Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

1906

Peter Levene, Chairman of Lloyd’s of London at Mihaylo Hall, 2^nd Dec 2010.

Now yesterday, we flew down from San Francisco. San Francisco has a very special place in Lloyd’s history. Four years ago, I was in San Francisco for the events to mark the centenary of the 1906 earthquake. We sponsored the dinner which they held there, and I spoke at that dinner. Now, why was it so special for Lloyd’s?

Well the reason was because in 1906, Lloyd’s business in the United States was just starting to get off the ground. And when the earthquake happened, Lloyd’s had a local agent in San Francisco who saw the destruction, the fire, the mayhem that was going on. And he didn’t know what to do. Most of the insurers were literally, quite physically, running for the hills.

He sent a cable back to London, to his boss — a man who is a Lloyd’s legend, a man called Cuthbert Heath — and he explained what was happening. He said, “What do I do?”

He got back an answer which was 13 words, and this is very much the basis of Lloyd’s business in this country, and it’s retained in our archives. The reply was very simple: “Pay all of our policyholders all of their claims, irrespective of the terms of their policy.”

Now today, I’m sure that we would go along with the first part of that cable, paying all of policyholders all of their claims. ‘Irrespective of the terms of their policy,’ I’m not so sure about. But he did it, and it proved to be the most fantastic investment. Because that ensured that Lloyd’s name, as a very reliable provider of insurance, became legend in the United States.

And for us, if you think about it — this rather bizarre institution which isn’t even a company and which is the only insurance market in the world to have $12.5 billion market every year in the United States — is pretty unusual, and a lot of the credit for that goes to what Cuthbert Heath did in that one event just over 100 years ago in San Francisco.

…

In the same year, a fire in Baltimore caused losses of $90 million, and as I said, the San Francisco earthquake devastated the city, resulting in claims from Lloyd’s alone at that time of $50 million, which in 1906 was a very great deal of money.

Naval cadets, may be on board HMS Powerful, 1906 - 

Front row left to right,

L.E. Ottley, W.S.Gilchrist, L.H.Pelly, E.L.King-Hall, W.Park (killed flying 1912), R.C.Ryan, E.A.Hill

Second row, left to right

 P.G.Turner, G.F. Loftus-Jones, R.Studd, - , F. Blomfield, C. Gardner

Third row, left to right

 H.F.Minchin, G.K.Twiss, T. Lundholm, C.F.Bush, J.Schofield, A.W.Blacker (killed Dardenelles)

Fourth row, left to right

 H.F. Clarke, E.N.Syfret, O.H. Storpe (Storer?) (killed Vanguard), S.D.Grey, J.C. Cowan (killed Jutland)

Fifth row, left to right

 L.F.Richardson (drowned in submarine), C.H.Heath, A.B.Chamberlain (killed Zeebrugge), A.K. Gibson, J.E. Millais (died) 

Naval Cadets from HMS Powerful under canvas at Flemington, Austalia - 1906

Cuthbert Heath, second from right in back in white shirt.

HMS Powerful in dock in Sydney 1906

Staffordshire Sentinel

Saturday 9 June 1906

Talke.

Shepherds' Anniversary - Favoured with ideal weather, the members of the Shepherds on the HIll Lodge, (No. 928), and Pride of Talke Female Lodge (No.2,392) celebrated their anniversary on Monday. A procession was formed at the lodge room (Talke Girls' School) early in the morning, and headed by the beautiful banners of the Order the procession wended its way to the Talke Parish Church (St.Martins) where a short service was held conducted by the Rev. Harold Smith (curate) who gave an interesting address. 

The procession afterwards paraded the principal streets of the village and surrounding localities accompanied by the Rode Hall Brass Band who played stirring selections along the route. 

Late in the day a visit was paid to Linley Hall where a substantial repast had been provided by the Misses Marsh-Caldwell which was served out to the members on the lawn. Adresses were afterwards given by a number of the officers, and the Misses Marsh-Caldwell were heartily thanked for their liberal and beneficial support. 

Before leaving the hall the Misses Marsh-Caldwell gave their annual donation of £3. After further parading of the village the procession returned to the lodge room where a substantial tea was provided, a large number being present. After tea the members adjourned to the Talke Maypole field where the May Queen was being crowned.

Staffordshire Sentinel

Saturday 22 December 1906

Sale of Work at Talke.

For some time past the interior of St.Saviour's Church, Talke, has been in need of renovation, and the churchwardens and officials have decided to have this carried out at an estimated cost of £100. For the purpose of raising funds towards this object the annual sale of work, Christmas-tree, tea party, and social evening, promoted by the members of the church, took place on Thursday in St.Saviour's School, Talke, and was probably one of the most successful of its kind held in recent years.  - - -

Miss Wood was introduced by the Rev. J.H.L. Edwards B.A., (rector), and was supported by the Misses Marsh-Caldwell of Linley Hall, and Mrs J.H.L. Edwards.  - - - --

A substantial repast was afterwards provided, and there was a large attendance, including the Misses Poole of Alsager.  - - - -