of the 20th century, furthered by Peruvian and foreign mining geologists, engineers, and entrepreneurs. Extensive exploration led to the discovery and development of many ore deposits.

Carlos must have been the answer to any poor girl's prayers.  Here was a handsome, educated young man, who could afford to travel to the UK, pay for his studies and be able to keep himself, 'a good prospect', and he had fallen for her.  

I was told by my cousin Dorothy (also a great grand-daughter of Janet Little) that Carlos was so smitten, he gave Hilda the money to travel to Peru, but she spent it. Undeterred Carlos then sent her a ticket; this time she took up his offer. 

I'd like to think that it was true love that spurred Hilda to travel alone from Scotswood to exotic Lima; it was a very long journey by boat. I wonder if she really thought it through, starting a new life in a country with an entirely different culture, different language (Spanish) to marry Carlos de Terry.  But, clearly she had a mercenary streak, as swapping a life of poverty for the life of a genteel middle class lady, with servants, money, nice clothes and a good social life, was 'no contest', and who could blame her! 

The Journey from Liverpool to Callao Peru

Hilda's sisters Ellen and Janet kept up regular correspondence, and perhaps at this time, Janet told her that Britain was experiencing huge unemployment, especially the North East, caused by the aftermath of the First World War. Perhaps it was Hilda who persuaded Luke 33 and Janet 34, along with their six year old daughter Jenny to travel to Peru for a job in the prosperous mining industry.

So, after 'selling up', on the 24th April 1924, Janet, Luke and Jenny boarded 'Oroya' at Liverpool sailing for the Port of Callao in Peru.

Ships Log for the Oroya taking Luke, Janet & Jennie to Peru

Pacific Steam Navigation Company's ship 'Oroya'

Ship Name:	Oroya
Years in Service:	1923-1939
Funnels:	1
Masts:	2
Shipping line:	Pacific Steam Nav Co
Ship description:	Built by Harland & Wolff, Ltd., Belfast, Ireland. Tonnage: 12,257. Dimensions: 525' x 62'. Twin-screw, 14 knots. Steam turbines. Two masts and one funnel.
History:	Broken up for scrap in Italy during 1939.

William and Janet's Children - Janet Clark

Janet Clark b 1888

In 1915 Janet Clark aged 23 married Luke Dent aged 24.  Her wedding dress was beautiful. Grandma said the feathers in that fabulous hat were Ostrich. The beading is so delicate. She also told me she was driven to the church in an open Landau. 

Janet Dent nee Clark, an Elegant Bride, in 1915 - Newcastle upon Tyne

A very young and handsome Luke Dent 

An Open Landau

Janet was born in Newcastle upon Tyne and Luke was born in Brandon County Durham. 

The 1911 Census shows Luke was aged 20, living with his family at 22 Montague Street Scotswood and is recorded as working as a coal miner (picker). 

Amazingly Montague Street still exists, as many houses in the Scotswood Benwell area have been demolished.  This is 22 Montague Street today.

22 Montague Street today (1st Left)

Janet and Luke married three years before the First World War broke out. I don't have a lot of information about Grandpa's time in the war.  His regiment was the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.  He was awarded the War Medal and Victory Medal - The British War Medal and the Victory Medal are the most likely medals to be found among family heirlooms. I don't know what happened to them.  I was told Luke was a 'runner' which meant one of his jobs was to 'run' between trenches with messages, I believe he was wounded.

Here is Luke in uniform.

Luke Dent in Uniform - Scotswood Newcastle upon Tyne

Restored

A while back I took this photograph frame apart to clean.  Inside I found the original receipt from James Bacon and Sons Photographers Studio.  It is dated 5th December 1918, which confirms Luke had been demobbed and was home.  The receipt also shows that this was an expensive photograph as it cost two guineas.

Can you imagine how this must have felt for both my Grandparents, they hadn't been married very long before Luke went off to war, and by the time he returned they had a young daughter Janet (Jenny). A joyous time for them, and similar couples and families, but unbearable for millions of families who would never see their loved ones again. Luke was one of the so called 'lucky' ones because he survived. 

Normally it takes quite some time for soldiers to be repatriated at the end of war, but Luke seems to have managed to get home quite quickly.  Perhaps it was his job at Vickers-Armstrongs that helped as working for such a company would be seen as vital work. 

Boiler Shop Vickers Armstrong 1928

This is Luke's Long Service Certificate from Vickers - Armstrongs which I am so proud of.  It was presented on completion of more than 40 years service 1915 - 1958 which means that by the time Luke and Janet were married in 1915 he had begun working for Vickers.

By 1901 (Queen Victoria's death) almost 60,000 people worked at the armament factory.  Armstrong's guns were world renowned.  His revolutionary rifled barrels and breech loading mechanism offered previously unknown speed and accuracy

In 1914 Janet Little wrote to her daughter Janet before Luke went off to war.  Grandma kept this letter and so have I.

Note I have translated as best I can and kept the spelling and grammar as it was written.

Janet Little's letter to Janet Page 1

August 28th 19l4

My dear daughter I now sit down to write a few line to you hoping to find you in good health as thank god it leaves us all at present and hopping Look (Luke) has got back again all rite an that he is working fool time now but your father is just getting a chance day or to so you see that we are among the

Janet Little's letter to her daughter Janet Page 2

Many and you may think it bad and unkind of your mother but not writing to you before now you need not for we are all like soldiers here for we cannot rest in the house I we are are getting all over since the war I think it is no nearer hand than it was at first dear Janet I don't know if I told you about your sister Mary writing to me again but I had a letter from her a fortnight since and she wanted a letter quick  

Janet Little's letter to her daughter Janet Page 3

An I write to her a week since and I never got one back yet it must not hafe pleased her or him and I wrote to your sister willehmina a week ago and we hafe not had word yet but she said in the last letter that will (Will Kearton husband) was losson no time with the war so that is a good job  Dear Janet I hafe thoughit more about it this last day or so then ever wich we can no helpit but them floting mines is going to 

Letter from Janet Little to her daughter Janet Page 4

be a bad job dear Janet we have had one of orsden soldiers shot him self they brought it in that way weather it was or not but we don't think he did and when you write again let me know you know that we can always spare a cup of te for you and look So I think I hafe said all this time from your ever loving father and mother william and janet Pattison so be good and keep trusting it is best it always come of best at the end and you will find that come true with love to all not forgetting yourself and look write soon back.

Around this time Luke and Janet were living in one of the 411 temporary Munitions Cottages in Scotswood built in 1916 for employees of the Armstrong Whitworth Factory. Note the studio photograph of Luke is on the side table. My mam inherited the table and then my sister, but unfortunately she no longer has it. 

Janet Dent Munition Cottages Scotswood Newcastle upon Tyne

Restored

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