Funeral of Lifeboat Coxswain Thomas Smalley

By Angela Gooch on December 27th, 2009

Funeral of Mr Thomas Smalley

Skegness Herald 1903

We announced in our last issue the death of Mr Thomas Smalley, who was for many years the coxswain of the Skegness lifeboat, and who retired from that position two or three years ago on account of ill-health.

He has of late resided at Partney, near Spilsby, where he died on the 16th November. The funeral took place on Friday afternoon last at Skegness where he was well-known and highly respected.

The corpse was conveyed to Skegness by road, and at the Lion Hotel, which is the head-quarters of the Druids’ Lodge, of which deceased was one of the leading members, the funeral cortege was formed. The lifeboat crew, the Druids, and the chief officer (Mr Boyle) and men of the coastguard preceded the hearse, and several carriages containing the mourners followed.

The remains of the deceased were taken to St Matthew’s Church where the first portion of the burial service was impressively read by the rector, Rev W Disney, and hymns sung by the choir and congregation. There was also a large attendance from the general public.
At the conclusion of this portion of the service the cortege was re-formed and proceeded to St Clement’s churchyard where the mortal remains of the deceased were laid in their last resting place.

When the Rev Disney had concluded the burial service at the grave, Mr Blades, secretary of the Druids Lodge, read in a very solemn manner the Druid’s burial service.
The bearers were members of the lifeboat crew who served under the deceased.