Skegness Magazine

RETURNED AFTER 52 YEARS

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FIFTY-TWO years ago, Skegness lifeboat signalman, Mr. Henry Marshall, found that his watch, presented to him for 40 years’ service, was missing. That was in 1913 —but the watch has now been traced by the police, and returned to his grand-daughter, Mrs. D. M. Peet, of Burgh Road, Skegness.

Mr. Marshall died later in 1913, and his watch was more or less forgotten. Mrs. Peet says that she can remember her mother mentioning it occasionally, but no one ever expected the watch to return.
Only clue to the watch’s owner lies on the back, where an inscription cut into the silver says: “Presented to Henry Marshall, by Mrs. Martin Simpson, on his retirement as lifeboat signalman after 45 years’ service. Skegness, March 19, 1909.”
Mrs. Peet explained the chain of circumstances that led to the recovery of the watch.”
VAN STOLEN
She said: “A van was stolen on the day of the Louth-Skegness walk, and found abandoned in Skegness. The owner of the van disclaims any ownership of the watch,” she explained. ” There were one or two other items in the car which the thief had also left. I suppose the police thought that the owner of the watch would lead them to the van’s thief.”
The police first took the watch to Mrs. Lucy Marshall, who lives opposite Mr. and Mrs. Peet, and is connected with Skegness lifeboat. She referred the police to Mrs. Peet, and after an absence After 52 years, the watch was home at last.
“It is fantastic coincidence that this watch should be found after all this time,” Mrs. Peet said. ” What I should really like to know, though, is where on earth it has been during this time!”
Mrs. Peet added that the police told her they believed the watch had been in Skegness during the period it has been missing, for it had been repaired five times by three Skegness jewellers. The timepiece is still in excellent working order, and is complete with a modern leather case.

Source: Skegness Standard 1965

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