I have been researching Arthur Jacob - trying to find out why Arthur Jacob Nature Reserve was given his name. I haven't yet been able to answer that question but I have found a lot of information about his life in Windsor (Thank you Carolyn)
Taken from: https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/theroyalwindsorforum/arthur-jacobs-of-jacobs-island-t733.html
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Arthur Jacobs (1863 - 1928)
Arthur Jacobs of Jacobs Island
Arthur Jacobs was born in 1863 at the old Anglers Rest, an inn
which stood on the site occupied by the Thames Hotel, built around 1906-1907,
and of which he was to become proprietor for 22 years. Prior to that he was
licensee of the Watermans Arms at Eton. As a boy he attended Eton Porny School
and from his earliest days to the close of his life he was either a swimmer or
took the greatest of interest in it.
At the age of ten years Arthur Jacobs went to Eastbourne to take
part in a high diving competition, an open event in which some of the best
divers in the world took part. He won the contest and this was, perhaps the
beginning of a wonderful career in the swimming world. Even before this, when
he was but eight years old, he assisted in the saving of the lives of two
little girls off the Cobbler. His next exploit was to participate in the saving
of the lives of two boys at Athens, across the river from Windsor Racecourse,
and he also figured in the rescue of a gentleman whose boat had upset.
It was on 7th January 1894, that Arthur Jacobs performed one of
the bravest deeds of his life. He gallantly saved a young woman named Elizabeth
Burridge who fell into the river when the ice across the Thames to the Brocas
gave way. For this act of conspicuous courage, which involved diving under the
ice, risking of his own life, he was the recipient of a testimonial from over
200 townspeople who subscribed to the presentation. The gift, which included a
cheque for over £21, was made on behalf of the inhabitants by the Mayor of the
Borough of Windsor.
On another occasion he saved a Mr Wells and his two daughters when
they fell through the ice, and he rescued two girls when he was just eleven
years old.
Some years ago a Limehouse man, visiting Windsor, had the misfortune
to fall into the river and was in peril of drowning. Arthur Jacobs without
hesitation dived into the water and rescued the man. Subsequently there was a
remarkable demonstration at Limehouse Town Hall, where Arthur Jacobs's bravery
was suitably honoured by a well-earned testimonial.
It is said that if anyone ever got into trouble in the water he
would never rest until he got them ashore, without thought to himself. The list
of his exploits is too numerous to record, but it is thought that during a lifetime
spent by the river he had been instrumental in rescuing over sixty people. He
received three certificates from the Royal Humane Society and also the gold,
silver and bronze medals for deeds of bravery.
Arthur Jacobs came from a family of established carpenters, his
mother Sarah was a daughter of Roger Tolladay, a successful boat builder, who
originated from Lambeth, and ran his own company in Eton, building racing boats
for Eton College.
It is not surprising with that background that Arthur Jacobs began
his passenger boat company. In his capacity as a riverside hotel and boat
proprietor he was one of the most popular and familiar figures on the upper
reaches of the Thames. Arthur Jacobs was never afraid to advance with the times
and the building of the New Windsor Castle, one of the largest and most up to
date of up-river steam launches, was a big venture that he undertook in 1923.
The steamer was constructed using the latest methods on Jacobs Island,
adjoining the promenade. The launching of the vessel created quite a stir in
the town at the time, with children being given the day off school to watch.
The 'New Windsor Castle' was launched stern first from the slipway which was
built facing upstream because the area downstream of the island was used for
mooring and letting small craft. Some years ago, David Pickin rediscovered the
slipway and restored and recommissioned it. It was in use up to the 1960's.
A
view downstream from Jacobs Island showing the rowing boats for hire and the
earlier promenade beyond
An interesting little tale... When Lance Summers, boat builders,
arrived to build the Windsor Castle and the Grand Duchess they asked for
assistance to carry their anvil onto the island. Clifford Davey the captain of
the Empress of India, who was a tremendously strong man, picked up the anvil
and put it on his shoulder and walked across to the island. When the boat
building had finished Cliff was asked to take the anvil back. His comment was
"I carried it over, you take it back!" The anvil was so heavy that
two of us had difficulty lifting it so the anvil was left there and the company
still has it.
A double-fronted boat house was first built on the
banks beside Corporation Island in Victorian times and it is here that the
Windsor Belle was built in 1901 by Edward Burgoine for Arthur Jacobs. Records
show that she was built on Corporation Meadow (Clewer Meadow) which was to
become Alexandra Gardens and Barry Avenue. Subsequently the boat houses were
moved to the island, probably in 1905 when Barry Avenue was constructed.
Circa
1913: The promenade with the rebuilt boathouses beyond on Jacobs Island. In
later photographs the boathouses are seen to be striped.
The
New Windsor Castle
The
New Windsor Castle turns in to Windsor Promenade
The
boathouses on Jacob's Island where she was built are beyond.
The
Windsor Belle in 1901
Other
boats in the Jacobs fleet were the Woodland Lily, The Duchess and The Welbeck
as well as many rowing boats and punts.
In addition to his Thames steamer and boat hire business, Arthur
Jacobs was chairman of the Windsor Conservative Party and for nine years a
member of Windsor Town Council. He died in 1928 at the age of 65. It is fitting
that the former Corporation Island has long been known as Jacobs Island,
probably since the 1920s and the construction of The Windsor Castle. The name
serves to remind us of a famous name from not only Windsor's history but that
of the River Thames also.
