RNLI Stories of Courage 1939-45

William Charles Cox 1916-97

Bill was rescued by the Margate Lifeboat at Dunkirk in 1940. He continued to serve through the war including taking part in the hunt for the Bismarck and protecting Arctic Convoys to Russia on HMS Kent. Bill went on to marry in 1942 and have a happy life, with 2 children, 4 grandchildren and now 4 great grandchildren. We have always supported the RNLI and keep a picture of the Margate Lifeboat on the wall to remember how lucky he was that day.

Pat Ward, Codsall

When Fred Morgan was called up in World War 2, he became a rear-gunner in the Royal Navy, defending merchant ships. In the spring of 1945, the newly married Fred sailed from Greenock on Empire Kingsley. Approaching Land's End, the ship was torpedoed. The Sennen Cove lifeboat rescued 49 souls that day. In 1962 we visited Sennen Cove, where Dad chatted to a man working at the lifeboat station, who transpired to be one of his rescuers! Thank you RNLI. We wouldn't be here without you.

JAN PEARCE. WESTGATE ON SEA, KENT

My ex husband's grandfather was Arthur Pearce, crew from 1920, then Coxswain from 1942 to 1956 at Troon. 1n 1949 he was awarded Thanks on Vellum for rescuing 9 crew members from the SS Christine Dawn, carrying a cargo of Carbide. The cargo ship blew up later that evening.

Steve Elliott

Monday August the 12th 1940, Margate lifeboat rescue of PO A.G. Page who was desperately trying to swim with severely burnt hands and face scorched beyond recognition. He was treated by the legendary plastic surgeon Sir Archibald McIndoe at East Grinstead, information can be found in the book the tale of the Guinea Pig

Frank Taylor, Cullercoats

My father James Taylor, was coxswain of the Cullercoats Lifeboat throughout WW2 he saved over 95 lives, mainly servicemen. Some of the rescues in high seas and blinding snowstorms in mine infested waters. God bless him and the crew. Sadly no medals were issued to the station for this fine work.

Hubert Leslie Wheeler (1896-1979)

Joined the RNLI in 1929 as District Inspector. 1939 Hubert rejoined the Royal Navy and commissioned as a Lieutenant Commander. 1940 he was ordered to proceed up the Channel to Dover. Over the next 10 days he commanded one of 26 yachts with Naval crews amongst 700 ships involved in the evacuation at Dunkirk. On D-Day Hubert was a Senior Naval Officer responsible for four ships. In 1945 he returned to the RNLI as District Inspector (Eastern Region), becoming Superintendent of the depot 1955.

Sheila Van Blend Northwood

My father was in the Merchant Marine in WW11.On the food convoys.He was 16yrs old.He said that Lifeboat men were true heros.He was torpedoed three times.He always said that after hours if being in icy raging seas waiting for help.Nothing could touch the feeling of relief.When a hand reached into the sea to you and a voice said.. I got you lad,your safe now.❤ God bless the hero's of the sea.

Colin Varrall

Having been a volunteer at Walmer lifeboat station for the past 20 years I have come across quite a few photographs and recollections of what took place at the station during WW2, and information about the Coxswains and crews before, during and after WW2.

Roger Cohen , Newhaven LOM

I have a C45 audio cassette, that features my father and two Newhaven Lifeboat Crew members - all of which are sadly no longer with us. My father served on a WW2 destroyer that went into Dunkirk Harbour three times and is documented in the attached link http://vandwdestroyerassociation.org.uk/HMS_Verity/index.html#George_Cohen Bob Holden and Wilfred Hills were associated with Newhaven LBS . The C45 cassette, I've yet to hear as I haven't the equipment. Do you have the necessary?

Wendy Page, Selsey

In June 1939 Selsey launched a new Lifeboat, the “Canadian Pacific”. War was declared on 3rd September 1939, fishing was restricted by mines and air attacks and the lifeboat maroons were banned. Selsey’s young crew, H. Lawrence, Arthur Keates, Eric Arnell, and Eric Woodland, were called up. Percy Fullick was killed early on. Leslie Pennycord, the coxswain, replaced them with old timers - Albert Pennycord, T. Pennycord, G. Arnell, Pop Fullick and James Lawrence, around 70 years old. Selsey Lifeboat launched many times to rescue airmen and sailors from our local waters, though liable to be machine-gunned. They were known for caring equally for German pilots they picked up. Selsey launched a record 15 times during the Battle of Britain. In 1944, the Lifeboat crew noticed activity on the beach towards Pagham. A huge jetty built on pontoons went out to where larger craft and structures, were moored. These were Mulberry Harbours. After VE day it was announced that, the 1939-1945 Star was awarded to Selsey lifeboat crew with 25 service launches during the war years - Leslie Pennicord, Arthur Fullick, Bert Pennicord, Doug Grant, Len Lawrence, and Ted Gray.

Sharon Gale, Wimborne Dorset

My great grandfather, James (Stumpy) Matthews, was awarded a bronze medal for the rescue of a man from Poole Quay in 1900. He volunteered with the Poole RNLI crew for 40 years including the 1930's and 40's. Their lifeboat, the Thomas Kirk Wright was taken in a flotilla to Ramsgate where the navy used her for the Dunkirk evacuation. I now volunteer at the Poole Old Lifeboat museum and recently helped spring clean the Thomas Kirk Wright. It was so special being on the deck where he had stood!

Pauline Cornick

My Grandfather Frank Lawrence took part in the evacuation of troops from France. The Yacht club was approached to help . Taking the Duchess of Normandy to rescue many and others in small boats rallied to help. The club was recognised for their bravery by being awarded a Battle honour which defaces the Red Ensign As Second Cox of the Howard D. Today our family are still involved with the RNLI His Great Granson Jonathan Cornick and other family members continue our tradition with the Charity.

Jess Curtis

Among these heroic efforts was a dramatic and harrowing rescue mission involving the lifeboats from Wells-next-the-Sea, Sheringham, and Cromer on the night of 18 December 1939. Three lifeboats were launched following reports that a Wellington bomber had ditched into the freezing waters of the North Sea near the Cromer Knoll sandbank. The aircraft had taken part in the Battle of Heligoland Bight, the first named air battle of the Second World War.

Adrian Dyde - Norfolk

Owe our Lives My sister and I owe our lives to the RNLI. Before we were born, our father, Mr E R H Dyde DFM, was a rear gunner in the RAF during WWII. Following a rescue after one such mission our father was able to return to active duty, completing two tours and 50 missions, one of a few rear gunners to survive the war. Our father always had a strong regard for the RNLI, which he instilled in us. Whenever the opportunity arose, he supported the RNLI, a tradition we continue.

Margate - the Parkers

The Margate coxswain Ted Parkers two sons were also at Dunkirk helping to evacuate soldiers but not as lifeboat crew. They did not know they were both there and ended up bumping into each other. Ted Parker Jnr was part of the Margate lifeboat crew himself.

Barnhill

20/3/1940 the Captain of 'Barnhill' and over 30 crew were rescued from the bombed ship by lifeboats at Eastbourne, Hastings and Newhaven. The captain wrote from hospital: The 2 life-boatmen, whosoever they may be, certainly showed grit,courage and determination to rescue a British captain from this burning vessel. I would be grateful should those men be decorated and I would be able to look back with pride to that night, as I was also trying to do my duty to King and Country that fateful night.