Coxswain Joseph Parkinson, of Lytham died on the 17th of March, 1959, at the age of 60. He was appointed coxswain in 1947 after serving as assistant motor mechanic of the Lytham-St. Anne's life-boat from 1931.

He was awarded the bronze medal for gallantry for a service in 1955, when the Lytham-St. Anne's life-boat rescued the crew of five of a yacht. To rescue the five men he had to make three attempts to bring the life-boat alongside..