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Admin History:

From Hull but now living in Beverley, David Marshall was born in 1940. His father was the managing director of an industrial paint factory. David’s mother was the daughter of a local confectioner and baker. Aged 11, David passed his exams to attend the Grammar School in Hull. Despite a place in the Grammar School being available, David joined a private Navy School, RMNS Bearwood in Berkshire. Upon leaving private Navy School, he prepared for a career in the Royal Navy from the age of 18, but felt his future lay in Marine Electronics. He returned to Hull to attend Hull’s Technical Training College, which was well-known for its Marine Electronics Department, studying for a 2nd Class PMG radio Operator’s Certificate of Competence. This allowed for sailing as a qualified radio operator. He stayed on at Hull’s technical College to take a first-class PMG and additional Radar Maintenance Certificate, with extra night class to study in Electronics Engineering to emerge as Radio Electronics Officer First Class.

He served as Electronics Communication Officer first-class aboard the Cunard transatlantic liner, Carinthia out of Liverpool. His career took him all over the world. Returning ashore, he took up a position with PYE Telecommunications Ltd. in Glasgow as a VHF Technician. Upon returning to Hull, he worked on the docks at Hull with Redifon as an Electronics Technician where he became involved in the layout and installation of radio and navigation equipment for new trawlers. This involved him travelling to Polan where the trawlers were been built.

After marrying, David set up his own independent marine electronics company (Electronics Marine Limited), working out of St. Andrews Dock, and working with Hull’s trawling industry.

In 1960 he found himself overboard in the Pacific surrounded by sharks. This, and the later loss of the Gaul in 1974 led to David looking to improve maritime safety. Thanks to his experience and career in electronics and communication, he set about inventing a rescue beacon – the world’s first Personal Locator Beacon. The Beacon has since gone on to save thousands of lives. More to do with David’s career and life can be read in his biography at DI 27/7.

The device was first used when adventurer, Ken Kerr decided to row singlehandedly across the Atlantic. 750 miles to the east if Newfoundland Ken’s yacht capsized. He was rescued by a passing cargo thanks to the Personal Locator Beacon. His Personal Locator beacon has been purchased across the globe, including America where David met with Senator Ted Kennedy at Capitol Hill.

Description:

Correspondence, presscuttings etc. relating to the development of the Personal Locator Beacon and personal items relating to his career at sea.