Thomas Gregory was a boat proprietor who lived near the Quay for his whole life, the last twenty or so years in Rose Cottage which was later incorporated into the Prospect Inn. He was notable for having saved the lives of many people from drowning in the River Exe: obituaries of him put the number he rescued at over 400 over the course of his life. Such a record may never have been exceeded in British history. Although no official tally was kept at the time, research by the Friends of the Higher Cemetery uncovered regular reports in the local papers of lives saved by him. In 1894 at a young age he was awarded a medal by the Royal Humane Society for one notable rescue, but he went on to save so many more.
At the turn of the Twentieth Century a large proportion of the population hadn’t had the opportunity to learn how to swim. Exeter Quay was a busy harbour, both with working boats and pleasure craft, and accidents happened, as they do now. There are reports of others, including Thomas’ son (also Thomas) jumping in the water to rescue someone who was in trouble, but no one saved the lives of so many people as Mr Gregory. Hence the phrase “Call Mister Gregory!”. He was later referred to as “Exeter’s unpaid quay constable”.
Here is a link to the crowdfunding appeal: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/a-blue-plaque-for-exeter-lifesaver-thomas-gregory
An account of his life can be read here: https://www.exeterlocalhistorysociety.co.uk/past-events/2020/2020-04-09-thomas-gregory-lifesaver/