Aldeburgh History
Before an RNLI lifeboat station was established at Aldeburgh, four Silver Medals for Gallantry were awarded for rescues off the coast.
1851 An RNLI lifeboat station was established at Aldeburgh. A wooden lifeboat house was built.
1859 The lifeboat capsized on service in December with the loss of three of her crew of 15.
1891 Silver Medals were awarded to Coxswain James Cable and Second Coxswain W Mann for rescuing 17 people from the Norwegian barque Winnifred. The Norwegian Government also awarded medals to the crew.
1893 A second Silver Medal was awarded to Coxswain James Cable following three service calls on 20 November in violent gales.
1894 A Silver Medal was awarded to Bowman Charles Edward Ward when he retired.
1899 During a service in December the lifeboat capsized, trapping six of her crew underneath. The six crew died and a seventh man died later from his injuries. Acting Coxswain Charles Edward Ward was awarded a Silver Medal for the rescue of two of his comrades.
1900 A third Silver Medal was awarded to Coxswain James Cable for services to the vessels Hylton (15 February) and Antares (4 October).
1938 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain George Chatten for the rescue of four people from the barges Grecian and Astrild in November.
1939 The lifeboat Abdy Beauclerk carried out the first service of the Second World War on 10 September to the steamer Magdapur.
1940 The two Aldeburgh lifeboats were among the 19 lifeboats that took part in the evacuation from Dunkirk.
1972 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain Reuben Wood for the rescue of three crew from the fishing boat Ocean Pride. Motor Mechanic Nigel Saint was awarded the Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum for carrying out first aid on one of the crew.
1977 An inshore lifeboat, a D class, arrived in July.
A Bronze Medal was awarded to Helmsman John Marjoram for the rescue of a young boy from the yacht Spreety in August. Coxswain Reuben Wood was awarded a Framed Letter of Thanks.
1993 The Mersey class lifeboat arrived at the station.
1996 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain/Mechanic Ian Firman when three people were rescued from the yacht Red House Lugger.
1997 A new D class lifeboat Bob Savage arrived in June.
2000 A second Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain/Mechanic Ian Firman for the rescue of the crew of four from the yacht Rosebank on 28 May 2000.
2004 Framed Letters of Thanks were awarded to Coxswain Lee Firman and Crew Member David Cook when the lifeboat saved the two crew and the yacht Svea in very poor weather conditions.
Station honours
At Aldeburgh lifeboat station the following awards have been made:
Framed Letter of Thanks 3
Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum 1
Bronze Medal 5
Silver Medal 10
