James Buckett (Cox, 1860 - 1879)

Coxswain of the first and second 'Rescue' lifeboats.

Awarded a silver medal for his part in the rescue of 20 men from the Norwegian iron screw steamer 'Woodham' in 1873.
The Master and Mate of the Woodham refused to leave the vessel, and the 18 crew were brought ashore in two trips. The lifeboat was rehoused and the crew were on their way home, when the Master and Mate signalled that they wanted to be taken off. The lifeboat launched for a third time and succesfully brought the two men ashore.

Courtesy of Geoffrey Cotton

James Henry Cotton (Cox, 1888 - 1915)

Coxswain of the 'Worcester Cadet', 'Joe Jarman' and 'Brothers Brickwood' lifeboats.

Coxswain of the Worcester Cadet during the S.S. Eider rescue, for which he was awarded a silver medal, and received a gold watch from H.I.M. William, Emperor of Germany.
The watch can be seen on the 'Awards & Medals' page.



Courtesy of Brighstone Village Museum

William 'Rufus' Cotton (Cox, 1890 - 1903)

Coxswain of the first and second 'Catherine Swift' lifeboats.

He was awarded a silver medal for his part in the Sirenia rescue, being one of only three crewmen able to make a third trip to the vessel. He took over as Coxswain of the Worcester Cadet for that trip, following the loss of Moses Munt.
He was awarded a clasp (second silver medal) for his part as Coxswain of the Catherine Swift during the Eider rescue some four years later, as well as being one of three recipients of watches from H.I.M William, Emperor of Germany.

Photo courtesy of Geoffrey Cotton.

Walter White (Cox, 1903 - 1915)

Coxswain of the second 'Catherine Swift' and 'Gem' lifeboats.







Photo courtesy of Geoffrey Cotton.

William 'Rufus' Cotton (retired)

Coxswain of the Atherfield Lifeboat 1890 - 1903



He is shown wearing his medal and his watch. The watch is on the 'Awards & Medals' page.


Photo courtesy of Diane Leverett, great grand-daughter of William Cotton.

John Hayter (Cox, 1860 - 1892)

Coxswain of the 'Dauntless', 'George & Anne' and 'William Slaney Lewis' lifeboats.

Awarded first silver medal in 1886 "For good service over a period of twenty-six years", during which time 84 lives were saved by the 'George & Anne' lifeboat.
Awarded 2nd silver medal (clasp) for his part in the 'Sirenia' disaster.
Awarded 3rd silver medal (clasp) for his part in the 'Eider' rescue - also received a gold watch from the Emperor of Germany.
Awarded 4th silver medal (clasp) on his retirement in 1892.

Two hundred and twenty two lives were saved during John Hayter's period as Coxswain.

Benjamin Jacobs (Cox, 1892 - 1917)

Coxswain of the 'William Slaney Lewis' and 'Susan Ashley' lifeboats.

Crewman of the 'William Slaney Lewis' at the 'Sirenia' rescue, during which he and his brother were washed out of the boat, along with 2nd Coxswain, Reuben Cooper.
Ben and his brother were rescued, but Reuben Cooper was drowned.



Photo courtesy of Geoffrey Cotton.

Thomas Hookey (Cox, 1917 - 1919)

Coxswain of the 'Susan Ashley' lifeboat.

A member of the crew of the 'William Slaney Lewis' during the 'Eider' rescue. All crewmen received a certificate from 'Punch' for conspicuous gallantry.
Tom Hookey's certificate is shown on the 'Awards & Medals' page.



Photo courtesy of Geoffrey Cotton.

Roland Hayter (Cox, 1919 - 1933)

Coxswain of the 'Susan Ashley' lifeboat.
Nephew of John Hayter (above).






Photo courtesy of Geoffrey Cotton.

Alfred Woodford (Cox, 1933 - 1937)

Coxswain of the 'Susan Ashley' lifeboat.







Photo courtesy of Geoffrey Cotton.