Officer George Parsonage
George Parsonage was born in 1943 in the Glasgow Humane Society House on the banks of the River Clyde.
From the age of 14, George would help his father Benjamin with recoveries on the waterways in and around the City of Glasgow.
Like his father before him George a strapping 62 year-old patrolled the River Clyde seven days a week three hundred and sixty five days a year.
As a Lifeboat Officer of the Glasgow Humane Society, George has personally dragged more than a thousand bodies to safety over the past four decades.
George married late in life, he met his wife Stephanie a keen amateur rower when he rescued her after her sculling boat capsized.
Due to Health & Safety issues and lack of manpower Glasgow Humane Society has been stood down from rescue and recovery operations.
To prevent and identify any potential dangers to visitors and to the people of Glasgow, George and the lifeguard corp will continue to carry out regular patrols of the River Clyde and its banks.
Over the years George has been awarded various medals and honours including:
1971 - Glasgow Corporation Bravery Medal
1971 - Royal Humane Society Honorary Testimonial on Parchment and combined resuscitation Certificate
1978 - Strathclyde Region Medal and Bar
1978 - Mountbatten Medal R.L.S.S
1983 - Royal Humane Society Honorary Testimonial on Parchment
1998 - The St Mungo Medal
1999 - Member British Empire (M.B.E.)
2002 - Queens Golden Jubilee Medal
2004 - Honorary Testimonial of the Royal Humane Society
2005 - The Royal Humane Society Special Silver Medal
2006 - Service Cross of the Royal Life Saving Society
George Parsonage was recently awarded and Honorary Doctorate by Strathclyde University. George attended a ceremony at the Barony Halls of the University.
Also receiving an Honorary Doctorate was the Lord Provost Liz Cameron who is Honorary President of the Glasgow Humane Society. View Gallery...