Long forgotten film about Clacton on Sea lifeboat recently rediscovered
A long-forgotten film from 1964 about the crew of the Clacton on Sea Lifeboat Sir Godfrey Baring has recently been rediscovered by Linda White Jarvis a member of a Facebook local history group (Clacton Newspaper Clippings, Maps and Photos).
The film titled ‘Nine Men and a Boat’ was made by members of the Clacton Cine Club, and found in the British Film Institute archives. The film follows the normal lives of the crew until they are called to launch the lifeboat.
The making of the film had only recently come up in conversation between a current member of the crew Tristen Welham and the daughters of the coxswain George Ellis, featured in the film. They had recollections of a film being made of the crew, but with more than 50 years having passed could not give any detail.
The film lasts for approximately twenty minutes, showing the crew of the Sir Godfrey Baring on a simulated service as well as showing them in their normal lives. One was a dustman and another was a pig farmer. There was even a bank manager along with a pigeon fancier.
By using the link below you can watch the film in full:
https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-nine-men-and-a-boat-1964-online
Even though the boats and equipment have changed in the 53 years since the film was made, the dedication and willingness of the volunteer crew to launch 365 days a year to help anyone in need on the sea has not changed.
RNLI media contacts
- Richard Wigley, Lifeboat Press Officer, Clacton RNLI: 07903 424698
- Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Media Officer, North East and East: 07824 518641
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
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