David Appleby was a lighthouse keeper in England for 32 years. After he was hired by Trinity House in 1965 and trained at Harwich, he spent some time as a supernumerary keeper at various light stations. His first assignment as an assistant keeper was at isolated Eddystone, one of the most famous lighthouses in the world.

Eddystone Lighthouse, England. USLHS photo.

David Appleby

Other stations where David worked included Wolf Rock off Cornwall and Longstone in the Farne Islands. His longest stint was seven years at Lynmouth Foreland in North Devon. David was the last keeper at St. Mary’s Light and Souter Point Light, and he was one of the last crew of lighthouse keepers in England when he left the North Foreland Light in 1998. He lives today in northeastern England.

North Foreland Light Station, England. USLHS photo.