VE Day: RNLI remembers WWII Courage from Wells, Sheringham and Cromer Crews
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day as it remembers its heroic crew and the part they played in the Second World War.
The RNLI played vital role in the war effort, with lifeboats launching 3,760 times, coming to the aid of those in need from ships and aeroplanes, saving a total of 6,376 lives.
The RNLI was recently awarded a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to research and share stories of courage from the Second World War. The project, called RNLI 1939-45: Stories of Courage explores and commemorates the charity's Second World War story. The RNLI is looking for more stories of courage.
Among these heroic efforts was a dramatic and harrowing rescue mission involving the lifeboats from Wells-next-the-Sea, Sheringham, and Cromer on the night of 18 December 1939.
Three lifeboats were launched following reports that a Wellington bomber had ditched into the freezing waters of the North Sea near the Cromer Knoll sandbank. The aircraft had taken part in the Battle of Heligoland Bight, the first named air battle of the Second World War. It was forced to ditch after being shot up in the air battle and losing all its fuel. Despite the joint efforts of the RNLI crews, battling icy conditions and darkness, no casualties were recovered that night.
Wells RNLI lifeboat, under the command of Coxswain T. Nielsen, responded promptly after receiving the alert. In his report, Nielsen recalled, ‘Wells Coastguard phoned me at 10.24pm informing me that an aircraft was in the sea between Cromer and Holkham Bay. The Honorary Secretary was unavailable, so in accordance with our arrangement, I decided not to proceed immediately as suggested, but instead began assembling the crew.’
Nielsen described how he alerted the crew and launched the lifeboat, making contact with Sheringham’s lifeboat around 1.00am and Cromer’s shortly after. ‘Cromer Coxswain asked me to stand by while he sought further information by wireless,’ he wrote. The RAF’s Bircham Newton command later advised that the search continue at daylight.
One member of that wartime crew, W.G. Cooper, is remembered not only for his service that night but as the grandfather of Kent Cooper, who today continues the family tradition as a crew member with Wells RNLI.
Kent Cooper, RNLI crew member, Wells-next-the-Sea explained: ‘Attending the RAF memorial at Runnymede on 18th December 2019 was a deeply personal moment for me. I was proud to represent the RNLI and honour my grandfather, W.G. Cooper, who served on the Wells lifeboat during the search for the downed Wellington bomber in 1939. He never spoke much about that night, but standing there 80 years later, I felt the weight of their sacrifice and the bond between the lifeboat crews and the airmen they tried so hard to save. It’s a legacy I’m honoured to continue.’
The Wells lifeboat returned to refuel at 9am on the 19 December before resuming the search westward, from Holkham Bay to Cromer. Despite thorough efforts, no trace of the aircraft’s crew was found.
A note from the Wells Coastguard, dated 19 December 1939, recorded that the Officer in Charge of Fighter Command had expressed gratitude, stating that he ‘thanked the Wells Lifeboat for its services.’
As we mark VE Day, the RNLI honours the courage, determination, and selflessness of all those who stood ready to save lives at sea—no matter the danger, and regardless of war. Hayley Whiting, RNLI Heritage Archive and Research Manager, says: ‘As we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, it’s an important time to reflect on the valiant work of our volunteer crews during the Second World War and the courage and determination they used to save lives at sea.
‘The RNLI has a rich history and has been saving lives at sea for over 200 years, it played a vital role in the Second World War and saved a total of 6,376 lives. We know there are more stories from the Second World War connected to the RNLI that are yet to be discovered, we want to find them now, before it’s too late.’
Stuart McLeod, Director of England - London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We’re proud to be supporting this important RNLI project to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, thanks to National Lottery players. Collecting these stories of courage and heroism will not only mean that they are safeguarded for the future but that they can be heard for generations to come.”
The RNLI was awarded a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to research and share stories of courage from the Second World War. The project, called RNLI 1939-45: Stories of Courage explores, commemorates the charity's Second World War story. Please email [email protected] if you have a story you would like to share.
Notes to editors
The attack on German naval targets off the coast of Heligoland involved 22 Wellington bombers from RAF Bomber Command. The Luftwaffe’s swift and devastating counterattack resulted in the loss of 12 aircraft and 57 airmen, a sobering outcome that led to a major tactical shift in RAF strategy. As a direct result of this costly operation, Bomber Command abandoned large-scale daylight bombing raids, transitioning instead to nighttime operations for the remainder of the war.
· Please contact us if you are interested in setting up an with the spokespeople quoted in this release
· Visits can be arranged to see and photograph the Thomas Kirk Wright lifeboat which went from Poole to Dunkirk, it is housed at Poole Quay Lifeboat Museum
· Visits can be arranged to the RNLI achieve in Poole where various war time memorabilia can be seen and photographed which include:
o A signal lamp from a Dunkirk ship with a bullet hole
o A Brodie helmet
o War time era kit
o War time service records
RNLI media contacts
For further information contact Jess Curtis, RNLI Media Engagement placement North and East. Volunteer Press Officer Wells RNLI on 07483488243 or [email protected] or Becky Cheers [email protected] or the RNLI press office on 01202 336789 / [email protected].
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.