William Curnow

He was a coast guard at High Town, Island of St Mary's part of Cornwall. He had a serious accident. While serving as a sailor on the Lord Howe under Captain Askew. He fell from aloft while setting sails and broke both legs. He was clever and was destined for promotion when the mishap occurred in heavy seas.

When he recovered, he had no trouble finding employment. He became a coastguard and boatman and was engaged in this service for 18 years. His tour of duty took him to the Scilly Islands, Sennen (near Lands End), Ireland, and Woolwich, Kent, the headquarters of the Coastguard Service.

At that time smuggling in Cornwall came to an end and no doubt William played a major role in stopping the illegal trade which had flourished for hundreds of years. It was while he was serving on the Scilly Island that he met and married in 1823 Hannah Scadden.

William retired and was superannuated with pension in 1842. He was 42 years old. He died February 22, 1882 at the age of 82. His wife Hannah followed him six years later in Feb 8, 1888. In their later years they lived in Aubrey villas Penzance.