Yesterday (Sunday 6 November) saw the unveiling of a plaque at St Davids Memorial Gardens in memory of 21-year-old St Davids RNLI crewmember Ieuan Bateman, who lost his life in the service of rescuing others.
A dedication service was carried out by the Dean of St Davids, Jonathan Lean, and unveiling by the Mayor of St Davids, Councillor John Lloyd. Present day Coxswain & crew were in attendance together with Ieuan’s family and St Davids RNLI station officials.
On 8 November 1956 the lifeboat Swn-y-Mor launched on service to the aid of the French Trawler Notre Dame de Fatima, which was in difficulties and sinking approximately four miles off Skolholm Island.
A coastal command Shackleton plane had marked the spot with flares and the crew of eight on the trawler were successfully rescued during several encircling runs alongside, requiring considerable seamanship by Coxswain Dai Lewis.
The lifeboat then made for Milford Haven rather than return to St Justinian as the weather was so bad. Twice the Swn-y-Mor was submerged by waves when the lifeboat was off St Ann’s Head. When she righted herself Ieuan Bateman had gone – his body was washed ashore at West Dale two days later.
The French Government posthumously awarded him the Lifesaving Silver Medal 1st Class and the French Lifeboat Society awarded the Bronze Medal and Diploma.
Ieuan was the first of four brothers to serve with the RNLI: Byron retired following an injury whilst on service, having served for 37 years; Roland sadly died in 2009 after 39 years’ service; and John served for 42 years and is currently Deputy Launching Authority at St Davids station.
