Heroes of Everyday Life and the Loss of the Hospital Ship Rohilla

During the First World War, disaster and heroism weren’t just found at the front, but at home as well. During this joint talk, Craig Barclay and John Wilson will discuss the history of the hospital ship SS Rohilla, which sank at Whitby in October 1914, and the stories of the North Tyneside heroes that rescued the survivors of this and other ships.

John Wilson is the grandson of a crew member of the Rohilla, Craig Barclay is the Curator of the Oriental Museum in Durham. They share a research interest in the history of lifesaving and lifesaving medals in general, and the story of the Rohilla in particular.