Berwick-upon-Tweed RNLI mourn the loss of their Educational Visits Officer

Billy joined the RNLI in 2001 as part of the Launch Crew, where he served until he had to retire at the age of 65 from the post. From there he went on to become part of the Deputy Launching Authority up until he was 70.

Not willing to give up serving the charity, he then became the compere on Lifeboat Fete Day, Boat House Manager and Educational Visits Officer. It was in this role along with Press and Educational Officer Hazel Bettison, that they did a double act educating members of the public on the work of the RNLI, with Billy pressing home the importance of Health and Safety whilst going out in the Berwick estuary, to sea or when visiting the beach.

It was due to a tragic accident that happened on Spittal beach, just along from Berwick Lifeboat Station that Billy then became a great supporter of the work the RNLI did in saving lives at sea.

Fifty-four years ago in August 1966 Billy was a fisherman and was with his colleagues fishing for salmon when tragedy struck.

A Sunday school trip had come from Leitholm to the beach for the day. Weather conditions were perfect that day, some of the children had followed a sandbank about 90 meters away from the beach and were playing knee deep in the water. Unbeknown to the children, the river Tweed doesn’t rise an inch at a time but it comes bursting out in spate from Tweedmouth and it was also an ebb tide. Due to this the children became marooned.

After someone raised the alarm, all the fishermen, along with the RNLI, tried to rescue the children. Two of the boys were rescued and survived, unfortunately another three boys perished. This tragedy Billy never forgot, after having recovered one of the boy’s bodies from the sea. He would relate this story, to get the message across how dangerous the water can be, and people should always take care, when on the water or at the beach.

RNL Lifeboat Station Manager, Brian Cowan said: ‘Billy was a much loved and respected member of our station. All at Berwick-upon-Tweed Lifeboat station send their sincere condolences to Billy’s wife Sybil, Kevin and his family, plus Billy’s daughter Sharon and her family.’

RNLI Picture caption

A photograph of Billy Knox. Credit: RNLI.

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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.

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