Jump from pier SOUTHEND STATION MECHANIC, Robert Chalk, was walking with two friends, Frederick Robinson (ILB crew) and Bernard Barton, near the lifeboathouse on Southend Pier at 0900 on Monday, November 25, 1974, when, looking into the sea on the east side of the main pier, he saw a woman in the water. His immediate thought was to launch the ILB, but seeing the woman raise her arms, shout and sink beneath the surface, he slipped out of shoes and coat and jumped the 12 feet into the sea. He thought that if he could reach the woman he would be able to hold her against the pier tie-bars until more help came.

The weather was fine, wind west by north force 6 gusting gale 8, with heavy confused seas around the pier. High water Southend was predicted at 0847.

The sea water temperature was 48°.

Frederick Robinson threw Robert Chalk a lifebelt and then ran to a nearby dinghy. He was not, however, able to get through the heavy seas to the casualty area, so made for the lifeboat slipway where he and Michael Ronan (station emergency mechanic and ILB crew) launched the ILB.

Meanwhile, Bernard Barton and another man, Michael Waterman, after raising the alarm, had climbed down the pier and approached Robert Chalk and the woman at sea level across the pier supports. Robert Chalk had reached the woman and towed her, struggling, against wind and tide, until he could reach the pier tie-bars with his legs while holding the woman with both arms.

The ILB reached the scene at the second attempt, but had considerable difficulty retaining its position while the woman was brought aboard.

Frederick Robinson started mouth-tomouth resuscitation while Robert Chalk remained in the water, holding the ILB.

As the effects of the cold gradually overcame him, he lost his grip on the ILB and was washed beneath it. The men under the pier passed a rope to Michael Ronan in the ILB to secure Robert Chalk, who was hauled on to the pier deck, unconscious, at about 0920.

The ILB headed for the east slipway, where mouth-to-mouth resuscitation was continued on the woman until the police and first aid assistance arrived; she was then found to be already dead.

Robert Chalk was taken to hospital and released later the same day; he had suffered considerable lacerations to both legs from the barnacle-encrusted pier supports.The prompt action of Robert Chalk in entering the water in gale conditions showed a completely selfless courage; he remained in the water for some 20 minutes, despite considerable physical pain, to the point of exhaustion, and it is probably that but for his fitness and training as a diver he could well have lost his own life in this attempt.

Robert Leonard Chalk has been awarded a testimonial on vellum by the Royal Humane Society. A letter of appreciation signed by the Chairman of the Committee of Management, Commander F. R. H. Swann, has been sent to Mr Chalk and letters of appreciation signed by the Director, Captain Nigel Dixon, have been sent to Michael Waterman, Bernard Barton, Michael Ronan and Frederick Robinson..