Special Tribute Celebrates Community’s Courage

This year the RNLI is marking a milestone 200th anniversary to acknowledge the remarkable bravery of dedicated crews and volunteers who have saved over 144,000 lives across the UK.

The rescue of around three hundred of these precious lives is attributed to the compassionate and courageous community at Hauxley on the Northumberland coast.

Here poignant tales of fortitude in adversity have been commemorated in a special exhibition about the history of the Hauxley Lifeboat Service.

Playing formative roles in the crucial service, which operated from 1852 to 1939, are former generations of fishermen from the family of villager Francis Irene Liddle, aged 86.

Endearingly known to everyone as Irene, the inspirational octogenarian has lovingly and painstakingly pieced together photographs and information and hosted the exhibition in the village hall.

The presentation reveals a fascinating insight into the challenging lives and times of the community for whom mining and fishing were the key means of survival.

Information boards relay heartfelt stories of crew members including Irene’s great uncle Andrew Oliver, a second coxswain for 25 years, who was awarded a silver medal for long service in 1899.

The caring community also suffered personal tragedies. Irene’s grandfather, also called Andrew, served as second coxswain from 1922 to 1929 when he took the place of the coxswain who tragically drowned in a rescue attempt along with one of his own sons.

Said Irene: “I am immensely proud of my ancestors and their incredible bravery in rescuing so many people in dangerous conditions. Their achievements reflect the strong sense of community bonds and caring neighbours who continued to risk their own lives to help those in need.”

The exhibition makes inspirational reading of what crews and volunteers were up against during their rescue missions.

Stories include how, in January 1854, raging easterly gales resulted in twelve shipwrecks from vessels blown off course. Over the course of a day, valliant lifeboat volunteers heroically rescued six crew from a ship transporting coal along with a crew from another shipwrecked vessel which was also carrying coal.

Teamwork and pulling together - literally - saw villagers launch the lifeboat. In particularly bad weather, heavy horses called Clydesdales were needed to take it to a suitable launching point. Women were often called on to haul the lifeboat back to the station.

In 1939 Hauxley lifeboat station closed its doors after eighty seven years of inspirational service. Irene’s insightful exhibition in which she has been assisted by neighbours including Andy Wilkinson, has enabled more people to cherish the precious history and fortitude of those who had little but gave everything.

Since being re-established in 1939, the lifeboat station has been based at Amble harbour. It has two lifeboats and its crew have been presented with eighteen awards for gallantry.

Operating a 24 hour search and rescue service from 238 lifeboat stations around the UK, the RNLI, continues to hold a series of events throughout its bi-centenary year.

For more information visit https://rnli.org/about-us/our-history/2024/programmes. You can make a donation to help them continue their vital work via this link Donate to the RNLI and help save lives at sea.