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If you were walking along the seafront of Skegness in 1937, you will probably have seen a Norfolk Vicar sat in a Lion’s cage.
Harold Davidson, Rector of Stiffkey, put on an unusual side-show when he entered the lion’s den at Rye’s Pavilion two or three times a day, pacing around with two bemused-looking beasts.
Davidson felt himself to be the victim of rough justice. He had been de-frocked five years earlier because of his missions in the London area to rescue ‘ladies of the night’.
He was dubbed ‘Prostitute’s Padre’ by the press.
He had failed to impress the church court of his honourable intentions and was found guilty of immoral conduct.
The now ex-rector launched a crusade to prove his innocence. This included publicity stunts like fasting in a barrel on Blackpool’s Golden Mile in 1936 and playing a biblical ‘Daniel’ by pacing around in a lion’s den on Skegness sea front in 1937.
On 28th July 1937, the usually docile Freddie the Lion turned on the vicar and struck him a fatal blow.
The vicar died two days later in Skegness Cottage Hospital.
His dying words were “Telephone the London papers!”

Most readers are probably more or less familiar with the features of Mr. Harold Davidson, M.A., who, as the ex-Rector of Stiffkey, has been in the public eye for a considerable period.
Many, too, have seen him in his role of a modern Daniel in the lion’s den at Capt. F. Rye’s Pavilion on the Sea View Pullover at Skegness.
The novel “turn” has already been witnessed by many hundreds of people of all classes, and the widespread interest aroused may be gauged from fact that last weeka Blackpool Press photographer arrived at the resort to take pictures of Mr Davidson in the lion’s den.
Through the courtesy of Mr. Maurice Saidman, a member of the well-known Saidman Brothers, Press photographers, of Blackpool, we are privileged to reproduce one of the pictures which he secured.

As will be seen the ex-Rector of Stiff key is “armed” only with a walking stick, but despite the somewhat searching look of Leo at the intruder, Mr. Davidson wears a very engaging smile.
It may be mentioned that Mr Maurice Saidman himself accepted Capt Rye’s suggestion that he enter the cage in order to secure a still better picture. He managed to do this all right, but when he was about to leave the cage the lion became restless and Mr Saidman experienced one of those feelings which—well, a feeling which those who have been in a den alone with a lion might be able to describe.
Mr Saidman admitted later that while he has taken pictures from risky positions in aeroplanes and under all sorts of other conditions, that was the first time he had taken one in a lion’s cage. As the photograph turned out all right, however, he felt that he had done his Press photography good deed for the day!

SAD HAPPENING IN LION’S CAGE “FRONT PAGE” WORLD NEWS
INQUEST STORY OF TRAGEDY

Skegness came in for national prominence last week as the Rector of Stiffkey’s ill-fated decision to present an “act” in a lion’s den.

The ex-rector, Mr Harold Francis Davidson, was suddenly attacked by of the two animals and was badly mauled before he could be rescued. The injuries which he received led to his death in Skegness hospital less than two days later.
Thus, through the whirligig of Fate, Skegness secured publicity undreamt of barely a week ago.

COVERED WITH BLOOD

Pc G. Biddle of the Skegness Force, said that while on duty on North Parade when he saw a number of people running from Rye’s Pavilion. On going ther he saw Mr. Davidson lying on the floor of the cage close to the railings near the right hand door. His face and head were covered with blood. The witness Somner was inside the cage and two men were trying to keep cage lion away from the pair. The gate was padlocked.

Wltness went to call a cyclist to procure a doctor and the ambulance and when he returned, the gate was being opened.

The cage measured 14ft by 8ft and the two doors veto each 6ft high by 2ft wide.

Mr Barton said he had someone from the Zoological Gardens present in Court to give evidence if the jury thought necessary but he did not press for this witness being called.
The Coroner said the jury would have to decide whether they desired Mrs. Rye to be called in which event the inquest would have to be adjourned for her attendance.
VERDICT AND RIDER.
The jury intimated they they would retire to consider the matter and were absent for about 15 minute.

On their return the Foreman said they did not require further evidence and that they agreed that decease’s death was due to diabetic coma brought about by shock through the mauling which he had received.
They would like to add a rider to this namely that they considered that an expert should always be present at such performances in future.
Asked if the jury wished to say anything about negligence, the Foreman replied “No, we have no desire to add more”.
The Coroner then returned a verdict of Death by misadventure in accordance with the evidence.

Mr Rye in an interview said that he will definitely remember the relatives of the Rector out of the profits of the show,adding that the youngest daughter had promised him a keepsake of her father.
The lion show was closed from 3 to 4 pm on the day of the funeral.

More about the death of the de-frocked Rector of Stiffkey coming soon!

Ben Locker’s info about the Rector of Stiffkey

MEMORIAL  WINDOW TO THE LATE COLONEL IREMONGER, the First Mayor of Skegness in St Matthew’s Church Skegness

Source: Skegness Herald 21st December 1888

The relatives of the late Colonel Iremonger have just placed a handsome stained-glass window in the east end of the south aisle of St. Matthew’s Church, in memory of the gallant colonel.

There are two “lights” in the window and in the one near the chancel the subject is the scene of the agony in the garden of Gethsemane, our Lord being in a kneeling posture and an angel immediately above presenting a cup to Him. On this part is the inscription “By thy cross and passion good Lord deliver us.”

In the light on the right hand the subject is the crucifixion, with Jerusalem in the background and a centurion kneeling on one side, and also the words “Truly this man was the Son of God.” In these words the centurion is represented as giving his testimony that the crucified was the Son of God.

The variations of tone in the different pieces of glass give a great richness of effect, and the artist has displayed great care in the arrangement of the colours, which are bright and pleasing.

At the foot of the window is a band, running the whole length, on which is inscribed “To the glory of God, in loving memory of Henry Edward Iremonger, Colonel Bengali Staff Corps,born 25th March, 1826, died 21st February, 1888, this window is placed by his widow, sister, and children.

The artist was Mr. W. H. Constable, F.S A., of Cambridge.

We visited St Matthew’s Church in Skegness to track down the memorial window to Iremonger, but unfortunately it is no longer there. In its place is another memorial window which was placed in 1951, just after WWII. Was Iremonger’s memorial damaged during the war? We know that the nearby Scarbrough Avenue Baths suffered bomb damage during a Second World War air raid.

Any further information on this is welcome.

Skegness Herald 1888

Sudden Death of Colonel Iremonger, the first ‘Mayor of Skegness’

Great gloom has been cast over Skegness by the sudden death of Col Iremonger, chairman of the Local Board, which sad event took place about a quarter of an hour after midnight on Monday last. The report which rapidly spread early on Tuesday morning could at first hardly be credited, as the gallant colonel was seen in the town in his usual health as late as the previous afternoon.

It was soon, however, known to be a fact, and his sudden decease has caused poignant sorrow in the hearts of a large number of people’s who knew his worth. His upright conduct, even temperament, and general courtesy, had won the confidence of those with whom he was brought into contact. The deceased gentleman was born on the 25th of March, 1826, and would therefore have been 62 years of age on the 25th proximo.

Col Iremonger came to Skegness in 1882, and took up his residence at “Harewood” close adjacent to St. Matthew’s Church. About twelve months ago he caught a severe cold, from the effects of which he had never since thoroughly recovered, and times was very unwell, though the indisposition was not of so severe a nature as to confine him to his bed, or even to his room. He had enjoyed tolerably good health during the past few weeks he presided at the monthly meeting of the Local Board on Tuesday week, and attended divine service at St. Matthew’s Church on Sunday morning last with Mrs. Iremonger, notwithstandmg the very inclement weather, and was in the town as late as four o’clock on Monday afternoon.

He retired to rest about eleven o’clock on Monday night, and shortly before twelve - about an hour later - he experienced great difficulty in breathing. With a view to mitigating the pain he was then in, he got up and lay on the sofa near the fire. This, however, did not have the desired effect. He rapidly got worse, and expired about a quarter of an hour after midnight, before Mrs. Iremonger had time to secure medical assistance or even to call up the servants after seeing the dangerous condition her husband was in.

Mrs. Iremonger was alone in the room when the deceased breathed his last. These must have been crying moments for the stoutest heart, but when are added to this the dismal hour of midnight, darkness and gloom without, and the wind howl-
ing as it was on that melancholy night, the feeling of that estimable lady on such an occasion can better be imagined than described.

The servants responded to their mistress’s call as quickly is possible, but all was over before they came. Dr. Bernard was immediately sent for, and on his arrival he pronounced life extinct. The cause of death was heart disease, and, we understand, that an intimation was given to the famity by Dr. Walls, of Burgh, about twelve
months ago of the probability of his death taking place suddenly.

The form has vanished from us for ever, but the substance, never.

The deceased was a genuine lover of his adopted town, and at all times did what in him lay to serve her best interests.

Colonel Ironmonger has held several important offlices since he has been in our midst. He was for some few years guardian of the poor for this parish and attended the meetings of the guardians at Spilsby regularly.

First Mayor of Skegness

On the formation of the Local Board at Skegness, about two years and half ago, he was, unsolicited, elected a member of the Board, and at its first meeting unanimously elected Chairman of that body. In this capacity he performed the duties attaching to his office so well that he was re-elected to the same in April last year.

At the time of his deach he was Chairman of the Board, and would in all probability have been again re-elected to the office in April next. By the great attention he paid to the business of the Board and the affairs of the town he gained golden opinions respecting the business-like manner with which he acted on all occasions.

His decease has caused a vacancy on the Board which it will not be easy to fill. Though a strong conservative he discarded all party feeling at the Board meetings and acted in the most impartial manner. He was consequently beloved and respected by all parties alike; in fact, he was so highly respected that the members of the Board gave him a complimentary dinner at Hildred’s Hotel, on the 10th January last. His last duties in connection with the Board were the signing, only on Monday afternoon last, official documents respecting the forthcoming election of members of the Board.

 He was also Chairman of the Skegness and District Conservative Association, and has, we believe, held that position since its formation in 1882; he was Chairman of the Club and Reading Room Committee, and took great interest in the welfare of that institution. Nor was this all. He was an honorary member of the Oddfellows’ Society, a great supporter of the Church, and has aided materially the Church Building Fund. Although Col Iremonger was not a gentleman who ostentatiously paraded his benevolence before the public, yet his charitable disposition was such that in him the poor of the parish will lose a valued friend. He was always mindful of them at about Christmas time, and his loss in Skegness will be generally felt.

Before coming to this town he resided at Reading and was for some years a member of the Town Council there, and also secretary for the Penitents’ Home, in which he took a great interest.

The deceased gentleman has left a widow and three surviving sons and one daughter. Three or four others died when young. The eldest son is vicar of Clatford in Hampshire, and the sad news was telegraphed to him on Tuesday morning, and he arrived here the same evening. The second son is a Lieutenant in the Madras Native Infantry, and he has recently been home to England on leave for one year and half. He only left England on his return to India on the 18th December last, sailing from Hull in the steamship Albion, one of the Wilson liners. A letter was received from him only on Monday last stating that he had arrived in India, that he had joined his regiment at Secunderbad, and that it was now on its way to Burmah. It will be some days before the sad news of his father’s death con possibly reach him. The shock to the third son, Mr. Edgar, when he hears the melancholy news will probably be greater than to the others.

It was only on Saturday morning last that he wished his father “good-bye” and left Skegness also for India. He is also in the army,and has recently been appointed as Lieutenant in the Durham Light Infantry which is stationed at Poonah, in India. He sailed from Portsmouth on Tuesday, in the troopship, Malabar, for Bombay, to join the regiment, to which he has been appointed, at Poonah, and he may not hear of his father’s death until the ship touches at Malta, some days hence. The only surviving daughter is Mrs. Baldwin, wife of the esteemed rector of Skegness.

In 1842, and when only 16 years of age, the deceased went out to India as an ensign in the 21st Native Infantry, under the East India Company, and remained with the above-named regiment, until he retired in 1871 on a full colonel’s pension, and returned to England. He was with his regiment at Peshawar, in the northwest provinces, during the Indian mutiny in 1857. This was one of the few garrisons which did not mutiny, and the five regiments stationed here, and of which the gallant colonel’s was one, remained disaffected. At the close of the mutiny he was appointed Assistant Adjutant General at Allahabad, which post, we believe, he occupied until he finally retired and came home to England.

The mortal remains of the lamented Colonel will be interred in Clatford churchyard, Hampshire, this (Friday) afternoon at two o’clock, the deceased’s brother and other
members of his family having been buried here. We understand that the deceased selected only a few months since a spot in the churchyard where he wished his grave
to be. 

The funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Mr George Dunkley, builder, of this town. The coffin is of polished oak with brass mountings with an inner deal shell, and the breastplate bears the following inscription - “Henry Edward Iremonger, born 25th March, 1826, died February 21st, 1888.”

The coffin containing the body was removed from “Harewood” yesterday (Thursday) morning shortly after nine o’clock, and despatched by the 10.35 a.m. train for Hampshire. The members and officers of the Local Board, a large number of the Members of the Oddfellows’ Society, and many of the general public assembled at the late residence of the deceased about nine o’clock and followed his remains to the railway station, in order to show their last mark of respect to the late Chairman of the Local Board and one who was greatly beloved by all. A handsome wreath of white flowers was placed on the coffin by the members of the Local Board, together with an appropriate mourning card with the words:
“From the members and officers of the Skegness Local Board. In sincere regard. February, 1888.”

The Oddfellows also sent a beautiful wreath of flowers, which was placed on the coffin with a card bearing the words, “As a tribute of respect and sympathy from the Skegness Oddfellows.”

The whole of the shops in the streets, and blinds from private houses, were closed during the mournful procession to the station.
The members and officers of the Local Board and the Oddfellows will attend divine service at St. Matthew’s Church on Sunday morning next, when, in all probability, some allusion will be made to the lamented death of the late Colonel.

The picture below was taken in 1885 and shows the Skegness Local Board. From the names list, I deduce that Col Henry Edward Iremonger is the gentleman seated in the centre.

Charles Houghton, G J Crofts, W E Swift, G J Dashper, Coun Baldwin, Coun Iremonger, C J Bernard, E R Capon, Charles Hildred, A W Rawley, F Cartright, Charles Fred Grantham, E Grantham, E A Jackson, G Burley, S Clarke, Henry V Tippett, E L Wardle.

The annual Easter Egg Run was held in Skegness today.

Bikers from Skegness and surrounding districts gathered at the Seaview Hotel for hot tea sandwiches before they set off for the Pilgrim Hospital in Boston to present Easter Eggs to children in hospital.

The event was set off by the Mayor of Skegness, Coun Ken Milner.

The picture below shows the bikers infront of the Seaview Hotel, along with the Mayor and Mayoress of Skegness, Coun Ken Milner and Mrs Deborah Milner, and Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Skegness, Coun Neil Pimperton and Coun Mrs Rita Pimperton.

Palm Sunday Procession

Members of the Skegness local churches held a Palm Sunday procession today (Sunday, 16th March) to celebrate Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem for the Christian Passover festival.

Led by Rev Linda Bond, the procession set off from St Clement’s Church in Skegness and made its way to St Matthew’s Church.

The procession included a donkey, representing the one on which Jesus rode, and the people were waving palm leaves, some of which were formed into the shape of crosses.

A service was held at St Matthew’s Church, which was attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Skegness and the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress.