Just take a look at the legend that surrounds Henry Freeman seen here in the photo. A lifejacket similar to the one he wore which saved his life was proudly exhibited at the offices of the Whitby Gazette.
He was to become a famous Lifeboatman. But just then he was merely a young man who had been brave enough or daft enough to jump into the Lifeboat to save his fellow seamen. He was just a young lad and the main crew members were lost were fine seamen. Henry Freemans fame was partly spread by the photographer Frank Sutcliffe who was perhaps the greatest photographer of his time capturing the life and times of Whitby so long ago. Henry Freeman proudly wore his cork lifejacket and posed for the great photographer. Today his photo is easy to spot around Whitby. Henry Freeman was a brave man like many other Lifeboatmen. Many others came before him and were just as brave and perhaps more so. Yet their images have not survived the passage of time.
Their stories were not captured in newspapers. Their bravery simply forgotten.
http://www.scarboroughsmaritimeheritage.org.uk/ahenryfreeman.php
