Bob's years of dedication to saving lives at sea
This week "Bottom Ender" Bob Swalwell speaks to reporter Kirsty Beever of life growing up in Scarborough, his role on the lifeboat and his family's dedication to the forces.
If you wander along the seafront on any given morning it's likely you will bump into Bob Swalwell.
Scarborian through and through, Mr Swalwell is no doubt one of the town's homegrown unsung heroes.
Not only did he serve during the Second World War clearing the British coast line and Far Eastern seas of dangerous mines, but for 15 years he worked aboard Scarborough's lifeboat, battling with the cold North Eastern elements to save those distressed at sea.
Even now, he continues to help out the Lifeboat and the Poppy Appeal, raising money where and when he can.
It was Mr Swalwell who first began Scarborough's annual tradition of laying wreaths in the sea on Remembrance Day for those loved and lost during the World Wars.
He said: "I rowed out on my own and laid just two wreaths and a bunch of flowers. The wreaths I laid were on behalf of the Royal British Legion and the Fishermen and Firemen's Fund."
In 1960, fellow RNLI volunteer Ross Tyson began to help out. Now the tradition continues, but with many more supporters including the Sea Cadets and council leader Tom Fox, and a special remembrance service is held. Last year a total of 10 association wreaths were collected at the Harbour Bar, and several more personal wreaths were laid in remembrance.
Mr Swalwell's long and loyal service to the Royal British Legion has been recognised by way of a special medal which was presented to him after totting up a total of 25 years to the service. He has long out-run this outstanding dedication – this year he will see in his 66 years of membership with the Royal British Legion.
Bob Swalwell, 83, grew up with his eight brothers and sisters in Dumple Street – now Friargate – in Scarborough's old town.
He said: "It was a bit harder in those days. And then, they were all big families. Granny lived in Princess Street – she had 16 children. And you all mucked in because you had no money."
He went to Friarage School from age three and left when he was 13 and a half.
After school he went to work for AW Sinclair and Son as an apprentice machinist, earning just 10s 11d a week.
By the time he reached 17 years old, Britain was in the middle of the Second World War and, like many young men, he was keen to serve King and country.
He joined the Royal Navy in 1943, and served aboard minesweepers.
He said: "We served the North East coast out of Plymouth. Then we went out to the Far East, and were based in Singapore. We swept all the little islands out there – the Dutch Indonesia they were called then."
He returned to Scarborough in 1947 and met his wife Betty at one of the then popular Friday night dances at the Olympia.
He said: "I saw Betty's lovely blonde hair. And so I went up to her and I asked her if I could take her home!"
Mr Swalwell may not have taken her home that night – but six months later the couple were married and moved into a home of their own.
After the war, he went on to work for a ship salvage company and in the amusement trade before becoming the landlord at the Scarborough Castle Inn.
The small traditional fishermen's pub, of just two rooms, was more commonly known as Shalla Watta.
He said: "It was very homely. And we had a tiny bar. It was just like having all your friends in your home."
The couple later went on to run The Britannia and The Golden Last.
It was at Shalla Watta that Mr Swalwell was asked to join the lifeboat crew. "We were all servicemen, four of us had been on minesweepers. It was a very good team."
Mr Swalwell spent many years sleeping with his clothes by the side of the bed in case he was called out to sea.
He was on the offshore lifeboat for 15 years serving as crewman and second mechanic, and he served for six years on the inshore lifeboat.
One of the most heart wrenching rescue missions he remembers was having to recover the body of a seven-year-old girl who had fallen 200ft from Gristhorpe cliffs. Mr Swalwell and Cecil Bean manned the boat in rough seas and found the girl, who was from Huddersfield, dead on the rocks.
Another time he was called out to rescue an anglers' boat called the Sheena which capsized in bad conditions towards the southern end of South Bay. Two Scarborough men aboard the angling boat died – John Ridehalgh and Colin Monkman. The only survivor was Harold De Lavenu.
In 1974 Mr Swalwell stepped down from active service, but for many years he has continued to support them through raising funds and showing children around the lifeboat house.
Mr Swalwell's passion for the services has also been an integral part of his life. His father served in both World Wars, and he himself served in the Second.
His sister was in the Land Army, his eldest brother was a Green Howard, and his wife, Betty, was in the ATS. His son Stephen is a colour sergeant in the Territorial Army and his daughter Christine is a former nurse.
He said: "We have a great respect for the services and people that are in the services."
Mr Swalwell's other son, Robert, is a partner of the Scarborough building firm Swalwell and Geraghty.
The couple, who now live at Wilson's Mariners Homes, have six grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Mr Swalwell continues to support the Royal British Legion, the Lifeboat and Scarborough's Fishermen and Firemen's Fund.
He said: "It's just a matter of being there and making a bob or two for them. And I will help for as long as I can."
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Weather for Scarborough
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -6 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to -1 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South west
