William Henry
Founder & Chief Secretary, Royal Life Saving Society

HUMANITY lost one of is greatest benefactors when William Henry on March 20, 1928, passed to his well-earned and final rest. Men and women, girls & boys throughout the world will never forget the debt of gratitude they owe to William Henry for founding in 1891 the “Swimmers’ Life Saving Society”. With the idealism and imagination of the true artist and the untiring zeal of the fanatic William Henry taught mankind that swimming meant something more than mere water pot-hunting, it could, by knowledge and practice become an asthetic art whereby its recreative and health-giving joys become still more pleasurable & delightful. He proved that saving life from drowning could be confidently undertaken by any one who mastered eight simple drills, three for release from the clutches of the drowning person and five for bringing the patient, whether passive or struggling to safety. Gathering around him a small band of enthusiasts, Henry started his crusade by lecturing on and demonstrating the eight drills to Swimming Clubs and Schools. Interest was aroused and very shortly "The Life Saving Society”, with proper Officers and Executive, came into being. A system of Awards was institued. In 1892, 86 Certificates were granted. Last year the number was 45,549. To-day the Diploma of the Society is regarded as the Blue Ribbon of the Swimming World.

In 1904 Royalty was so satisfied with the work Henry and the Society were doing, that the late King Edward VII graciously conferred the title “Royal”. Branches were gradually formed not only throughout the Empire, but in Foreign Countries as well, and in the Empire alone there are now close on half-a-million certificated Life Savers helping to spread the good work.

Henry did not forget the afflicted. People with only one arm or one leg as well as the blind were all helped. One of the earliest demonstrations in 1891 was given in the bath of the Royal Normal Collage for the Blind, Norwood, and to date forty-eight pupils hold the Certificate and seventeen the Medallion of the Society. The result is that today the Blind throughout the English-speaking world are being taught the delights of Swimming & Life-saving. In addition to possessing a pleasing personality Henry wa a splendid organiser, and one of the finest all round swimmers in the World. This ability to demonstrate practically in salt water or fresh, fully dressed or clad in swimming costume only, what he talked about made him uniquely fitted to fill the very onerous position of Chief Secretary. At the request of the Executive; Henry visited not only nearly every swimming bath in the United Kingdom, but Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, Sweden, Germany, the U.S.A. and other Countries, lecturing, teaching and consolidating “THE CALISE", Kings, Princes, Presidents, Governors, and the General Public extended a patronage and welcome seldom granted to a Commoner.

If all those who venerate the memory of William Henry will prove their sincerity by imitating his example in teaching and spreading the knowledge of swimming and life-saving to which he so strenuously and unselfishly devoted forty years of his life, then they too may hope, when called home, to hear as we are sure did he, the words" Well done thou good and faithful servant”.

G.M.C