Americans Discover St Davids Lifeboat Pt 2

As the beginning was cut off this film I do not know the title however here are a few things I have noted. The film concerns an American couple Julius and Joan Evans from California and their visit to St Davids in Wales, England. Julius Evans is listed on the net as a writer/producer/actor b. 1907. d.1981.

As well as various shots around the town the film includes interviews with coxswain at the time Dai Lewis, retired Coxswain Watts Williams and Hon sec. Dr J Soar.
In 1943 Bronze Medals were awarded to Honorary Secretary Dr Joseph Soar and Crew Member Gwilym Davies for rescuing a man trapped on the cliffs near Llanunwas on 28 February. In 1963 a second Watson class lifeboat was stationed at St Davids. The RNLB Joseph Soar (ON 971) was donated by the Civil Service Lifeboat Fund (No 34) and named after the long-serving St Davids station Honorary Secretary. She cost some £40,000. The RNLB Joseph Soar was a 47 Watson class wooden hulled lifeboat with wheelhouse and forward and aft cabins. She was powered by twin Gardener diesel engines at a top speed of about 8 knots with a range of 300 nautical miles. The lifeboat launched on 99 occasions and saved 45 lives
In 1955 a Silver Medal was awarded to Coxswain William Watts Williams, for rescuing 35 people from the tanker World Concord, which broke in two during exceptional storms on 27 November 1954.

1956 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain Dai Lewis for rescuing eight crew from the French trawler Notre Dame de Fatima.

At one point one of the interviewees refers to a crew member who was lost during a service. I suspect this was Ieuan Bateman who was lost in 1956 so the film must be late 1950s or very early 1960s.

Shots are also seen of second coxswain at the time William Morris. In 1978 a Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain William Morris for rescuing seven crew and saving the Royal Naval tender MFV 7. William died on the 12th November 2009 aged 89 years.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• St
• davids
• Lifeboat
• RNLI

[Heliona81]

I can say that it was definitely Ieuan Bateman that was lost. St Davids has only ever lost one crewman, and sadly it was him. From what I can see of the footage, it all appears to be "Swn Y Mor" ("Joseph Soar" had a metal superstructure.) to it would have to have been filmed before 1963.

Lovely footage.

Helen Scott

[coxwain255]

lovly footage chap!