Coastguards Gallantry Medal Gets New Home

26 January 2011, 12:42 | Updated: 10 February 2011, 13:57

A rare sea gallantry medal awarded posthumously to a coastguard who died in Dorset during a rescue bid for a stricken Royal Navy (RN) landing craft in the Second World War is to be presented to a museum.

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, which was awarded to Mr Treadwell after his death, is to be presented to the National Museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

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

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.