Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare R.N.L.I. silver miniature dress medal with ‘Second Service’ bar named to William M. Preston Esq., Treasurer and Hon. Secretary, Anglesey R.N.L.I., for gallant services in the Penmon lifeboat when attending rescues in 1890 and 1892
Royal National Lifeboat Institution, V.R., silver (William M. Preston Esq. Voted 13th November 1890) with ‘Second Service’ bar, the reverse dated ‘12th Jany. 1893’, with dolphin suspension, very fine £140-£180

R.N.L.I. Silver Medal awarded to William M. Preston, Treasurer and Honorary Secretary, Anglesey R.N.L.I., jointly with Robert Roberts, Coxswain, Penmon Lifeboat:

‘7 November 1890: Awarded to Mr Preston ‘in acknowledgement of his general gallant services in saving life from shipwreck’ and to Mr Roberts ‘in recognition of his long and good services i the lifeboat extending over a period of thirty-four years.’

Both awards were made particularly for the help given to the wreck of the Plymouth schooner Undaunted on the Dutchman’s Bank, near Penmaenmawr. The Penmon self-righting lifeboat Christopher Brown, already at sea, having launched on an earlier service, made for the schooner through mountainous, confused seas in shoal water. She took off five men from the schooner in spite of the mass of broken water around her. On her way back, the lifeboat was struck by an exceptionally heavy wave and capsized. Her mast struck the sand and broke off. When she righted, her crew and the rescued men got back in, but were helpless witghout their gear and oars. The lifeboat was swept on to the Lavan Sands in Conway Bay, half keeled over in the surf. With the anchor laid out, they made their way across the sands to Aber and thence by road to Penmon. Next day they were able to recover their boat. Mr Preston was present in the lifeboat during this service.’

‘Second Service’ silver Bar, 12 January 1893, to William M. Preston, Treasurer and Honorary Secretary, Penmon R.N.L.I., jointly with Robert Roberts, Coxswain, Penmon Lifeboat:

‘9 December 1892: In a moderate north-east gale and a rough sea, the Dublin schooner James and Mary, laden with coal from Preston to Wicklow, struck on the Beacon Rock, near Penmon, Anglesey. The lifeboat Christopher Brown put out at 6.30 a.m. Reaching a position nearby, the lifeboat let go her anchor and veered down to the wreck, braving rocks in a very heavy sea which was breaking over the wreck. With Mr Preston aboard, Mr Roberts manoeuvred alongside the schooner and tookmoff the Master, his wife, three children and the three man crew.’