Lifesaving is a family tradition

ANOTHER lifeboat man model has emerged on the isle – this time from a family of lifeguards.

Last month we asked readers to help solve the mystery behind Birchington parish councillor Iris Bedwell’s tiny model which has been in her family for more than 50 years.

It was thought that it might be linked to Margate’s most distinctive landmark at the Nayland Rock, which commemorates the nine crew members of the Friend Of All Nations surfboat, launched from Margate, which went down on Thursday, December 2, 1897.

Controversy surrounded the funding of the statue which stands by the Nayland Rock Hotel which, together with another memorial in Margate cemetery, swallowed most of the funds raised to support the families of the victims. Even Queen Victoria had donated £35 to the cause.

But readers pointed out that the lifeboatman’s clothing differed from the landmark.

Now, retired Broadstairs printer John Parker, 74, has come forward with his miniature statue, which he believes was one of the models produced after the tragedy.

Family heirloom

The grandfather-of-two’s statue stands six inches tall and originally belonged to his grandfather, Edward Parker.

John says: “When he died in 1964, my father, also Edward, gave it to me.

“I was told they were cast to sell to raise money for the widows and orphans.”

Parker men were virtually born with sea legs; becoming a lifeboat man was a family tradition and most of the men worked on the sea.

John’s grandfather, known as ‘Duke’ Parker, was coxswain on the Margate lifeboat between 1926 and 1946, and took it to Dunkerque.

“Five men from the family sailed out including my grandfather’s brother Harry, who was bowman, his son Edward, who was home on leave from the Merchant Navy and my father.

“I remember my father phoning my mother and saying that he was going away for a few days.

“Coincidentally among the Royal Navy personnel he rescued was his own brother, Jim, whose life he saved.”

John’s dad Edward served on the Customs and Excise’s contraband watch, searching boats in the English channel. The cargo of those not registered with the Royal Navy was seized as articles of war and given to the war effort.

Lasting memories

Foul weather and fair, the heroic lifeboat men of Margate never hesitated in their brave response to those in peril on the sea and for John it left lasting memories.

“I can remember as a boy, typically, the rain would be lashing down when there was a call for the lifeboatmen.”

In October 1942, Margate welcomed the BBC Home Service, which broadcast the launching of the Lord Southborough lifeboat with skipper Edward ‘Ted’ Parker.

It was later broadcast in the Overseas Service’s Behind the Battle Front programme.