Dic Evans memorial, Moelfre

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Dic Evans memorial, Moelfre

This bronze statue of lifeboat hero Richard Evans (1905-2001) was created by sculptor Sam Holland and unveiled by Prince Charles on 23 November 2004. Few lifeboat volunteers are awarded the RNLI’s gold medal for bravery, but he was awarded two. He is in the centre of the group in the photo, shown here courtesy of the RNLI.

moelfre_dic_evans_and_lifeboat_crewHis father, both his grandfathers and an uncle had already served with Moelfre lifeboat by the time he was born. Dic, as he was known, began sailing on a coastal cargo vessel at the age of 14. He later ran a butcher’s shop in Moelfre and married Nansi, a farmer’s daughter. He became lifeboat coxswain in 1954, on the retirement of his uncle John Matthews.

In 1943 Dic, then second coxswain of Moelfre lifeboat, received a silver medal for his part in the rescue of four airmen who had ditched from an aircraft.

He received a gold medal in 1959 for his part in the rescue of all eight crew from the stricken freighter Hindlea in hurricane-force winds gusting to 104mph. Waves rolled the lifeboat onto its side, putting the mast beneath the water while the ship’s propeller whirled dangerously above the heads of the crew. Despite these difficulties, Dic brought the lifeboat alongside the wreck 10 times to complete the rescue. In 1961 the Queen presented Silver Sea gallantry medals to the crew for this rescue.

Dic was 61 years old when he received his second gold medal for his part in the rescue of the crew of the Greek ship Nafsiporos which was in danger of being wrecked on the Skerries, north of Holyhead. His own son David and Holyhead lifeboat were also involved in the rescue.

In 1969, the year before he retired, Dic received the British Empire Medal. He died on 13 September 2001.

Postcode: LL72 8HY    View Location Map

Other SHIPWRECK HiPoints in this region:
Royal Charter wreck 1859, Moelfre – more than 400 lives and lots of gold lost
Site of HMS Thetis beaching, Moelfre – submarine sank with loss of 99 lives in 1939

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