Coxswain Joseph Parkinson of Lytham-St.-Anne's died while still in the service of the Institution on the 17th of March, 1959, at the age of 59.

He was assistant mechanic from 1931 to 1957 and coxswain from 1947 to 1959.

In July 1955 the Lytham-St. Anne's life- boat rescued five men from a yacht which was aground in a very dangerous position. For this service Coxswain Parkinson was awarded the bronze medal..