PERSONAL TRAINER
&
John Honey - My own Great, Great, Great Grandfather 1781-1814
In 1800 John Honey from Inchture in Perthshire was a Divinity Student at St Andrews University, following in the footsteps of 5 generations of John Honey's before him.
One Sunday morning on the 5th of January 1800, as normal he was attending Church with many other students and one of his professors Thomas Chalmers.
Out in the East Bay of St Andrews a Sloop, The Janet from McDuff in the Highlands was in trouble due to a storm raging in the East Sands of St Andrews Bay. She had become stuck on a sand bank and was being buffeted on all sides by the storm and waves crashing around her. There were a number of people on shore to witness this and word was sent to the Chapel to see what could be done.
It was to stormy to send out another boat to effect a rescue and the 5 crew aboard the Janet were in immediate danger as a number of rescue attempts had already failed.
East Sands, St. Andrews (calm day in June)
Along with many others present John Honey interrupted his devotions to head for the beach to see what could be done. On arrival and without much of a second thought and encouraged somewhat by one of his professors, John tied a rope about his own waist and with a small knife between his teeth plunged into the icy cold January waters of the North Sea watched by other incredulous onlookers.
Many both students and teachers believed he would perish alongside those on the Janet.
Some way out to the Sloop John discovered that the rope providing him safety was not long enough to reach the Janet. Using the knife he cut it and continued on his way to the boat. On arrival he found 5 terrified crew including a young boy of around 12 years old.
John found a longer and better rope aboard the ship but instead of titying this around himself he sought this time to create a rope for the men to follow by carrying this back to land with the first man, and thus to assist each man back along this line.
John Honey (Aged 19)
Having secured the line to the shore and rescued the first man John made 3 further trips to rescue the others. Each time he found a man to weary to use the guide rope and had to carry them himself. Having thus far rescued 4 men John made one final trip for the young boy.
On arrival at the ship John found the boy clinging to the boat to scared to jump into the icy water. He persisted but while waiting the ships mast collapsed and fell on him injuring his chest and back. Following this brutal incident however the youngster eventually jumped to the water where John was able to swim him back to shore as he had with the others. On arrival at the shore John collapsed from complete exhaustion. Many present believed he was dead but he eventually recovered.
Artists Impression of John Honey preparing for the rescue in 1800
For his endeavours John was presented with a Solid Silver Cup now known as the Honey Cup. This was held by my family in a bank until the early 1980's when amid much fanfare it was presented back to St Andrews University where it is now displayed in the Wardlaw Museum for all to enjoy. John was also given the Freedoms of St Andrews, Perth, Forfar and Auchtermuchty (which as direct male descendant I now have the pleasure of holding).
Johns endeavours are also immortalised in a stained glass commemorative window in St Salvators Chapel next to windows commemorating the fallen of WW1 and Patrick Hamilton. The first computer building built at St Andrews University in 1974 also holds his name. My Grandfather proudly unveiled a commemorative plaque and I recently had the pleasure of being photographed with it as well.
John Honey Cup
St Andrews Computer building Plaque
John Honey (Ayrens Grandfather)
John went on to later marry the daughter of one of his professors daughters Ann Adamson (married 1809). (I also hold the Adamson name as a middle name). John and Ann had 3 children during their marriage John, James and George. He sadly passed away at the age of 32. His funeral was held by Thomas Chalmers who is immortalised on George Street in Edinburgh and who also paid for the education of John junior (aged 12) after his death. John junior also later attended St Andrews University.
At Johns funeral in Bendochy near Blairgowrie where he had served as minister following his studies the windows had to be removed from the church so that everyone who turned up could hear the service. Word of Johns feats spread throughout Scotland and has never been forgotten either then or now.
John Honey Signature from St Andrews University matriculation
Ayren with plaque 2024
Stained glass window - St Salvators Church, St Andrews
In 2002 St Andrews University Student Association established the John Honey Award. The Award is one of the most prestigious awards given by the Students' Association.
Students also commemorate his life every year with a torchlit procession down the Pier, known as the Gaudie, held April 30th each year.
The John Honey Award is given to one student every year who makes an outstanding and exceptional contribution to student wellbeing during their time at St Andrews. Whilst this does not have to necessarily mean saving someone's life, the award will only be given out to a student who makes an extraordinary contribution to student wellbeing.
Anyone can nominate a matriculated student for the John Honey Award. The winner of the award will be decided by the Student Excellence Awards Panel, and announced at the Student Excellence Awards.
Gaudie Walk, St Andrews in memorial of John Honey
If my Great Great Great Grandfather was able to achieve this feat on a cold January day in the North Sea at the age of 19, then we in our privileged lives as they are today can achieve anything we wish to. I am proud that John is my ancestor and whilst I don't intend to jump into cold water his story inspires me to do the best I can for myself an others