Paisley People - May 18, 2006
Headless Torso Recovered
by Irina Nelson.
THE community was shocked when a headless torso was recovered from the River Clyde at Renfrew several weeks ago.
The body turned out to be missing dad-of-three James Chambers (39) from Linwood who threw himself off
Erskine Bridge in December 2005.
And the discovery finally ended a five month long ordeal for his wife Sharon.
This week she opened her heart about her husband's long battle with depression and the tragic
circumstances leading up to his death.
It is a story that tugs at the heart strings of one man who has dedicated his life to sparing other
families the distress and grief of trying to find a missing relative.
George Parsonage has been scouring rivers across East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire for bodies on behalf of Glasgow Humane Society for almost fifty years.
But his knowledge is being sacrificed to cuts in cash.
And the society is being forced to make way for other emergency services through new health and safety regulations.
The former art teacher told The Barrhead News: "All I knew was that Mr Chambers had gone missing some time
ago.
"I was taken aback when I found out where his body was discovered but no-one is infallible and the more
people who are out searching for these bodies, the more likely we are to find them.
"It frustrated me greatly that we were not allowed to go out and aid the recovery. We are a very valuable
resource that is no longer being used."
Glasgow Humane Society was set up in 1790 to recover the bodies of people who had committed suicide in
local rivers.
Up until that year, bodies were left by the authorities and the public who considered suicide a criminal
act.
The Society ensured the recovery of literally thousands of corpses through their dedicated officers,
including George's own father Benjamin who served for 61 years of his life.
Benjamin helped rescue a small boy from drowning in Barrhead Dams several decades ago.
But the proud legacy has slowly been eroded by the loss of the funding and the new safety regulations.
It is now being taken over by Strathclyde Police and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service.
The Society had received £90,000 from Strathclyde Police three years ago. They were last week told to
expect no more.
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue have pledged £20,000 over this coming year and just £10,000 for 2007.
Both George and his protege, Eddie McGowan, are finding it difficult to hide their anger.
"We were taken off call by Strathclyde Police on health and safety grounds,"
said George. "And that is their prerogative.
"I do not have an axe to grind with them as I have had many happy times working with the police, but it is
up to the Humane Society as to how we deploy our officers.
"If I see a body floating out on the water I will go out and get it. We have to do it before it gets
trapped in a position where it cannot be reached.
"People do not deserve their loved one being found in a river after several months by a member of the
public.
"If that is harsh, I make no apologies.
"It hurts me greatly that there are people still missing and we are not being given a chance to search for
them."
Policeman's son Eddie predicts there could be dire consequences. "Over the past two hundred years, the society has done a damn good job," he said.
"What everyone seems to forget is that the society has a functioning system that works really well.
"They dismantled the system before they thought about who could do it or the fact that people are going to
have to learn from their mistakes; the same ones we learned hundreds of years ago.
"Mistakes on the river tend to cost lives - and that is what we don't want."
They have however carried out four or five rescues and prevented half a dozen people going into the water since being taken off call.
And their work continues to receive the firm backing of the public.
George recovered the bodies of two elderly men from Johnstone who fell into the River Cart in Paisley.
He has also carried out several successful searches of the River Gryffe.
"I have had a long affection for the people of Johnstone Burgh,"
revealed George who is a father to two young boys.
"We would be out on the boats searching for people for up to 24 hours at a time and no-one would even
offer us a cup of tea.
"But the people of Johnstone regularly came down if we were searching the River Gryffe to give us some
dinner and keep up our strength.
"That really meant a lot to us."
It is cash from the grateful public that is helping keep the spirit of the Society alive.
Donations are regularly received by George's sister, Ann, who gives talks on their work.
And people stop by their headquarters in Glasgow Green to dip into their pockets and hand over money.
"We get a lot that way," said George. "There are a lot of people out there who owe us a hell of a lot and
think a hell of a lot of us.
"However if funding from the authorities comes to an end then there is a chance we could become a
historical museum.
"But I do not think that is what the people want because the support just keeps coming."
If you would like to offer a donation to the Society, contact George on 0141 429 2492.