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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

APPEALED IN VAIN
DISTRESSING CASE OF A SKEGNESS MAN

The appeal of John Henry Gask (52), of 9, Scarbrough Avenue, Skegness, against a total of six months’ imprisonment in respect of three convictions for indecent offences against young girls at Skegness before the Lindsey Appeals Committee at Lincoln on Wednesday was dismissed.

The sentence had been imposed by Skegness magistrates on June 28th when Gask admitted the three offences and asked for two of a similar nature to be taken into consideration.

Gask, it was stated, was the part-time caretaker of the Roman Bank Methodist Chapel at Skegness, and all the offences were committed against young girls who attended the chapel Sunday school, and took place either at the chapel or in its immediate vicinity.

MEDICAL TREATMENT
Mr. G. C. Phillips, chairman of the Appeals Committee, said it was one of the most distressing types of case with which they had to deal. The committee asked their clerk to bring the facts of the case to the notice of the hospital authorities in the hope that it might be possible for Gask to receive the medical treatment he so urgently required immediately his prison sentence was cornpleted.
No order for costs was made.

1951 local news story

Alleged Indecent Behaviour of Elderly Skegness Signwriter
SENTENCED FOR THREE MONTHS

Magistrates and Interests of Young Children

The alleged indecent behaviour of a man of over 60 years of age with a 13-year-old Skegness schoolgirl occupied the attention of the Skegness magistrates for over an hour yesterday (Tuesday).
They considered the case proved and sentenced the accused, John Francis Reynolds, sign writer, of Prince George Street Skegness, to three months imprisonment on two charges.
The Court was cleared for the hearing of the case.

The 13-year-old child said she had known accused for three years and used to receive pennies for running errands for papers and tobacco, and taking signs from his workshop in Prince George Street. She met him once by arrangement at the Ship Hotel corner and had been twice a week to his workshop by herself since Xmas.

On one occasion he interefered with her underclothing and indecently assaulted her, and the same thing happened every time. She told some girls what had happened and also her mother. She said nothing before because she was frightened of accused who said it would get them both into trouble. Something she had written on a piece of paper was found by a boy and came into the hands of her teacher.

The child’s mother spoke to accused’s visiting their house in connection with what had been said and saying that they were all likely to get into trouble.

“IT’S A PACK OF LIES !”
Detective-Sergeant Hodson said he received a complaint on February 21st about accused’s conduct.

At a later date he visited Reynolds’ workshop where he told him he had a warrant for his arrest. Reynolds replied “Good God, what for ?” When he read the warrant over Reynolds replied “Of course, it’s a pack of lies. She’s been put up to this. It’s a devil. I saw her mother and father and told them she was not to come unless her brother came with her.”
Witness then noticed the billheads produced, and when be asked Reynolds where they came from he said the girl had cut them off because she wanted some paper to “sum” on.

On the way to the police station accused asked for the girl to be medically examined, and added “I thought something was up. I saw the boy and girl together and they looked a bit downy. I had to tell her about swearing.”

Insp. Harvey: Did he at any time deny the offences with which you charged him?—No, sir.
Accused did not cross-examine the detective.

CHARGES DENIED
Accused elected not to give evidence on oath. He said the girl’s evidence was not true. He had tried to keep her away. He had never done anything wrong and never suspected anything of that sort, having daughters of his own. One night he met the girl and her elder sister out at one o’clock in the morning. They said they had been out on the front looking for chaps and would have to get in home through the window.
The elder girl had been a bad influence on her sister. He denied assaulting the young girl in any way.

Insp. Harvey said accused was a married man living in a caravan apart from his wife. There was nothing previously known against his character.

The Chairman (Mr. G. H. J. Dutton) said the case had given the Bench considerable anxiety. In the interests of young children they could do no less than send accused to prison for three months.

Source: Skegness News 1933

TARRED AND NAKED MAN AT SKEGNESS

REMARKABLE DISCLOSURE AT SPILSBY POLICE COURT

WALKED ROUND TOWN AT NIGHT
The remarkable disclosure that a man had entered a shed at Skegness, tarred himself from head to foot and walked about the streets naked all night, was made at a special police court at Spilsby last Wednesday.

Ernest Thomas Furze (33) described as a kitcnen porter, of Mevagissy, Cornwall, was charged with wandering abroad, lodging in the open air without visible means, and failing to give a good account of himself at Partney, near Spilsby, the previous night.

APPREHENDED AT PARTNEY

P.c. Evans, of Partney, stated that about 8p.m. he received a complaint from Mr. Holderness, of Model farm, Partney, that a man was wandering round his stacks and field. Proceeding there in company with Insp A. Stevens they found Furze lying under a stack covered with tar practically from head to foot, and his only clothing was a pair of old trousers.

It appeared the man had torn off all his clothing except his trousers and thrown them away with his boots.
When questioned he could give no clear statement about himself and was taken to Spilsby police station.
Insp. A. Stevens said Furze had volunteered to him the information that he had I been in trouble several times at numerous places and had been wandering about the country since October last year.

The Inspector asked for a remand for a week, during which time the authorities would endeavour to get the tar off the man and have inquiries made concerning him.

ABSOLUTELY NUDE.
It appeared from what Furze told him, added the Inspector, that Furze went to Skegness earlier that week and there entered a shed where there were some tar barrels. He then tarred himself all over and walked around Skegness during the night, absolutely nude.
Later on he went into a shelter and back again into the shed.
The magistrates were shown Furze’s legs, which were black with tar, and Insp Stevens commented that the man had said that he “would do something to himself”‘ if he was allowed to go.
Furze: Yes, I shall. It’s no good putting me back on the road. You had better send me to prison.
Insp. Stevens: He is in that state of mind that makes it necessary for something to be done for his benefit.
The magistrates granted the application for a remand, and asked that a report be made by the prison authorities upon the state of mind of the prisoner and also his physical condition.

Source: Skegness Standard 1994

A 22-YEAR-OLD Skegness man, who masturbated in public on the beach has been fined by magistrates.
Edward Gray, of Lumley Avenue, was seen masturbating on the beach in Skegness in the sight of two seven-year-old boys, the court heard.
Gray, pleaded guilty to using behaviour likely to cause harrassment, alarm or distress. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £35 costs by Skegness magistrates.
Distasteful
Mr John Bradley, prosecuting, said that it was a rather distasteful episode.
On July 3, at 2.30pm, a woman sunbathing with her boyfriend and parents on the beach at North Parade, Skegness, saw Gray masturbating near some steps. There were two seven-year-old boys close by and the witness was concerned and reported the matter to police, said Mr Bradley.
Gray, who was unrepresented, said that he had no excuse. He said that he had seen a psychiatrist and that nothing like that had happened since.

The above article appeared in a 1994 issue of the Skegness Standard. Two years later, in 1996, an ‘Edward Gray’ committed a sex offense when he ‘exposed himself’ to three young teenage girls on High Street in Skegness. Though no cross reference is made to each incident in the newspaper articles, the name and the age of the man is consistent with it being the same man. I’ll leave you to draw your own conclusions.