Catalogue description Items Relating to the RNLI and the Work and Death of Robert Patton

This collection comprises a scrapbook containing cuttings relating to the RNLI work of Robert Patton including the rescues of the crews of the Belgian trawler Jeanne and the Disperser and Robert Patton's death, the presentation to Mrs Patton of the RNLI Gold Medal by HRH the Prince of Wales 1934, and the renaming ceremony for the Runswick Bay Lifeboat by HRH The Princess Royal 1934, 1932-1936; framed vellum certificate issued by the RNLI, marking the award of the Institute's Gold Medal to Robert Patton 1934; framed certificate awarded by the Carnegie Trust Hero Fund in recognition of the heroism of Robert Patton 1934; framed certificate awarded by the RNLI to the widow of Robert Patton in recognition of his devotion to duty and supreme sacrifice 1934.

Patton, Robert, fl 1931-1934, coxswain of Runswick Bay Lifeboat

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• Royal National Lifeboat Institute
• Runswick Bay, Hinderwell, North Riding of Yorkshire

This collection was deposited by the executors of Mrs Dorothy M Watson, daughter of Robert Patton in May 1983. It is held in the Museum Shipping Wing. The Museum also holds Robert Patton's RNLI Gold Medal. Robert Patton was appointed Coxswain of the Every Ready, the Runswick Bay Lifeboat, in 1931. On the 8th February 1934 the boat answered a distress signal from the salvage ship Disperser of West Hartlepool; when the lifeboat reached the ship it was found that all the crew had been taken off by tugs, except one man. In rescuing this crew member, Robert Patton was crushed several times between the lifeboat and the ship. He was taken to the Whitby War Memorial Hospital, where he died on the 17th February 1934. For his actions he was posthumously awarded the RNLI Gold Medal. The Every Ready was renamed Robert Patton -Every Ready in his honour.