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Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea Medal: The Royal National Lifeboat In…
Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea Medal: The Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea Medal: The Royal National Lifeboat In…
Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea Medal: The Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea Medal: The Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Associated (Frogmore House, Windsor, England, 1900 - 1979)
DateMay 2004
Object NameMedal
MediumSterling Silver
ClassificationsMedals
AcquisitionPresented in 2004 by Dr Joan M Burrell.
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS072500.44
About MeThe first nationally organised sea rescue service in the world was founded by Sir William Hillary in 1824. By 1974, the year of its 150th anniversary, it had been the means of saving nearly 100,000 lives.

Besides his initiative in founding the Institution, which is run on a voluntary basis and has been guided by his principles ever since, Hillary himself took a very active part in rescue. He three times won the Institution's gold medal, its highest award for gallantry, a record unequalled until Henry Blogg of Cromer, who is considered to have been the outstanding lifeboat coxwain of all time, emulated his achievement during the course of the present century.

In Hillary' s day, and for decades to come, lifeboats were of the pulling and sailing type. Hillary forecast that steam lifeboats would one day be in use. They duly appeared, to be succeeded by petrol and diesel types long familiar round the coasts of the British Isles. During recent years the larger lifeboats have been supplemented by fast inshore lifeboats which have made many fine rescues.

The work of the Institution's coxwains and crews depends upon the ceaseless work of fund raising. Its example has been followed by many countries, and it acts as the Secretariat for lifeboat societies throughout the world.

The Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea, John Pinches Medallists Ltd.