Programme Cover
The Naming of the Edian Courtauld
On 20 July 1954, the town of Walton came to a standstill for the naming of the RNLI lifeboat Edian Courtauld by HRH The Duchess of Kent.
This series of photographs taken by Putmans Photographers is a record of the day.
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Programme of the event
Service sheet
Ref 01 Duchess arrives at Walton Railway Station met by Alf South the Chairman of the Council
Ref 26 At the Albion Breakwater Frinton & Walton Red Cross prepare the guard of honour
Ref 16 Choirs of Walton, Frinton & Kirby Churches
Ref 12 Note the Tannoy system
Ref 51 The crowds gathered
Ref 74 One lone policeman (Sgt. Jennings) guards the podium
Ref 71 Important people await the arrival of the Duchess
Ref 72 Photographer 'Paddy' Mullen armed with a plate camera also waits
Ref 73 Still waiting
Ref 31 When the car with the Duchess does arrive a large policeman gets in the way
Ref 03 The Duchess's car arrives
Ref 02 The Duchess moves through the guard of honour. Note the press camera men
Ref 68 This is the photo that they were waiting for
Ref 04 On to the staging. Walton schoolchildren had a front row view
Ref 04 Det. The schoolchildren inc Teacher Doug Barratt & Miss Cole (Mrs Boyd),
Ref 14 Another view of the children. Who can you spot?
Ref 09 The speeches begin
Ref 10 The crowds listen
Ref 41 You can see how big the crowds were....
Ref 48 ....even on the beach
Ref 50 An orderly crowd
Ref 40 The view from the Albion Hotel
Ref 17 The Rev. Owen led prayers
Ref 21 Alf South made his speech but young David Humphries was not impressed
Ref 23 Capt. Bill Oxley Hon. Sec of the Walton Lifeboat gave his address
Ref 28 The Duchess performed the naming
Ref 29 The Duchess performed the naming
Ref 35 The view from the Albion Hotel
Ref 36 The crowd rose as The Edian Courtauld was named
Ref 08 The Edian Courtauld with The Lady Kent behind
Ref 43 The Edian Courtauld
Ref 49 The Edian Courtauld
Ref 37 The event over
Ref 39 Waiting for the Duchess to leave the staging
Ref 13 Customs Officer 'Brummy' Richardson keeps the crowd under control
Ref 69 As the Duchess leaves the children wave
Ref 70 The Duchess with Alf South - Mrs Ruth Brett & Mrs Cole in the background
Ref 64 The Duchess met the officials - Capt. Bill Oxley
Ref 07 Who is this?
Ref 53 Mrs Brook ? (I think)
Ref 65 She was then presented to the crew - Coxswain Jonas Oxley
Ref 66 Frank Bloom, Tim Oxley, Gilbert Barrs
Ref 56 Ken Haggis
Ref 57 Les Wall
Ref 58 Frank Oxley
Ref 59 Frank Britton
Ref 60 Derek Halls
Ref 80 Jack Barrett
Ref 79 'Nigger' Gray
Ref 79 Then she met some former crew members - Tom 'Puggy' Bloom former cox'n
Ref 77 Ted Oxley
Ref 76 Fraser Bacon
Ref 75 'Spider' Eaton
Ref 61 Phil Farrow
Ref 62 Alf Halls
Ref 63 L to R 'Decker' Finch, 'Toddy' Williams, Alf Halls, Phil Farrow
Ref 34 Marine Parade was lined by well wishers as the Duchess was driven to the Marine Hotel for a reception
Ref 52 The only photo from the Marine Hotel reception shows Jean Barratt, Ron Brayley and Ken Haggis
Ref 30 While this ceremony was performed one lone policeman guarded entry to the town. No one argued with 'Tiny' Simmonds
Ref 32 At Walton Station the Station Master, Mr. Nicholls, prepared the platform for the departure of the Duchess
Ref 67 Time to say 'Goodbye'
Ref 47 The Edian Courtauld was well and truly 'named'
Ref 1942 View from top of The Kino
Ref 1947 View from top of The Kino