Appledore History
From 1825 until 1919 there were three lifeboat stations at various times at Appledore, Northam and Braunton; the first lifeboat was kept at Badsteps in Appledore. Several boathouses were built and used over this period.
1855 The stations were taken over by the RNLI.
Over a period of 90 years (1829–1919) 21 Silver Medals were awarded for rescues to the many shipwrecks that occurred off the coast.
1919 The lifeboat station at Appledore became the main station.
1922 The station’s first motor lifeboat arrived.
1928 A Centenary Vellum was awarded to the station.
1935 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Second Coxswain GHE Pow for saving three men from the fishing vessel Lee Bay.
1944 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain Sidney Cann for rescuing seven crew from a concrete harbour unit 10 miles off Morte Point.
1950 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain Sidney Cann for a service to the steamer Monte Gurugu which sank south of Lundy Island on 12 November 1949. With Ilfracombe and Clovelly lifeboats they saved 24 people but 13 of the Monte Gurugu’s crew died.
1956 Robert Cann, aged 10, a great-nephew of Coxswain Sidney Cann, was presented with a watch for rescuing two boys.
1959 The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Coxswain Sidney Cann for a service to the Polish ship Gilwice.
1963 A Silver Medal was awarded to Coxswain Sidney Cann for a service to the RFA tanker Green Ranger off Hartland Point on 17–18 November 1962.
1964 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Second Coxswain John Richard Bowden for rescuing four crew from the yacht Volunteer.
1966 On 1 January the lifeboat took two doctors to Lundy Island to treat a seriously ill woman. Due to the conditions they were put ashore using the South Lighthouse stores hoist. Dr Brooke and Dr Ruddock were recognised in the Book of Valour of the British Medical Association.
1971 Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum were awarded to Dr DF Valentine and Crew Member John Pavitt for a service to an injured seaman on board the Manchester Merit. John Pavitt saved the doctor from being crushed as he was climbing aboard the vessel.
1972 An inshore B class Atlantic 21 lifeboat was sent to the station. This was kept in the 1889 boathouse.
1975 A celebration 150th anniversary Vellum was awarded to the station.
1986 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Helmsman John Pavitt for rescuing a windsurfer in very rough seas on 1 December 1985.
1988 The Tyne class lifeboat, ON1140- George Gibson, was placed on service.
1995 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain Michael Bowden for rescuing the crew of the fishing vessel Torridge Warrior close to Bideford Bar buoy on 31 March 1994.
1997 A new Atlantic 75 lifeboat, B-742 Douglas Paley, was placed on service on 11 December.
2001 A new boathouse and slipway were completed.
2005 Helmsman Gary Stanbury was awarded the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's Bronze Medal for Gallantry after saving three people from a stranded powerboat Kasam. Crew Members Andrew Hallet and Martin Davis received Medal Service Badges and Certificates.
Station honours
At Appledore lifeboat station the following awards have been made:
Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum 3
Bronze Medal 7
Silver Medal 22
*Not included in the table of awards.
