Dermot O’Leary reveals the feats of RNLI volunteers thrust into unprecedented peril in this special episode of Saving Lives at Sea.
Watch the episode
War raged. But they never surrendered their courage
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Discover and share accounts of RNLI bravery during the conflict.
Danger meets dedication
Between 1939 and 1945, launching to sea took on whole new dangers, as lifeboat volunteers battled bombs and bullets as well as the conditions. RNLI crews even took part in the Dunkirk evacuation. Over the course of the Second World War, despite the added risks, lifeboat crews launched 3,760 times, saving 6,376 lives - not all of them Allied ones.
Watch this video to learn more about how brave crews saved lives during wartime.
Ensure their bravery endures
If someone in your family served in – or was rescued by – the RNLI in the Second World War, tell us how. Thanks to a grant provided by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the RNLI is seeking and sharing the wartime experiences of volunteers and those rescued by the charity during the conflict. RNLI Stories of Courage 1939-45 unearths accounts of bravery and sacrifice that might otherwise be lost, ensuring they can be heard for generations to come.
Today, as always, we're counting on you
The RNLI’s story of selfless sacrifice can’t continue without you, because today – just like 80 years ago – we rely on supporters to save lives. There are all sorts of ways you can get involved. Find out if there's an event near you. Learn about volunteering opportunities. And take a trip through our history via our 200 Voices podcast series, which includes episodes about the Second World War.
Discover humbling stories
Listen to wartime accounts of courage and loss that echo to this day, captured as part of our 200 Voices podcast series. They include Dunkirk Stowaway: Stanley E Holtom.
Hear Stanley's story
Poole Old Lifeboat Museum is home to one of the lifeboats that took part in the Dunkirk evacuation.
Learn more
In 1940, 700 little ships helped evacuate British and allied troops from Dunkirk. Nineteen RNLI lifeboats were among them.
Read more
Between 1939 and 1945, RNLI crews saved 6,376 lives. And not just Allied ones.
Discover more
Search the online archive of Lifeboat
magazine, which includes reports of Second World War rescues.
Discover
Lifeboat crew members from Tower and Dover tell us about their family connections to wartime rescues.
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Through two World Wars, Henry Blogg - the RNLI's most decorated lifesaver - helped save 873 lives.
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