RNLI Museum searching for memories

RNLI museum searches for memories of the English Trader rescue

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the rescue of 44 sailors from the merchant vessel the English Trader by Cromer RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew. Now the RNLI Henry Blogg museum is searching for people with memories, stories, photographs or mementos of the rescue and the people involved. The objects and information will provide the museum with a rich resource, ensuring the courage of those rescued and the rescuers is remembered by future generations for many years to come.

Over the next few months museum researchers hope to find out more about the survivors and lifeboat crew members from the rescue to produce a script allowing local school students a unique and rare chance to re-enact the rescue. The stage will be the very lifeboat on which the action took place – the H F Bailey that now rests in the RNLI Henry Blogg Museum in Cromer. The performances will be filmed to show to future visitors as the lifeboat is too fragile to permit regular performances. Additionally the museum aims to launch new learning resources next Spring for visiting school groups.

Jacqui Palmer RNLI museum manger explains: ‘We have been referring to the survivors of the English Trader as “44 men” for some time but that doesn’t reflect who they were. We would love to have photographs of each person and find out about their lives and families. We have spoken to one survivor who now lives in Australia. He is nearly 90 years old but would have died at 19 years of age if the Cromer lifeboat crew had not returned for him.

‘Perhaps you remember a relative involved in the rescue, or have naval records of a family member who served on the English Trader? If you have any information, mementoes or photographs you’d be willing to loan or give the museum please contact us 01263 511294 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. – all items provided to us will treasured and well cared for by our museum team.’

The RNLI Heritage Trust museum secured funding of £27,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund through their Your Heritage programme for the project, and Robyn Llewellyn, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund East of England, says:
‘We at HLF are delighted to be able to support this project. The story of the English Trader gives an incredible insight into the history of the RNLI, the courage of their volunteer lifeboat crews and the impact they have had on the lives of our coastal communities. By collecting the personal stories of those involved in this rescue and working with local young people, this project will ensure that future generations remember and understand the importance of charity’s role.’

The museum and some family members are also trying to discover where Edward Walter Allen’s medal is now. Please contact the museum if you have any information on the rescue, crew of the English Trader or crew of the H.F.Bailey.

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone 01263 511294.