John Parkinson died from his injuries

December 20, 1911
The terrible scalding accident at the Blackpool Corporation Baths, Cocker Street, last Tuesday week, by which John Parkinson, the superintendent, and Isaac Howcroft, attendant , received serious injuries, has resulted in the death of the superintendent, which took place at five o’ clock on Wednesday evening. The attendant was able to be returned to his home in Moister road on Tuesday.

The baths superintendent was best known locally as Jack Parkinson, he having been a popular lifeboat man and a member of the Blackpool Football Club team in the Lancashire League days. Parkinson played centre forward for the Blackpool team, on the Raikes Hall ground, and his form was such as to induce Liverpool to secure his services, where he remained for two or three years, only to return to his native town’s club in 1900, for which he played centre half up to last season.

His long service with the Seaside club entitled him to the “benefit” he received, and as he was one of the most genial and steady of fellows he was liked wherever he went, and was very popular not only with the public, but amongst all his colleagues. His death under such distressing circumstances is deeply deplored.

His connection with the lifeboat service has been continued from his youth up, for as a local boatman he was well qualified to be a member of the of the crew, and throughout the country he was known as the sailor-footballer. He last went out in the in the lifeboat to the wreck of the “Rosaleen” at St Anne’s a few weeks ago. He has only been married a little over a year, his wife having been assistant manageress at the baths for several years previously.

The funeral has been arranged to take place today (Saturday) and the Corporation Baths Committee are attending it.

The cortege is timed to leave the house at 1.30, proceeding first of all to Christ Church, where Parkinson was married about a year ago. The Rev J Edwards, vicar – who with the Rev S Gamble-Walker, constantly visited Parkinson during his illness – will conduct the service, The Rev S Gamble-Walker reading the lessons.

In addition to the baths committee, the local Blackpool Lifeboat Committee and the local lifeboat crew will be represented: and the lifeboat band will play from Christ church to the Cemetery.  Mr C. Noden will marshal the procession, which will no doubt include many of the deceased’s footballer friends, the Lancashire Football Association being specially represented by one of the executive committee, and the Blackpool Football Club by Councillor J Wells one of the directors.

Instead of a hearse, the coffin will be placed in the deceased own boat “The Union Star” the vessel being drawn on its own carriage by a number of his former comrades

Howcroft, who was removed to his home on Tuesday, has been very ill during the last few days, and was not out of danger yesterday.

With respect to Parkinson and the Carnegie Hero Fund, the Mayor (Councillor Collins J.P.) sent the appeal decided upon by the highway committee on Monday, but Parkinson having died on Wednesday, the Mayor sent a further communication on Thursday asking that some recognition of Parkinson’s conduct be granted to his widow.
(Source: Lancashire Evening Post: December 23, 1911)

Jack Parkinson’s grave stone. Picture found here.

Text reads (upper):
“In living memory of
John Arnold Parkinson
of Blackpool
Born Aug 27th 1875
Died Dec 20th 1911.”

(Lower):
“Late Superintendent Corporation Baths
North Shore. He lost his life in a heroic attempt
to save the bath angineer from a tank of boiling
sea water. A member of the Blackpool Lifeboat
Crew for twenty years
Never shall his memory fade.”