Britain's unsung heroes at sea

The Royal National Lifeguard Institution (RNLI) has been keeping the UK’s coastlines safe since 1824, with volunteers putting their lives at risk throughout a 200-year period and some of British history’s most important events.  

 Entering 2026, the institution is celebrating the 25^th anniversary of their lifeguarding service that was set up in 2001 as well as the launch of the Stories of Courage project which showcases the selfless work of those who helped save lives at sea during the Second World War. The Poole-based project has been launched on the 15^th of January and will run for six weeks, finishing on the 28^th of February. It includes Make Do and Mend workshops, meets and greets with RNLI crew members, hands on history drop-ins and a walking tour through Poole. The project is aimed at spreading awareness to people in the town where the institution is based.  

Engaging with the local community helps to raise awareness about the institution’s lifeguard service. Across the UK and Channel Islands, RNLI lifeguards have kept 250 beaches safe and have helped to save the lives of over 2,000 people whilst responding to hundreds of thousands of incidents. The work done by the lifeguarding services is not only saving lives but preventing danger through educating people of all ages about how to stay safe in the water, signal for help and perform first aid for those who need it.  

The RNLI’s work throughout Britain’s darkest hours is not to be underestimated. Volunteers bravely put their lives at risk during key military operations in the Second World War; helping rescue pilots stranded in the sea during the battle of Britain. Regardless of if they were friend or foe.  

In perhaps one of the most astonishing events in British history, the RNLI played a crucial role in helping over 300,000 allied soldiers to evacuate Dunkirk in 1940.  

The Thomas Kirk Wright was one of the 19 RNLI boats sent to Dover to take part in the evacuation codenamed Operation Dynamo. The vessel is currently being displayed in the Poole Old Lifeboat Museum. The heroic actions of the volunteer crew members helped save over 3,000 soldiers during the evacuation and served as an inspiration for generations of volunteers to come.  

David Richmond-Coggan, the RNLI Fundraising Volunteer Branch Chairman, has been a volunteer for 21 years. His father-in-law, who served in the Royal Navy on a minesweeper boat was rescued by a RNLI Margate lifeboat during the Second World War. David, after reflecting upon his marriage and his family, he realised “This was all thanks to the RNLI.”  

After he retired, David felt inspired to sign up as a volunteer to help to raise funds and awareness about the impact of the charity’s work in the local community. David’s work raising awareness for and fundraising for the RNLI has helped to connect people of all ages to the institution. His work has led to the creation of the RNLI society at Bournemouth University and earned him a British Empire Medal for his contributions to maritime safety. David explained how he is motivated by his gratitude and love for his family.  

Volunteers like David were invited to the opening of the Stories of Courage project at the Lighthouse Arts and Entertainment centre in Poole beginning with an exhibition that features paintings showcasing RNLI in action saving lives at sea as well. It also displays several artifacts such as a signal light and compass that made their way across the channel to Dunkirk during the Second World War. The Heritage Officer and organiser of the project Alison Hulme said the RNLI “hope that local visitors will come and reflect on the people that lived on the streets that they regularly walk.”  

 The exhibition has given the chance for those with familiar connections with the RNLI to help share their stories with the community. Volunteers from the Poole community were also invited as well as those whose lives have been saved at sea. People in the local community have also been encouraged to send in stories about how their lives have been impacted by the work of the RNLI.  

Sharon Gale is a museum volunteer with close links to the institution. Her great grandfather joined the RNLI as a young man and became a bowman that helped to evacuate troops in Operation Dynamo. Sharon has helped contribute to the exhibition and is eager for her family’s story to be shared with members of the local community.

"I'm hoping I can tell people who come to the exhibition a little bit about it."
 

Both the RNLI and the Lighthouse centre are enthusiastic for more people in the local community to both share their stories and engage with the project. Nyah Boston-Shears the Creative Engagement Producer at the Lighthouse centre explained why the exhibition will start conversations in the community about its RNLI heritage moving forward.  

 “This is about reflecting but also looking forward, what I loved about this exhibition is that they [the RNLI] were already thinking about engaging with the people here and now…looking at the hyperlocal.”  

Nyah expressed how encouraging the positive impact of the project’s launch has been, as stories about the RNLI’s work are shared not just by the institution itself but also by those attending the exhibitions opening.  

The Stories of Courage project’s impact is expected to have a national impact as well as a local one as RNLI Heritage Officer Alison Hulme explained:  

“We see the Second World War stories as a heritage at risk, it’s over 80 years since the Second World War… there’s so many people involved that did incredible things and we want to make sure that that is celebrated and remembered and not lost in memories between generations.”  

Being able to tell human stories from personal perspectives about the RNLI’s work serves as a reminder of the institutions tireless work serving past generations and generations to come.