Princess Marie Louise Lifeboat Presentation

By Angela Gooch on December 31st, 2009

Lifeboatmen Honoured by Royalty.

Presentation of New Jerseys.
Launch of the Lifeboat.
Princess Marie Louise present.
Despite the inclement weather, a large number of people assembled, on Saturday morning, in the Lifeboat House, on the Parade, Skegness, when Her Highness Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein, graciously presented the Lifeboat crew with new jerseys, the gift of Mrs. A. G. Weigall.
On the arrival of Her Highness, who was accompanied by Miss Hawker, Lady-in-Waiting, and Capt. Weigall M.P.,at the boathouse, rockets were fired in honour of her visit.

The Princess was received by Mr. C. F. Grantham, hon. secretary of the local branch of the R.N.L.I., and who conducted Her Highness to the platform.

Mrs. Martin-Simpson occupied a seat on the structure.

The proceedings were very brief.
Her Highness, assisted by Mr. Grantham smilingly handed each member of the crew their jerseys, after which the hon. secretary made a short speech.
The recipients of the gifts of Mrs. Weigall advanced in the following order: —

Matt Grunnill, (Coxswain) Monty Grunnill, Willie Grunnill, Sidney Grunnill, Hira Grunnill, Frank Moody, Acton Cumming, Albert Grunnill, Charier Grunnill, Samuel Grunnill, Harry West, William West, Francis Grunnill, Harry Rose, and Charles Rose.
At the conclusion of the presentations, Mr. C. F. Grantham, said : May it please your Highness to accept the grateful thanks of the Coxswain, andthe members of the Crew, for kindly performing this ceremony. I wish to assure you how deeply we are honoured at your presence here today and we all regret the absence of Mrs. Weigall, the kind donor of these jerseys, and I beg to ask Capt. Weigall, who is here, to convey to Mrs Weigall our deep gratitude for the kind and generous gifts. I am sure that when the cold winds blow the wearers will have a thought for Mrs. Weigall. (Applause).
Her Highness smilingly bowed her acknowledgements.
The party then proceeded to the Pier, from where they witnessed the launch of the Lifeboat. The sea was running high, and a large crowd of people watched the exciting scene of getting the boat off.

Picture: Princess Marie Louise speaking at Skegness, 29th September, 1911.