John Hayter's watch. (Not yet found).

John Hayter was Coxswain of the Brooke Lifeboat from 1860 to 1892.
During that time he was awarded 4 silver medals (medal plus three clasps) and a gold watch.

Lifeboats under his command saved well over 200 lives.

He died in 1927, aged 91.

Frank Salter's Medal
Awarded for his part as a member of the crew of the Worcester Cadet, in the Sirenia rescue operation, 1888. He was just 19 years old at the time.

Three other medals were awarded for what can only be regarded as heroic actions during that terrible night. They went to William "Rufus" Cotton, who took over as Coxswain following the death of Moses Munt on the previous trip to the stricken ship and David Cotton, who, along with Frank Salter were the only three crew members capable of making a third trip.
The fourth medal was awarded to John Hayter, Coxswain of the Brook Lifeboat, William Slaney Lewis.
The inscription on the medal reads "Let not the deep swallow me up".

From the collections of Carisbrooke Castle Museum by permission of the Trustees.

James Cotton's Medal
Awarded for his part as Coxswain of the crew of the Brighstone Lifeboat, Worcester Cadet, in the Eider rescue in 1892.

The largest ship to ground on Atherfield Ledge, the German steamer Eider carried gold, silver and mails as well as 227 passengers and 167 crew. All of the valuable cargo, the mails and all of the passengers and crew were saved by the Atherfield, Brighstone and Brooke lifeboats.
Aground for nearly two months, the Eider was eventually refloated and taken to Southampton for repairs.

On the edge of the medal is inscribed "James Cotton 1892".

By kind permission of Geoffrey Cotton.

Mr Punch To The Lifeboat-Men - Tom Hookey's Certificate

Certificate reads -
Presented by the Proprietors of "Punch" to "Each Man of The Crew" of the Three Lifeboats Respectively Stationed in the Isle of Wight, At Brighstone, "Worcester Cadet", At Brook, "William Slaney Lewis", At Atherfield, "Catherine Swift", For Distinguished Bravery and Gallant Conduct Whilst On Duty, On the occasion of the Wreck of the S.S. Eider, January 31st, 1892.

The crews listed on the certificate can be found at the bottom of our "S.S. Eider" page.

Reproduced by kind permission of Mr. P. Cutmore, grandson of Thomas Hookey, Brooke crewman, later Coxswain of the "Susan Ashley", from 1917 - 1919.

Long Service - Phil Jacobs

Presentation by Lord Mottistone to Phil Jacobs for 40 years service on the Brooke Lifeboat, without missing a practice or call-out.



Courtesy of Geoffrey Cotton