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Harold Taylor continues his memoirs:-
On station this next month I was on with George Floyd who was K.I.C. when the P.K. ashore, and I feel that round about this time also Hughie got a transfer to South Stack. anyhow the month went smoothly. Because Arthur was transferring he was trying to find, without success someone to take on Union Correspondent. In the end I agreed to take it on.
He had got me to rejoin, since I had joined up at Hartland my subscriptions had lapsed. With the end of the month and the P.K.s going Eddie Roberts acted as Occasional Keeper. As he was running a small farm he would only stay on station while he was on duty, and we would let him away whenever it was not really necessary for him to be there.
He slept on station just sufficient for performing his duties but otherwise left early and arrived late. He would also bring his milk with him and leave whatever was not used, so really we had a surfeit. We also helped in the island life. For instance, when we knew Will was going over with the boat, we would keep a look out for him heading for the beach and go and help launch it.
Similarly, when he was anticipated back we would also keep a look out for his family who would be watching from a headland, who when he was in sight would head for the beach. This way we received our mail directly from him and any groceries that had been ordered. We helped haul the boat out of the reach of water. On a stormy situation we would also be on hand to haul any boats up. The farmer carried on the life of a fisherman as well as general farming.
I led a full life here, being keen on birds, those with or without feathers, I used to spend a lot of time at the observatory. Some of this used to be a bit tedious, but I met people and sometimes I was fed as well. I would also visit the Pole, in fact he purchased a self construction kit to build a radio, but he neither had the tools or the ability to do so. I found it a bit tricky too.
I was able to identify the parts which was a help, but when it came to a soldering iron to do all the joining we were in a but of a fix until I found a 4' long copper nail from which I was able to construct the required implement. My only heat source was his Calor Gas stove, which was quite a waste, but it warmed the unheated house up whilst I was working. So after numerous afternoon visits during my 'days off' eventually the task was completed.
I was unable to get the thing tuned in, during the process I blew one of the valves, but Will took the set ashore and got both jobs done for 30/- I think the original kit had cost £5.
The observatory that year closed down late, well into October, or perhaps the beginning of November. I recall that on the last morning before Reg went ashore I had been on watch and there had been a few birds at the light. I only caught one, it was a Snow Bunting, and so as soon as it was light and the light had been extinguished I went up to Reg, which was about a mile and a half.
He was pleased to receive the bird, but spent most of his time proving it was not a Snow Finch. However it stands as a 'first' for the island. Earlier that year there had been a vagrant from America, for which I presume argument still goes on. It was a first for Britain. A Summer Tannager, but despite photographs, etc, someone raised doubts, and probably it still has not been accepted.
Arthur went ashore just before Xmas and I noticed that Will gave him a goose bred on the island for his Yule Tide dinner. He also took him over to the mainland in his boat which would get him home that day, instead of at least the following day by the relief ship. Arthur had gone the same way the previous time I had been there. Xmas or just after turned out to be a funny do.
I had taken off a beer kit and brewed it, I think it was my first attempt and turned out quite well if a bit cloudy. George and I enjoyed it. The farm provided us with a Goose. I think it was Boxing Day that George paid a visit to Bert and came back a bit alarmed. He told me the story that Bert met him with make up on, but I doubt it. From his gait across the field when he left the lighthouse, George might have been the worst for drink, because I have no way of knowing what he had stored in his room apart from the consumption of my beer.
Following this there was a series of events concerning Bert and the islanders, which got written up in the local and national news papers. Few of these did I see, but it was all brought back to me several years later by an article in a national magazine.
At this point I think I should relate the circumstances, but only as far as they differ from the written up versions. Which were in a national magazine, and from a novel written by an author who was resident on the island at the time and included in her story 'Tiderace', which was substantially her autobiography condensed.
On the 5th Jan, 1959, Jane, Eddie's wife arrived at the lighthouse in some distress, and I was roused from sleep. As a result I went up the island and at the same time took Jane. to her mother's house. I then went on to Plas Bach which was where Bert lived. I cautiously entered the building and searched room to room until I reached the top of the house, where I found a barricaded door.
I forced the door which had been propped shut with a stout walking stick and found Bert cowering and gibbering in the corner. The room was in uproar, practically everything smashed and signs that there had been a fire. I coaxed Bert out and persuaded him to talk to me, from which I gathered he thought he was possessed of the Devil. I learned that he was out of food and had only been surviving on boiling up cabbage stalks. Having soothed him down I persuaded him that it would be best if he could go ashore and see a doctor.
When I left I think I bumped into Brenda, anyhow, I went along to Brenda's place, Carreg Bach, which was also on the way to Jane's house, perhaps they were going home together for safety. Having related my findings Brenda made a bowl of soup for me to take to Bert, which I did with the strict instructions that he was not to return the bowl himself, but that I would come and collect it.
I left him and went to Ty Pella, Nellie's home and had a word with her and told her of the situation. Will and Ernest had gone to the mainland that morning in the Benlli, their boat. When I left Nellie I went back to the lighthouse, and on the way as I passed the Cafn, I saw that Tom (Nant) had arrived; the name of the farm he was tenant of, bringing with him two visitors, who were no strangers to me. They were Robin Pratt and Fenella? Cowdy on their way to stay with Brenda, although she did not know they were coming.
I asked him what time he was going back as I wanted to write a letter to Mrs Armstrong, to tell her about Bert.
When I got back to the lighthouse, we sent Eddie home, I wrote my letter and returned to the Cafn and placed it where Tom would find it. During the afternoon George and I were on the lawn outside the house, and one of us was cutting the others hair, when Bert arrived. He asked George to cut his hair and shave him as he had decided to take my advice and go ashore and see a doctor.
He was covered in matted hair and beard rather like the original caveman, so by the time George had finished, he was hardly recognisable. I think this is what upset the women later. We gave him some food and he left with a supply of flour and sugar.
I expect there was other things because he was going to make some cakes, but I do not recall what else we gave him. At test time that afternoon George made contact with the depot to see if they would take Bert off on the relief which was due the next day.
I do not know what time Will got back, but his usual time was about 1600, neither can I recall going down to help with the boat, but I expect we did. In the early evening I went to Will's house to tell him that the ship had agreed to pick up Bert on the relief.
Whilst I was there Bert burst in and demanded that we protect him from the Devil, and wanted the fire put out because the Devil was up the chimney. They were all pretty shaken. More especially because he would continually prostrate himself on the floor, head toward the fire with arms widespread crying 'Mea Culpa' three or four times, and he also tried to snatch a poker.
I persuaded Bert to leave with me and I escorted him back to his place. The night was heavy with drizzle and very dark. The Fog signal at the lighthouse was sounding and only a pin prick of light could be seen. It was a very eerie walk to Plas Bach and Bert was so in terror that he demanded that we sing hymns. Having got him to his place I collected the bowl to return to Brenda, telling him to stay where he was until I got back.
Whilst I was at Brenda's with the other two young people, we heard a noise outside, which they later described as being like bull bellowing, whereupon Bert crashed through the door demanding a gun to kill the Devil. He prostrated himself upon the floor as at Will's, and as he rose grabbed a poker to strike the Devil which was up the chimney. I took the weapon away from him and decided that the only place he would be safe was back at the lighthouse. We left the premises with the fright stricken group clutching each other.
Again we had to go through the performance of singing hymns as we stumbled along the uneven cart track till we reached his abode, which he would not go beyond. I told him I would not leave him up the island as he was frightening everyone there. He finally acceded to accompany me, if I would go with him to the house and collect the priest's robes so that the devil would not get them.
We entered the house and he showed me where the robes were and started packing them in a suitcase to take with us. I said that we could not do this as the night was so wet that they would get damaged. It would be best if I locked them in the cupboard and took the key away with us. He agreed to this and we made our way to the lighthouse.
I realised that I had taken a step which Trinity would not approve, but could see no other course for the safety of the islanders. By the time I got back it was nearly time for Eddie to come on watch again. Which was just as well because things were getting a little difficult. Bert objected to any light whatsoever and was trying to knock over the paraffin lights so as to extinguish them.
It meant either holding him all the time or being vigilant for every move he should make towards putting any light out. When Eddie came on watch we sent him away immediately to collect Robin to help observe Bert. He returned with Will as well.
Continued in part 3
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