From the "Standard" Saturday ????:   LAST OF THE "ALARM BOYS"  DEATH ENDS CAREER OF A GALLANT LIFEBOATMAN      Over half a century ago Redcar heard for the last time the beating of the drum sounded by the Redcar lifeboat "alarm boy". That boy, the last to parade the streets of the town drumming out the crew of the lifeboat to do their duty, was Mr. William R. Picknett, whose death (reported briefly in last week's "Standard") occurred on Thursday last.      A native of Redcar, born in South Terrace, where he lived for the whole of his 69 years, Mr. Picknett came from generations of fishermen, and throughout his life he was closely associated with the sea. He joined the Redcar lifeboat as a youth of 17, and before that was the "alarm boy", whose duty it was to call in the crew of the lifeboat by parading the town beating a drum, a practice which was later replaced by the rocket system of alarm. He was the last of the "alarm boys".      As a seventeen-years-old member of the lifeboat crew Mr. Picknett had his first taste of duty when the lifeboat was launched to the rescue of those aboard the "Priscilla".      This was the beginning of a career that ended on Thursday night with the record of 44 years' active service as a lifeboatman, during which time he had helped to save no fewer then 112 lives. His record was suitably recognised by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution when he was presented with an illuminated vellum recording their appreciation. Mr. Picknett was ill at the time and the presentation was made privately at his home three weeks ago by Captain J.T. Shaw, secretary of the Redcar Lifeboat Committee. There was to have been a public ceremony later.      WITH THE OLD "EMMA"      Mr. Picknett started his "life-saving career" with the old Free Gardeners' lifeboat "Emma", which was, in those days, stationed in what is now the the old boathouse. This lifeboat was privately owned.      He was about nineteen years of age when he had to go out with the lifeboat to what is considered to have been one of the worst shipwrecks known on this part of the coast. The ship in distress was the "Samarang"and it had got into difficulties in wild seas off Saltburn. The lifeboat of the Institution at Redcar, the Free Gardeners', and the Saltburn boat went out, and 14 lives were saved.      Mr. Picknett received his training with the privately-owned "Emma" and before joining the Institution crew he had helped to save some scores of lives.      It is difficult to estimate the number of lives he has actually saved or helped to .................. as bathers in difficulties and people stranded on the rocks, cut off by the tide. Of these incidents no records were kept and it is safe to say that over 200 people owed their lives to the pluck of Mr. Picknett.      As a fisherman Mr. Picknett had his own life to save on several occasions. He was one of the men in the tragic fishing disaster of a few years ago when the crews of two fishing cobles, six fishermen in all, were drowned. He and his two mates managed to get ashore at Marske.      In January, 1901, Mr. Picknett and six other fishermen were going out to assist a trawler near Marske when their boat capsized. Three of them were drowned. Mr. Picknett was one of the four who were saved.      Mr. Picknett often took part in rescues with his brother in an ordinary fishing coble before becoming a member of the Institution's crew. THE FUNERAL      With full honours accorded by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution the funeral of the "gallant gentleman" took place at Redcar.      The service at the Parish Church on Monday was conducted by the Vicar, the Rev. A. Robson, and the internment was at Redcar Cemetery.      The coffin was covered with the Institution flag, while the pennant outside the lifeboat station was at half-mast.      The cortege was headed by Coastguards, followed by the crews of the Redcar and Teesmouth lifeboats.      A notable figure was Mr. Thomas Hood Picknett, uncle of the dead man, who is now nearing his 90th year. He was a member of the lifeboat crew for a very long period.      At the graveside he broke down completely.      The Redcar lifeboatmen were represented by:- J.T. Shaw (secretary), D. Stonehouse (cox.), L. Playfoot (mechanic), G. Hall and J. Boagey.      Teesmouth lifeboat:- James Thompson (cox.), John Thompson (second cox.), William Atkinson, J. Stonehouse, G. Stonehouse and H. Walton.      The bearers were Messrs. J. Stonehouse, H. Robson, D. Stonehouse, M. Baker, G. Walton, R. Stonehouse, H. Barker.      Capt. Shaw was accompanied by Coastguards Bramley, Hayman, Hobbs, and ex-station-officer Hobbs. CHIEF MOURNERS      The chief mourners included Mrs. W. Picknett (widow), Messrs. William, Cecil and Ernest Picknett (sons), Mrs. F. Bean (daughter), Mr. T.H. Picknett (uncle), Mrs. M. Blackburn, Mrs. Robinson, Misses Ada, Fanny and Lily Picknett (sisters).      Wreaths were received from: "Wife, Daughter and Three Sons", Brother Tom and family, Sisters Fanny and Ada and Brother-in-law Jim, Sister Cissie, Uncle Tom and Cousins, Niece Meggie and Nephew John, Niece Ada and Nephew Clyde, Great-Niece Madge and Great-Nephew Billie, Jack, Jim and Bili Bean; Mrs. Dale and family, Mr. and Mrs. Bramblewell and Aunt Nellie "Comrades" Mr. and Mrs. Garneth and family, Mr. and Mrs. Hargreaves.