After more than 25 years of volunteering at the Alfred Corry Lifeboat Museum in Southwold, 91-year-old Dick Leon has finally decided to hang up his tools. Dick is a highly skilled and respected carpenter, who has worked on many properties in Walberswick and although not a boat builder by trade he helped restore the lifeboat that served the town for the 25 years from 1893 to 1918.

The boat was built by Beeching Bros. of Great Yarmouth, and cost a total of £490.7s.4d. The RNLI provided this money from a legacy left to them by the late Mr. A. J. Corry of Putney, and hence the boat was named “Alfred Corry”. Mr. Corry had no connection with Southwold. You can find out more about the history and restoration of the lifeboat on the excellent Alfred Corrie Website.

The formal naming and handing over ceremony took place on the beach at the Southwold lifeboat station on Easter Monday, April 3rd 1883, after which she served as the Southwold No.1 boat for 25 years.

The Museum is situated in the car park at the end of Ferry Road at Southwold harbour, in what used to be the old 1923 Cromer Lifeboat shed, moved to Southwold from Cromer 80 miles away, by sea in 1998. The lifeboat shed itself has also hugely benefited from Dick’s skills. John Craigie, the great grandson of the lifeboat’s first coxswain, purchased the derelict Alfred Corry in 1974 and restored it, subsequently enjoying several cruises with his friend, Dick, whom he first met in the Sea Scouts. When maintenance became too difficult, the lifeboat was donated by the Craigie family to Southwold in 1994.

Dick’s achievements were celebrated with a special ceremony at the museum when he was presented with a picture of the lifeboat. The occasion was covered by the East Anglian Daily Times The story of the Alfred Corry can be found at alfredcorry.co.uk.

We think the Dick may be the oldest resident to have been born in the village. If anyone knows better, do let us know!