A BLUE plaque commemorating the heroic actions of a woman who saved children’s lives after a disaster and was awarded by Queen Victoria herself has been unveiled in St Helens.

Local councillors joined the family members of Hannah Rosbotham last week to see a blue plaque unveiled in her honour outside Sutton Family Hub and learned the story of her bravery.

Hannah from Sutton was only 23 when she was an assistant school mistress at Sutton National school – close to the current site of Sutton Oak CE Primary – when in 1881 she saved the lives of many children when a 'gale of terrific fury' dislodged the school belfry - sending stones, a large metal bell, and heavy debris down into one of the school's classrooms.

Hannah on recieving her medal which was published in The GazetteHannah on recieving her medal which was published in The Gazette (Image: Hannah on recieving her medal which was published in The Gazette)

News of her efforts eventually travelled from St Helens to London to be featured in National newspapers and coming to the attention of then Queen Victoria.

She was then invited to London to receive the Albert Medal – which is equal to the George’s Cross – and was the first woman to ever receive it.

St Helens’ blue plaques are part of an initiative to honour and acknowledge the individuals, places and events that have contributed to the unique heritage of the borough.

(Image: The plaque unveiling)

Her relatives were amongst this in the crowd to see the plaque unveiled.

Michael Rosbotham, who lives in Billinge and Paul Rosbotham who lives in Tarleton said: “We are really proud to be related to Hannah and only learned of her story a few years ago when people in the family started looking at family trees and uncovered it.

“We only learned today though about the Albert Cross being equivalent to the George’s Cross and that Queen Victoria herself presented it to her.

The plaque The plaque (Image: The plaque)

“To think she was just 23 – and at that time as well – to run into a building and save children, it just makes you proud to be related to someone like that.”

Hannah did not go on to have her own children, but eventually took over as headmistress of the school.

Also praising Hannah on the day was Mayor of St Helens Jeanette Banks, Deputy leader of the council Seve Gomez-Aspron and Cllr Kate Groucutt.