Original B&W Postcard - Cullercoats Fisher Folk posed with Coxswain Robert Smith, Tynemouth Lifeboat, RNLI

Postcard in very good condition with pencil comments to reverse.

Awarded the RNLI's gold medal in 1916 and two silver medals in 1913 and 1914 respectively for daring and dramtic rescues including saving 50 crew from the stricken war service hospital ship HMHS Rohilla ( British India Steam Navigation Company). There is a wonderful photo of him leaving Buckingham Palace in 1924 where he was presented with the Empire Gallantry Medal by King George V (this medal was replaced by the George Cross in 1942). Known locally as Coxswain Smith VC, on account his medals and daring deeds in extreme weather, sometimes 45 - 50 miles away from his lifeboat base at Tynemouth, Northumberland. See Barry Cox's wonderful book 'Lifeboat Gallantry" for more photos of him and this three medal citations (this book is also available for purchase from my site, and it is a great read and very well researched book).

See the following URL for more information:

http://www.eskside.co.uk/ss_rohilla/robert_smith.htm

Code: 55581