Casgliadau Arlein

Medal depicts scene of figure being rescued by three figures in boat.

Awarded to Thomas Rees for the rescue of four men from the Holyhead schooner Two Brothers at St Bride's Bay, Pembs, 5 January 1867.

Thomas Rees, a local man, was instrumental in rescuing the four men at Pointz Castle Farm, near Solva in St Bride’s Bay, after the boat in which they had put off from the schooner was itself wrecked.

‘(Voted) the silver medal of the Institution to Mr THOMAS M. REES, in acknowledgement of his gallant and skilful conduct in saving, at the risk of his life, by being lowered down some high cliffs, during the very dark and stormy night of the 5th Jan. last, 4 men from the schooner Two Brothers, of Holyhead, which was wrecked on the Pembrokeshire coast.’ (from The Life-Boat, July 1, 1867)

In 1862 a new obverse for the medal was approved, designed by L.C. Wyon and depicting the Society’s royal Patroness, Queen Victoria.

(Source: For those in Peril: Civil decorations and lifesaving awards at the National Museums & Galleries of Wales by Edward Besly)