Fleetwood RNLI joins Remembrance Service and reflects on station history

Many organisations, groups and figures were present for the Fleetwood Remembrance Service. This included ex-servicemen and women, HM Coastguard Fleetwood, and NCI Rossall Point.

The parade began at Adelaide Street, walking to the Memorial Park, with the service taking place at the war memorial. Volunteers at Fleetwood RNLI laid wreaths, to pay tribute to those who have died in both world wars and later conflicts.

Captain David Eccles, Fleetwood RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said:

'It was great to see so many people at the Remembrance Service today, including our volunteers from Fleetwood Lifeboat. It’s essential to reflect and remember the sacrifices of those who have fought for our lives and those who continue to protect us today.'

Fleetwood RNLI's War Years

Fleetwood lifeboat station is full of inspiring history and it’s important to reflect on the work of previous volunteers at the station. During the First World War, some of the younger members of Fleetwood lifeboat were called up to serve in the Royal Navy, leaving their station short of crew.

The Fleetwood Coxswain at the time, John Robert Leadbetter, wrote to the War Office, requesting his crew to be relieved from their war duties and allowed to return to serve on the lifeboat.

Two of Fleetwood's crew who were called up were allowed to return to Fleetwood, following Coxswain Leadbetter's request. The crew members were Jeffery Wright and James Leadbetter. Both were granted reserved occupation allowing them to return home and serve on the Fleetwood lifeboat. Both Jeffrey and James later became Coxswain.

During the First World War, Fleetwood lifeboat's only recorded service was on 25 October 1917. Fleetwood R.N.l.B. Maude Pickup was launched to rescue seven casualties from the Russian Barque Pittan, which had run aground in heavy seas. During the Second World War, Fleetwood lifeboat R.N.L.B. Ann Letitia Russell launched on service 12 times, three of these launches were to aid military aircraft.

Notes to Editors

• Fleetwood's RNLI All-Weather Lifeboat is named KENNETH JAMES PIERPOINT and is a Shannon class boat
• Fleetwood's RNLI Inshore Lifeboat is named HARBET and is a D-Class boat
• Photo Credit: RNLI/Rob Baines
• Fleetwood lifeboat station has been operating since 1859. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to:http://fleetwoodlifeboat.org.uk/

RNLI Media Contacts

For more information contact Amy Teebay, Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, via [email protected], David Devereux, Fleetwood RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 07591 675733 / [email protected] or Danielle Rush, RNLI Regional Media Manager on 07786 668829/ [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.