United Kingdom. A Lifeboat Gallantry - The Complete Record Of Royal National Lifeboat Institution Gallantry Medals

Hardcover, cobalt blue cloth cover, missing its dust jacket, entitled "Lifeboat Gallantry - The Complete Record of Royal National Lifeboat Institution Gallantry Medals and how they were won 1824-1996", edited by Barry Cox, Honorary Librarian, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), copyrighted by Spink & Son Ltd. and the RNLI, published by Spink & Son Ltd. of London in 1998, printed and bound in Great Britain by Butler & Tanner Ltd. of Frome and London, ISBN 0 907605 89 3. It begins with a Foreword by Lieutenant Commander Brian Miles, CBE RD FNI CIMgt RNR, Director and Secretary RNLI, stating the history of the organization and explaining the premise of the book: "The founding of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1824 saw the establishment of the first national voluntary organization dedicated to the saving of lives from disaster at sea. The continuing saga of bravery and endurance shown by lifeboat crews and others in rescuing their fellows from certain death is one which excites admiration from people in all walks of life, whether they are connected with the sea or not. This book lists those men and women whose endeavours have been recognized by the award of one of the Institution's medals. These represent but a few of the thousands of volunteers who, since 1824, have risked their lives to save others. This unselfish service is worthy of the highest praise. Men and women still today give of their time and energies at lifeboat stations around our coasts, and their courage and dedication an example to all. Together with those who work at lifeboat stations ashore and backed up by our supporters throughout the country, they provide a service second to none. Long may it continue." Since its foundation on March 4, 1824 and up to December 31, 1996, the RNLI has awarded: 118 Gold Medals, 1,548 Silver Medals and 760 Bronze Medals (from 1917 only). The Foreword is followed by an Introduction and The Medals of the RNLI. The next 398 pages, make up the bulk of the book and is entitled A List of Medal Recipients in Date Order of Service (1824-1996), each notation stating the name of the individual(s), the ship they were attached to (if applicable), the grade of the RNLI medal issued, the date, location and circumstances of the incident itself that allowed for the award, interspersed with a few line drawings. One thing that becomes clear is the variation in length and details of actions that were rewarded with awards: some descriptions are sparse with little detail, while others are vivid and truly impressive. But behind it all is the astonishing bravery exhibited by people, volunteers, who cared whether those at sea and in danger of death, lived or died. The next three pages list recipients of Honorary Medals (1824-1996), followed by thirty-six pages of Plates illustrating photographs and line drawings of various recipients, many of which are wearing their medals, the last page of which illustrates seven medals of the RNLI, two showing obverses, the other five featuring reverses with the busts of King George IV (1824-1862), Queen Victoria (1862-1903), King Edward VII (1903-1912), King George V (1912-1937) and Sir William Hillary (1937 to date). It concludes with four Appendices (Main Types and Variations in RNLI Medal Design; Current Lifeboat Stations as at 31 December 1996; Closed Lifeboat Stations; Closed Lifeboat Stations Operated by Organisations Other than the RNLI), three Indexes (Index of Medal Awards; Index of Lifeboats Involved in Medal Services; Index to Shore Boat Services) and Medal Awards 1997. The book contains 476 pages of text, along with multiple pages of black and white photographs and line illustrations, printed in black ink, on a satin-finished white paper stock, weighing 2 kilograms, measuring 195 mm (w) x 290 mm (h) x 32 mm (d). It exhibits a small dent along the bottom edge of the front cover and pinching of the lower corners on the front and back covers, as well as missing its dust jacket. For the researcher keen on gathering the official facts about the circumstances under which the Royal National Lifeboat Institution has awarded medals, this compilation is invaluable. Near extremely fine.

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