Sea bravery medal goes to museum

A rare sea gallantry medal awarded posthumously to a coastguard who died in a rescue bid for a stricken Royal Navy landing craft in World War II was presented to the National Museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, yesterday.

Robert Treadwell was one of two coastguards who lost their lives when the vessel was swept on to Chesil Beach, Dorset, in a force nine gale on October 13, 1944.

The 35-year-old former RN signalman took part in the dramatic rescue effort which involved attempting to get rescue lines to the boat in awful conditions.

Coastguardsman Treadwell and another officer, Commander Legh, were swept out to sea and drowned.

The remaining three coastguards were able to rescue four of the crew but nine died.

The silver medal was awarded to Mr Treadwell after his death.

The medal collection and research material, compiled by coastguard watch assistant Phillip Chappell, was handed over to the museum by Mr Treadwell’s stepson, Raymond Morris, at a ceremony attended by the chief executive officer of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Vice Admiral Sir Alan Massey.

Describing the rescue, a museum spokesman said: “On 13th October 1944, the landing craft was caught in a force nine gale while en-route from Dartmouth to Portland. Her engine failed and despite attempts to anchor, the vessel was swept on to the shingle bank at Chesil Beach, Dorset, where her back was broken.

“The local Coastguard Rocket Lifesaving Company, from Wyke Regis, were quickly at the scene and managed to get lines on to the vessel, but 11 of the crew were washed overboard by the 30ft waves together with the lines.

“Two coastguard officers, Commander Legh, coastguard inspector of the Southern Division, and ­­­Coastguardsman Treadwell ran into the surf in an attempt to pass the lines by hand but both were swept away and drowned.

“A further attempt was made by another three coastguards who were swept back ashore.

“In an amazing feat of endurance, Auxiliary Coastguard George Brown stayed in the surf for over 30 minutes and managed to get aboard and pass the lines to the two remaining crew.

“He and one of the crew were hauled ashore but the remaining line broke before the final crewman could be rescued.

“Albert Oldfield, another auxiliary coastguard, succeeded in passing a line to him and he was subsequently saved.

“Nine of the 13 Royal Navy crew, made up of two officers and 11 ratings, had died along with two coastguard officers assisting the rescue party ashore. Only four survivors remained.”

Mr Treadwell, who was buried at the RN cemetery on Portland, served as a signalman from 1925 and after completing his service on his 30th birthday, joined the coastguard.