Susan Prowse-Tako's August Prowse Highlights
- Sue Prowse-Tako
- Aug 1
- 10 min read
August 1191: William de Preux saves Richard the Lionheart during the 3rd Crusade. William, the 4th son of Osbert & Matildis de Preaux, was attending the King while hawking outside of Joppa in Palestine when the Saracens surrounded their party. William cried out 'I am the King' in the Saracen tongue and was himself taken prisoner while Richard the Lionheart escaped. Richard reclaimed William from the Saracens before he left the country by exchanging him for 'ten of the greatest noblemen among his prisoners, thus manifesting the esteem he had for that brave man, whom he alone valued at the rate of ten princes'! (see p.109 'Prowse F. H. Book, 3rd Edit)
1 August 1833: An Act of Parliament frees all slaves in the British nation's territories, however, the original bill abolishing the slave trade passed in 1806. Granville Sharp, brother of Elizabeth Sharp Prowse who was wife of George Prowse (1737-1767) of Wicken Park, Northants, is known as the 'Father of the Anti-Slavery Movement' as he brought, and won, a test case to the English courts in 1772 stating that “as soon as a slave sets foot on the soil of the British islands he becomes free”...and in 1787 a committee was formed under his presidency to abolish the slave trade. It took 20 years but this was finally achieved in 1806.(p. 183-186, 'Prowse F.H. Book, 3rd Edit'.)
3 August 2007: Andy Prowse, a Ministry of Defence (MoD) police officer, was among 11 officers given Commendations for displaying courage, commitment and professionalism in the rescue of 3 U.S. Submariners swept into the sea from USS Minneapolis St Paul in Plymouth Sound. (see p.391, in my 'Those in Peril' book)
8 August 1588: The Spanish Armada is finally defeated after Fireships, commanded by Captains Yonge and Prowse, scatter the Spanish fleet on the night of 7/8 August. The identity of 'Captain Prowse' remains elusive although there are several members of our family who qualify! (see pp.107-110, 'Those in Peril').
8 August, 1815: Napoleon Bonaparte sets sail for St. Helena to spend the remainder of his days in exile. Lt. William Jones Prowse R.N., (1788-1860) of H.M.S. Conqueror, spent a couple of years patrolling around the island to ensure that Napoleon could not escape. In 1840 he married the Hon. Rachel Emily Irby, daughter of the 3rd Baron Boston of Hedsor and had 2 sons. He is the ancestor of the Kingston Manor branch of the family.
13 August 1896: Sir John Everett Millais's death, age 67. Millais was reputedly the highest paid painter in the world”. In 1885, Millais became the first artist to receive a baronetcy, and in 1886 his painting of his grandson, William James, called “Bubbles' was used by the Pears' Soap manufacturers to advertise their product. The link to our Prowse family is through the marriage of Millais' granddaughter, Esme Edith Millais to Charles Anthony Prowse (1904-1981), son of Charles Bertie Prowse (1869-1916) of WWI fame. Their daughter, Thea, married Desmond Parsons and had Benedict (our family photographer) and Katherine. Millais' grandson, Admiral William James, had a distinguished career in the Royal Navy, even serving aboard HMS Queen Mary and leaving the ship a day before it sailed to its doom at the Battle of Jutland! He was also an M.P. For Portsmouth North (1943-45) and Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey (1953-65) before retiring to the small Scottish seaside village of Elie in Fife, where my parents had also retired to. And as he shared the same birthday as myself, he - in his 80s - would arrive on that day every year with a posy of flowers for me, a teenager at the time! James was also a prolific author publishing books on his wartime experiences and other naval matters, as well as writing “The Order of Release, the story of John Ruskin, Effie Gray and John Everett Millais”, a collection of family letters detailing the romance between his grandparents. This book has been the inspiration for at least 2 plays! (See also the entries for July 28 & 17 August Highlights & pp. 309-312 in my 'Those in Peril' F.H. book).
15 August 1096 – 12 August 1099: Dates of the First Crusade in the Levant and Anatolia. The Crusaders successfully capture Jerusalem. The brothers, William and Jean de Preaux, became standard bearers during this crusade and William lost his life at the Siege of Jerusalem. Because of his death, their overlord, Richard d' Espeke granted the remaining brothers (Osbert and Michael Probus) the gift of land in Coffinswell (Wille) and Daccombe in Devon in his memory...the first known mention of our family in Devon. (see pp. 51-54, 'Those in Peril')
15 August 1947: India gains Independence from Britain. To my knowledge, my father, A.S. 'Keith' Prowse was the only Prowse from our family to pursue a career as a doctor in India and Burma. He went out to India in 1926 where he set out his tent in the jungles of Assam in northeastern India, and treated the indigenous tribes in that area, eventually persuading the Assam & Burmah Oil Company, for whom he was medical officer, to build a hospital for them. My parents left India three years after that country gained its independence, returning to the U.K., in 1950. Five generations of my mother's family - the Grants – were born in India, schooled in Britain and returned to India to build the railroads, set up the British Law Courts in Madras, and as physicians to tea plantations in Assam and nursing home owners in Ootacamund ('Ooty') in the Nilgiri Hills of South India.
16 August 1977: Death of Elvis Presley, age 42. He had a short-lived affair with Juliet Prowse (1937-1996) during the filming of 'G.I. Blues” in 1960. Born in Bombay, India, Juliet's family moved to Johannesburg, South Africa after her father's death when she was 3 y.o. Her father, Reginald Morley Prowse (1906-1940) was born in Newton Abbot, Devon. Her brother, Clive Prowse, worked as a dentist in Johannesburg. Juliet came to the USA in 1959, where she appeared in the Frank Sinatra Show; they became engaged in 1962, but she left him to concentrate on her career. She was married twice, first to Eddie Frazer in 1969 and divorced a year later; and secondly to John McCook, in 1972, whom she divorced in 1979. They had a son, Seth,whose birthday was on August 2,1972, and to whom she gave birth “an hour before wedding vows were to be exchanged”, so the wedding was delayed for 5 weeks! (see p. 201 in my 'Prowse Family History Book, 3rd edition & pp 393-402 in my 'First Do No Harm' book)
17 August 1973: Death of Sir William M. James, grandson of the famed British artist, Sir John Millais and nicknamed “Bubbles”. (see August 13 entry here)
18 August 1898: In a thunderstorm on this date “a horse belonging to Mr. R. Prowse of Malborough, was found dead in its stable, having been killed by the lightning during the night. (Source” Devonshire Assoc. Transactions, Vol XXX1 (1899) p. 41 & Vol. 1, Second Series)
18 August 1937: Birth of Robert Redford, American actor, who was a fervent supporter of Prowse Farm in Canton, Massachusetts. This historic farm was given our name after the marriage of Montague William Warren Prowse (1891-1954) to the heiress of that land, Martha Peabody, on September 18, 1923. Montague was the great-nephew of William Prowse of 'Keith Prowse & Co' fame. The farm is historically famous for having had 'The Suffolk Resolves', the basis for the American 'Declaration of Independence', being drawn up in 'The Doty Tavern' on that land (and which Paul Revere then carried on horseback to the First Congressional Congress in Philadelphia). (see pp. 337-348 in my 'First Do No Harm 'book)
19 August 1871: Birth of Orville Wright, who with his brother, Wilbur, “made the 1st powered flight”, but was preceded by an English footman of Sir George Cayley's (who promptly resigned his position upon landing!). George was descended from the Cailly's of Normandy, whose ancestor married Heudeberge de Preaux and took her name, lands and fortune!
20 August 1912: Death of William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army. Jane Girdlestone's grandfather, George Henry Prowse (1906-1969), Vicar of St. John the Evangelist in Colchester, Essex, was a captain in the Salvation Army together with his wife, Ivy Ethel Willis (whose father was the one who was imprisoned with the founder of the Salvation Army 'for preaching on the streets and disturbing the peace'!). (see June 16 F.H. Highlights).Jane organized the very successful Colchester Prowse International Reunion in 1997.
20 August 1940: “RAF invincible in battle for the skies. So far 236 German aircraft downed with loss of just 95 British”. RAF pilot, Harry A.R. 'Keith' Prowse, father of Martin A. Prowse of Brazil and Janice Crawley of Miami Florida, USA, was flying with 266 Squadron at this time during the Battle of Britain, before moving to 603 Squadron at Hornchurch in October of 1940. (see pp.313-328, 'Those in Peril')
August 21-22 1918: CPO George Prowse earned a Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) - awarded posthumously - “for action at Longeast Wood, France. “Prowse's men came under intense machine gun fire as his battalion advanced. Prowse led the charge that stopped the gun and killed the men firing it. He then fought off repeated counter attacks. He led his men with great gallantry against a machine gun and in spite of difficulties of heavy mist, he captured it, disposing off the crew”. He was later awarded the Victoria Cross.(see August 29 entry)
25 August 1810: HMS Sirius (William Prowse's ship at Trafalgar) was grounded on a coral shoal during the naval battle of Grand Port Mauritius and had to be sacrificed by setting her on fire (see p.155 ,'Those in Peril')
29 August 1886: Birth of CPO George Prowse, (1886-1918) VC, DCM, at Gilfach Goch, Llantrisant, Wales. Recipient of the Victoria Cross 'for most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty....he led (his men) with great coolness and bravery against a strong enemy point, capturing it.....on another occasion he displayed great heroism by attacking single-handed an ammunition limber....killing three men and capturing the limber......Two days later, with complete disregard of personal danger he rushed forward with a small party and attacked and captured two machine gun posts, killing 6 enemy and taking 13 prisoners. He was the only survivor of the gallant party, but by this daring and heroic action he enabled the battalion to push forward. Throughout the whole operation his magnificent example and leadership were an inspiration to all, and his courage was superb.” George Prowse was killed in action before either of his decorations was announced. His wife, Sarah, received his V.C. From King George V in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on July 17, 1919. It was the last V.C. to be awarded with a blue ribbon to signify naval service (Drake Battalion, R.N. Div.). His name is inscribed on Panels 1 & 2 in the British Cemetery of the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in Harcourt, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. His remains were never found and he has no known grave. (see pp. 269-308 in my 'Those in Peril' book)
30 August, 1480: Death of John Orchard, of West Challacombe Farm in Combe Martin, and father of Jone who married John Prowse (d. 1526) of Withecombe & Chagford. Most current day family members can be traced back to this prolific couple and their many offspring! (pp.71-74 in my original Prowse FH Book, 3rd edit)
AND ALSO REMEMBERING - THE PROWSE/PROUSE WAR DEAD:
Prowse, Arthur Samuel - 5th Bn. Dorsetshire Regiment – Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey. Private # 10857. Died 19 August, 1915, age 22. Son of John & Sarah Prowse of New Cemetery Lodge, Chickerel Rd., Weymouth. (Panel 135 to 139).
Prowse, Ernest - 14th Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment – Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Private# 20872, Army, British. Died 21 August, 1917. (Pier and Face 5A and 5B).
Prowse, F.W. - H.Q. 153rd Bde. Royal Field Artillery - Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Ieper West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Rank: Saddler# 5006, Army. British. Died 18th August, 1917. (V111 E. 13).ge 19. Son of Mr. & Mrs. Prowse of 68 Lower Park Rd., Peckham, London. (Pier & Face 5C & 12C)
Prowse, G - 7th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps – Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France. Serjeant. # A/224 Army. British. Died of wounds 13 August 1915, age 44. Husband of Esther Prowse of Ramsay House, Church Path, Acton, Lancs. (1V. B. 4)
Prowse, Henry James – D Bty. 70th Bde. Royal Field Artillery – Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No. 3, Ieper West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Gunner# 841091. Army. British. Died 17 August 1917. Husband of R.K. Prowse of 13 Parliament St., Bath Rd., Bristol. (11.J.4.)
Prowse, W. - 4th Bn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment) – Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, Somme, France. Private# 13950. Army. British. Died 18 August 1916. (11. J. 8)
Prowse, Walter Henry - 2nd Bn. Hampshire Regiment – Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey. Private# 16071. Army. British. (Soldier Lost at Sea) 13 August 1915, age 24. Son of Mrs. M. Prowse of 9 Princes St., Paignton, Devon. (Panel 125 to 134 or 223 to 226 and 328).
Prowse, Alexander - 13th (2/4th Bn. The South Lancashire Regt.) Bn. Parachute Regiment A.A.C. - Putot-En-Auge Churchyard, Calvados, France. Private# 3769046. Died 19 August 1944, age 31. Son of Reginald & Florence Prowse of Fulham, London. (Row C Grave 16).
Prowse, William Alfred -2nd Bn. Hampshire Regiment – Montecchio War Cemetery, Italy. Private# 6482182. Army. British. Died 31 August 1944, age 21. (1V. G. 9)
Prowse, William Frederick – S.S. Anglo Saxon (London) – Tower Hill Memorial, London, England. Ordinary Seaman, Merchant Navy. Died August 21, 1940, age 18. Son of Frederick W. & A.D. Prowse, of Newport, Monmouthshire. His brother Ivor James also fell. (Panel 8)
Prowse, F.P. - A.I.F. - Rockwood Necropolis, Sydney, Australia. Private# 9892 Army, Australian. Died 5 August 1929.
MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY - BIRTHDAYS IN JULY
4 Aug 1950: Roger Prowse (1927-2003)& Mary Shaw (1925-2011) were married. They were to become the guiding light for Prowse family members worldwide with the International Reunions they organized and for their publication of the Prowse Family History Newsletter.
6 Aug: James Prowse, oldest son of Chris Prowse & Jane Davies and grandson of Roger & Mary Prowse
6 Aug: Andrew Prowse, son of Laurie & Jo Prowse, married Nicola Woods: also a grandson of R&M.
6 Aug: Nancy Pickup, youngest dau. of Barbara Prowse & Jonathan Pickup, married Nick Williams. Nancy is a granddaughter of Roger & Mary Prowse
10 Aug: Ben Prowse, 2nd son of Chris Prowse & Jane Davies...........and a grandson of Roger & Mary Prowse.
15 Aug, 1730: Marriage of Philadelphia Way to Amos Prowse of South Petherton.
21 Aug: Birth of Richard Causton, oldest son of Alison Prowse & John Causton and husband of Clare. Richard sadly died in 2018. Richard & Clare married on August 7, 1981.
28 Aug 1831: Birth of Lucy Ware Hayes, wife of U.S. President Rutherford B.Hayes
29 Aug: Alice Rosemary Pickup, oldest daughter of Barbara Prowse & Jonathan Pickup...and a granddaughter of Roger & Mary Prowse.
30 Aug: Michael Prowse, 2nd son of Laurie & Jo Prowse, married Carla Robinson....and a grandson of Roger & Mary Prowse.
31 Aug: Wedding anniversary of Lindsay & Nick Haldane-Unwin. Lindsay is the daughter of Dr. Hilary Prowse & Brian Newton (1927-1991).
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