Old Gravestone of Lifeboatman Arouses Interest in Orkney
An old gravestone in Stromness Cemetery records the passing of John Folster, a lifeboat man for 51 years, who died in 1963
We recently spotted a small, simple grave slab in Stromness Cemetery with the following inscription:
JOHN FOLSTER
FISHERMAN
LIFEBOAT MAN 51 YEARS
DIED 23/7/1963 AGED 84
We asked around but have, as yet found no living relatives. Someone told us that both she and her husband were descended from Folsters but that the name had died out in Orkney, although was still known in the USA and Canada.
The possibility that he served the lifeboat for over half a century piqued our interest and a call to RNLI Heritage Department in Poole revealed that he was born in 1878 and joined RNLI, aged 17, in 1895.
He left ‘at some point’ after that but served again 1943-1946 when he was needed during the war, presumably as so many younger men were away.
John received a long service certificate in 1946. A short article appeared in the Orkney Herald in February 1947 recording the certificate for ’51 years continuous service’.
Given that the stonemason and journalist were both local, we feel inclined to think John Folster served a good portion of the stated 51 years, if not all of it. Attendance on the lifeboat was a much less regulated event in those days.
Whatever the full story turns out to be, should we ever find it, it is clear John Folster served the RNLI and his community well. Those at the time wanted him to be remembered for his service. The grave stone is very worn, and parts of the inscription lost, but we shall make sure he is not forgotten here in Stromness, Orkney.
RNLI media contacts
Richard Clubley, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Stromness RNLI, [email protected]
Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]
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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
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