RNLI Bude : Lifeboat crew honour Dr David Giles Wish
RNLI Bude : Lifeboat crew honour Dr David Giles Wish
Lifeboats News Release
On Sunday 6th October Bude volunteer lifeboat crew were honoured to assist the family of the late Dr David Giles by scattering his ashes at sea from the lifeboat.
Phil Conran
Bude lifeboat crew heading out to honour the wishes of Dr Giles
Dr David Giles had a long association with Bude Lifeboat and dedicated his time and expertise to assisting the RNLI and helping save lives at sea. In May 1966 the inshore lifeboat station at Bude was established with the placing on service of a D class lifeboat. Dr Giles was not only a volunteer member of this original lifeboat crew but he went on to become the Honorary Medical Adviser until 2002 and was also Chairman of the Branch. He is credited with being instrumental in recruiting many local people into the crew. As well as his connection to Bude lifeboat Dr Giles was a well liked and much respected family GP.
Dr Giles' family were invited to the lifeboat station for tea, biscuits and a chat with the lifeboat crew along with Branch Chairman, Paul Finn and Branch President, Chris Cloke, before making their way to the cliff above Summerleaze beach. Although the weather was bright there was a fresh breeze and Bude's D-class lifeboat George Bird was launched into big surf for the ceremony.
A short reading by Mark Palmer, on board the RNLI lifeboat, was given over the radio so that Dr Giles' family and the crew at the lifeboat station could hear, before the volunteer crew fulfilled Dr Giles wish for his ashes to be scattered into the sea.
Lifeboat Operations Manager, Chris Wilson said: 'We are incredibly grateful for all David's support, hard work and dedication to Bude Lifeboat Station over the years. He will be sadly missed but not forgotten. We are proud to have been able to help David's family fulfil his wish.'
Phil Conran
Bude lifeboat heading on Sunday 6th September 2019
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
