Blackburn Sea Cadets founder dies
4:30pm Tuesday 22nd July 2008
THE ‘PROUD and humble’ co-founder of Blackburn Sea Cadets has died at the age of 80.
Stan Haworth MBE, from Padiham, established a sea cadets corp in Blackburn in 1960 and helped tens of thousands of youngsters during his 19 year service as the Lieutenant Commander of the division.
He set up the group after spending a year with East Lancashire’s only sea cadet group in Burnley and deciding children in Blackburn needed one too.
His son Graham Haworth, 47, from Padiham, said: “He never stood and watched life go by he was always passionate and gave 100 percent.
“He believed in the and the lads and there were girls towards the end as well.
“He was a very proud and humble man. If he believed in something you would know about it. That’s how the sea cadets survived.”
Mr Haworth joined the Navy in 1943 and was discharged in 1947 after he was found to be suffering from TB.
He met Charlie Chaplin whilst he was being treated in a hospital in Switzerland.
Mr Haworth never lost his love for the sea and joined the cadets.
He set up the Blackburn group with fellow cadet Tom Kennedy.
Mr Haworth fought to keep Blackburn sea cadets up and running when they moved from Accrington Road School, then to Troy Street, Blackburn, then the Imperial Mill in Philips Road.
Eileen Eastern, unit management committee, for Blackburn sea cadets, said: “He was the power behind the sea cadets. The sea cadets were his life.”
He leaves wife Evelyn, 73, three sons Graham, 47, Chris, 41, and Ashley, 38, and seven grandchildren.
Mr Haworth’s funeral will take place on Friday at All Saints Church, Habergham.
Mr Haworth died on Saturday in Royal Blackburn Hospital after one of his main arteries ruptured.
He had been suffering from diabetes, kidney problems and had suffered from a heart attack.
His son paid tribute to medical staff at the Royal Blackburn Hospital who he said “were absolutely fantastic.”
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