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The lifesaving Mermaid of Bognor Regis, Mary Wheatland
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The lifesaving Mermaid of Bognor Regis, Mary Wheatland
Mary Wheatland (1835-1924) - a well known Bognor Regis Character, a woman who hired bathing machines from the east of the pier. She taught children to swim and saved many lives for which she received medals and recognition from the Royal Humane Society. Crowds would gather at the groyne to the east of the pier to watch her swim in her serge suit. She delighted in standing upside down so that just her boots protruded from the sea!! Date: 1907
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Media ID 14254840
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Apr17 Bathing Bognor Brave Bravery Celebrity Character Hired Humane Lifesaving Machines Marsh Mermaid Pankhurst Recognition Regis Rescue Unique 1907 Lifesaver Wheatland
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph captures the legendary figure of Mary Wheatland (1835-1924), a beloved character of Bognor Regis, West Sussex, during the early 1900s. Known for her unique and daring lifesaving feats, Mary was a local celebrity who hired bathing machines to the east of the pier. Her passion for swimming and dedication to saving lives earned her numerous accolades, including recognition from the esteemed Royal Humane Society. Mary's reputation as a lifesaver began when she taught children to swim and rescued many individuals in distress. The crowds that gathered at the groyne to the east of the pier would marvel at her impressive swimming abilities, as she delighted in defying convention by standing upside down in the sea, with only her boots visible. In this photograph, taken in 1907, Mary Wheatland is shown in her serge suit, embodying the strength and bravery that made her a local legend. Her story is a testament to her unwavering commitment to helping others and her unique connection to the sea. Mary's legacy as the Mermaid of Bognor Regis continues to inspire and captivate generations, and her story is a reminder of the extraordinary individuals who have shaped our coastal communities.
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