Reward offered for stolen RNLI coxswain's bravery medal
A reward has been offered in return for a missing gold medal for bravery awarded posthumously to the coxswain of an RNLI lifeboat which appears to have been stolen in August.
The gold gallantry medal, which is the highest award for bravery issued by the RNLI, was awarded posthumously to William Trevelyan Richards, who died during the Penlee Lifeboat Disaster of 1981.
Eight volunteer crew members were on board the Solomon Browne. It sank after going to the aid of the coaster Union Star on the night of 19 December 1981.
All eight volunteer crew members were lost in the disaster, and the whole crew were awarded gallantry medals by the RNLI in recognition of their selfless bravery and sacrifice.
The medal was discovered to be missing from the RNLI’s head office earlier this year and despite an extensive search and Police investigation, has not been found.
Determined that it should be returned safely the charity is now launching a fresh appeal for any information, with the help a £1,000 reward, which has been donated by a long term RNLI supporter specifically for this purpose.
The gold gallantry medal has been compared to the UK’s Victoria Cross in its significance and recognition.