The Collection of Life Saving Awards formed by The Late W.H. Fevyer

A R.N.L.I. pair awarded to Ronald Sayers, Assistant Mechanic, Humber Lifeboat, late Lance-Corporal, Royal Green Jackets

General Service 1962, 1 clasp, Borneo (23218349 L/Cpl. R. Sayers, 2 RGJ); Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Sir William Hillary, bronze (Ronald Sayers - Voted 29th March 1979) with uniface ‘double dolphin’ suspension, in case of issue, nearly extremely fine (2) £450-550

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Life Saving Awards formed by The Late W.H. Fevyer.

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Ref. Spink Exhibition 1985, No. 75.

‘14 February 1979: The Arun class lifeboat City of Bradford IV slipped her moorings at 0.15 a.m. and headed towards the Panamanian M.V. Revi, sinking slowly 30 miles north-east of Spurn light vessel in a north-easterly storm, very heavy seas and snow storms. When she arrived at the casualty, Coxswain Bevan took her alongside 35 times before all four men were taken off. The last survivor - the Captain - was still on board when the lifeboat narrowly escaped disaster as a massive wave caused the motor vessel to smack down beside her. Coxswain Bevan rammed the throttles full astern, and the Arun’s power pulled her clear by only a matter of inches. The Captain was then recovered from the stern rails, and the survivors were landed at Grimsby at 5 a.m.’ (Ref. Lifeboat Gallantry, by Barry Cox).

For this rescue Coxswain Bevan of the Humber Lifeboat was awarded the R.N.L.I. Medal in Gold; the seven crew members were each awarded the Medal in Bronze. Sold with copied details of the rescue and a group photograph of the crew.