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Record #16252
Name :
: Charles TOWNLEY (1912 - )


Father
:
Mother
:
BMD and other details
Date of Birth
: 1912 (approx.)

Marriage (1)
:
Marriage (2)
:

Date of Death
:
Abode (1) : Place of BirthEngland
Abode (2) : Place of Death / Burial
Sailing Information
Date of Arrival
: 18 May 1930
Country
: Canada

Ship
: Montrose

Placement Family
: Cramp
Homes / Agencys
Institution (GB)
:

Agency
: Labourers & Domestics
NotesIn 1930, Charles Townley, 18, arrived at Quebec, Canada, in a group of 25 young persons who were under assisted passage and en route to various locations.

On Thursday, February 24, 1938, in the Toronto Star, it was reported that:

YOUNG FARMER BRAVES FLAMES TO SAVE CHILD

Taken From Second Storey by
Ladder After Entering
Second Time

CREPT ON FLOOR

Special to The Star

Meaford, Feb. 24.--Charles Townley, a young Englishman, rescued two-year-old Gordon Cramp from the blazing home of Bryan Cramp in St. Vincent township.

Through smoke and flame, Townley, hired man on the Cramp farm, crawled to the youngster, who was trapped on the second floor of the brick farmhouse. Back through the thick smoke he carried the child until both fell down a flight of stairs to safety.

To-day The Star found Mr. Cramp and Townley standing guard over the still warm ashes of their home. Inside a brick fireplace was all that was left. The two men had watched the blaze all night for fear a wind would carry sparks to a nearby barn.

On three farms scattered over the township Mrs. Cramp and her six children were given shelter. At the home of Betty Johnson, Cramp's hired girl, young Cramp showed his scorched boots.

Blaze Started Quickly

"I was talking on the telephone when I heard a crackling noise," Mrs. Cramp said, "I went back to the kitchen and opened the door and the smoke just poured out. I didn't know what could have happened. There was nothing on the stove and it wasn't the pipe. I rushed to find the three children who were playing downstairs to get them outside. When they were safe I remembered I had left Gordon sleeping upstairs a half-hour before the fire started.

"I called Charley Townley from the barn. I couldn't remember in which room I had put Gordon so Charley wasn't sure where to find him. He hurried upstairs, crawling on his hands and knees to escape the smoke. He heard Gordon crying and was able to save him. As he came downstairs he stumbled and the pair of them fell down teh flighte of stairs. Thank goodness they were saved.

Entered Second Time

"As soon as he rescued Gordon," Mrs. Cramp continued, "Charley dashed into the house again to see what he could save. He was trapped on the second floor. By that time the neighbors had arrived and they got him down on a ladder."

Banks [Cramp] is one of the younger farmers of the district. Last December, when robbers held up a bank at Maple, Mr. Banks [Cramp] pursued them in his car. He was unable to halt them.

"I may as well walk off the place," he said as he watched the flames, "Everything I have is in there."

Formed Bucket Brigade

"We thought we had the blaze under control at one time," Townley said, "The neighbors formed a bucket brigade while we waited for the Meaford fire department to come. Somehow the Meaford boys missed the turn and were late in arriving, The fire was out of control when they reached us.

"When Mrs. Cramp called me I just ran upstairs and found Gordon. The smoke was very thick. I didn't take time to cover up my face, I could hear the boy crying and choking. Once I got to him I ran outside as fast as I could.

"Luckily the telephone was still working and I called the operator. About that time part of the roof fell in and the flames leaped out. I got some water and ran upstairs to try to get at the flames, I opened the door of a room and the smoke and heat almost knocked me over. It was then that I was trapped and had to escape down the ladder. Fortunately I was not hurt."

Bryan Cramp feels a close kinship to-day for the man who saved the life of his child. Together they were standing watch over the ruins. Cramp built most of the house himself four years ago. It was only partly covered by insurance. The farm is three miles from Meaford. 
ContributorsCreated : 2012-05-21 21:37:57 / From original database

Last Updated : 2012-05-21 21:47:01 /

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Surnames starting with:   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  3 Entries        
IDNameDOBPlace of birthArrivals & ShipsDest.AgencyFamily links
16252 TOWNLEY, Charles1912ENG,     May 1930 : Montrose CAN Labourers & Domestics  
10254 TOWNLEY, Matilda1901ENG, GLS, Stroud May 1908 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
10255 TOWNLEY, Sydney1896ENG,     Jul 1905 : Siberian CAN Middlemore