A BRAVERY medal won by a fearless lifeboatman who helped save 47 men when their ship was wrecked in a gale off the Hartlepool coast is set to help fetch up to £1,800 at an auction today.

The silver Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) medal was presented to Herbert William Jefferson, motor mechanic for the Hartlepool lifeboat The Princess Royal, after he and his colleagues rescued 47 of the crew of the stricken steamship Hawkwood in January 1942.

Almost 70 years later Mr Jefferson's medal and his British War medal are expected to sell for between £1,400 and £1,800 at Spink, in Bloomsbury, London.

For risking their lives, each man received a gratuity of £4 eight shillings and sixpence (£4.43p in modern money).

RNLI official Brian Wead said: "An RNLI gold medal will only be awarded for a rescue in which exceptional courage, skill and initiative is shown. It is known as the lifeboatmen's VC.

"A silver medal will be awarded in circumstances that fall just short of the criteria for a gold medal and a bronze can be awarded for gallantry or merit during a rescue."

Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 and up until December 31 last year, only 119 gold medals have been awarded, while 1,558 silver medals and 799 bronze medals have been presented.

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