Holyhead History
1828 The first lifeboat was placed on station.
During the first 100 years Holyhead has had one, two and, for a short time, three lifeboats at the station. Three Gold Medals, 29 Silver Medals and 15 Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum were awarded over this time to lifeboat crews for rescues to the many wrecks in storms off the coast.
The lifeboat crews also met with tragedy during this time. Seven lifeboat crew died during four rescues (1865, 1892, 1901 and 1905).
1855 The RNLI took over the lifeboat station.
1928 A Centenary Vellum was awarded to the station.
The station’s first motor lifeboat arrived.
1943 Bronze Medals were awarded to Coxswain Richard Jones and Motor Mechanic John Jones for rescuing 47 men from the steamer Castilian.
1949 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain Richard Jones for rescuing the seven crew of the steamer Mayflower.
A new boathouse and slipway were built on Salt Island.
1954 The Sugar Manufacturer’s Association (of Jamaica) Ltd awarded a case of rum to the Holyhead lifeboat crew for carrying out the longest continuous service (24 hours) during the winter months of 1953–4.
1967 A Gold Medal was awarded to Inspector of Lifeboats Lieut Commander HH Harvey; Silver Medals to Coxswain Thomas Alcock and Motor Mechanic Eric Jones and Bronze Medals to Second Coxswain William Jones, Acting Bowman Francis Ward, Acting Assistant Mechanic Jack Sharpe, Crew Members John Hughes, David Drinkwater and Brian Stewart for rescuing five crew from the steamer Nafsiporos on 2 December 1966.
An inshore lifeboat (ILB) station was established at Holyhead with a D class lifeboat.
1971 Bronze Medals were awarded to Mechanic D Forrest and Crew Members Gareth Ogwen-Jones and John Hughes for rescuing four men, three of them unconscious from carbon monoxide poisoning, from the yacht Sinbad.
1977 A Silver Medal was awarded to Coxswain William Jones for rescuing four crew from the yacht Pastime in difficulties in a violent storm on 11 September 1976. Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum were awarded to each of the six crew.
1978 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain William Jones for rescuing one person from the yacht Gika in difficulties in a gale and very rough seas on 4 September 1977.
The station was presented with a 150th Anniversary Vellum.
1987 The boathouse was extended for the D class lifeboat and launching trolley.
1990 A crew room was built.
1996 The D class lifeboat, D-507 Spirit of Bedworth and Nuneaton, was placed on service on 21 August.
1998 The Arun class lifeboat, ON-1123 Kenneth Thelwall, was placed on service on 17 September and was kept on permanent moorings at the western end of the harbour.
2000 Improved crew facilities were completed in the boathouse.
2003 A new Severn class lifeboat, ON-1272 Christopher Pearce, replaced the Arun class lifeboat. She was placed on service on 21 December.
Station honours
At Holyhead lifeboat station the following awards have been made:
Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum 21
Bronze Medal 13
Silver Medal 32
Gold Medal 4
