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R.N.L.I. Falmouth
Brothers Bert, Len and myself joined the lifeboat [1947] just after the war.
Bertram West (Coxswain 1960-1972) with his brother Toby [scanned 2/12/01, courtesy of June, David & Sylvia]
Charlie Brown was Coxswain and his brother, Bill Brown, second. Shortly after, Wally Brown joined.
"The Crawford & Constance Conybeare, a 46 ft Watson type, was allocated to Falmouth just after the outbreak of war until 1974"
[Qf. A-Sailing West p. 110, which should probably have read "from 1940-1968"]
1956: Falmouth Lifeboat crew coming ashore* H350/C [Western Evening Herald 9/11/56]
"Returning to Custom House Quay after rescuing three seamen from a small boat in the Fal." [Toby, in the bow]
* From the Crawford and Constance Coneybeare, which was stationed at Falmouth from 1940 -1968
Toby served as: Crew from 1947 -1960, on the Crawford and Constance Coneybeare
Bowman from 1960-1972, on Coneybeare and the Lilla Marras, stationed Falmouth fom 1968-1974
Second Coxswain from 1972-1975, on the Rotary Service and
Coxswain 1975-1980 Rotary Service and Elizabeth Anne from 1979 to his retirement 1980
[L-R] Toby West (Coxswain), Viv Pentecost (Second), tba, tba, Ken Williams, Dick Watson(?), Mark Waters, Royston Prynn, Capt. Martin Dennis
50ft. Fast Afloat Thames Class lifeboat Rotary Service*
On the Falmouth station 1974 -1979. *Now in Fowey, privately owned, and named "Treffry"
Wally Brown was Coxswain on Rotary Service from 1974-1979, followed by Toby .. who recalled..
"There were only two Thames class lifeboats put into service, both of them were in Falmouth for a while on trials.
Rotary Service was never permanently allocated to the Falmouth station, being transferred to Dover & replaced with a 44ft. Waverley.
On 28 December 1977, we were called out to rescue six men in danger of being washed off a jack-up barge, Mer d'Irios.
She was in tow by the tug Englishman about 11miles east of the Lizard, winds gale force North East.
We found the barge to be pitching and yawing quite considerably. Four legs extended 70 ft. above and 40 ft. below deck level.
The biggest concern was to avoid the lifeboat getting thrown aboard the barge if a large sea hit us at the wrong time.
We picked the right time to go alongside and got all six men of without mishap.
As a result of this rescue I was highly honoured to receive the R.N.L.I. Bronze Medal, at the Festival Hall, London. [1978]
Later, at the RCYC, the crew, Ron Twydle, John Mitchell, Royston Prynn, Roger Andrew and Allen Barnes were awarded medal certificates."
[Qf. "A-Sailing West, the Autobiography of Arthur 'Toby' West, pp. 120-124)
Several pages may soon contain images of Toby's experience with the R.N.L.I.
As images in Toby's Hacienda are sorted, more will become available to illustrate his devotion to the service.
[all similar contributions would be gratefully received, please e-mail details]
After serving as Second Cox , from 1972-75, Toby took over from Wally Brown as Coxswain of the 44 ft. Waverley lifeboat 44-001.
Notable amongst the 'shouts' Toby was called out for, the Ben Asdale went ashore in a snowstorm, on New Year's Eve, 1978.
"There cannot be enough praise given to members of 814 squadron of Sea King helicopters of Culdrose, who that night
rescued eight men from the stricken ship, and also for the costguards who guided them in by radio just 70 ft. from the cliffs,
especially as all they could see was the helicopter's strong lights.
The pilots were flying completely blind in the snow."
Of his own experience, after being hit broadside in shallow water,
Toby modestly stated: "we were very lucky to get out of this situation"
[Q.f. A-Sailing West, The Autobiography of Arthur 'Toby' West pp.124-125]
In contrast to the constant awareness of beig "on-call", Toby's "social" duties were varied, and entertaining, for all concerned!
1977: The Royal Yacht Britannia, led by the Arwennack (Harbour Master's launch) and escorted by the Falmouth lifeboat The Will
with a flotilla of welcoming craft when entering Falmouth harbour, including Boy Brendan (with divers) and Falmouth Working boats.
The Royal Crest on Britannia
"The most memorable day in my life"
August 14,1977 - Jubilee visit of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and the Royal Family
After the Royal Yacht had berthed, many coxswains in the South West formed a guard of honour.
I remembered an an old book my father had kept in the attic,full of photo illustrations in sepia,
of the Queen and Princess Margaret from their very early childhood until about the age of 18.
Mr. Grossmith of Flushing did an excellent job on the cover.
It did not look right, me standing on the pier with a brown paper bag over the book,
it was quicly removed on the appearance of her Majesty, who came across and readily accepted the book
which I presented to her on behalf of the Falmouth Lifeboat crew. [see image below]
presented to her on behalf of the Falmouth Lifeboat crew. [see image below]
Toby taking the honours, on behalf of the R.N.L.I., Falmouth Branch
"A nice handshake and a few complimentary words from her regarding the welcome into Falmouth from everyone,
and some praise for all the lifeboat coxswains and crews.
There's little doubt Toby revelled in the wake of his 'exploits' with Royalty...
RNLI inshore boat - Toby & Mike StrattonPrince Andrew at the helm (link to Toby's account)
Young Prince Edward (right) after racing on Victory, Sat. 14 Aug., 1977.
See race report by Martin Eddy, on Winnie
John Chadwick, D.P. Engineer, one of Toby's best friends.John was too ill to attend Toby's funeral on 22 October, 2001
Scanned from a print in the Hacienda, courtesy of Toby West.
Bertram West
Bertram West (Retired) on Custom House Quay. [Andy Campbell, 1986]
[ R.N.L.I. and West family connections to follow soon......]
Four Falmouth lifeboat Coxswains and the Branch Chairman
Wally Brown, Toby West, Bertram West and Viv Pentecost (active Coxswain), Ken Williams (Branch Chairman)
The "A" Team
Branch Chairman, Ken Williams, flanked by four Coxwains and a veritable wealth of rescue experience! [photo by Dick Wtson?]
(L-R) Viv Pentecost, Toby West, tba, tba. tba, Ken, Wally Brown, Bertram West, Capt. Frank Edwards (Harbourmaster), tba, Ronnie Pentecost)
The crew return from Bertram West's last exercise, after 12 years as their Coxswain. Wally Brown took his place, with Toby as his Second.
Listening to an amusing anecdote, from Ken Williams on the occasion of Bert's retirement.
[L-R] Ronnie Pentecost, Vivian Pentecost, Toby West, Wally Brown, Bertram West (Retiring Coxswain)
1978: RNLI Bravery Awards (London)
Toby (top left) photographed & published by the Daily Telegraph [1978]
1980? Naming Ceremony of the new Arun Class Lifeboat Elizabeth Ann (Station Falmouth 1979-97)
John Mitchell, Viv Pentecost, Toby West,
"I had done an extra year. The naming ceremony of Elizabeth Anne, on 10 June 1980, was the occasion I was
to hand over the boat to Viv Pentecost, the next Coxswain. For me it could not have been arranged more perfectly."
John Pentecost after receiving his commendation (27 March, 1987)
Toby stated how well John had done to save four lives, while out on his own, in his quay punt Victory
One way or another, not much moved in the harbour that missed Toby's or John's attention...
The late Tony Warren, marine artist, seen when in full-humoured bloom!
Tony and John were great friends of Tony... therin lie several good 'yarns' .. usually in the Chainlocker
1989 - John Barton takes over from Viv, who joins the retired coxswain's society!
Bertram West, Wally Brown, Viv Pentecost, John Barton (new Cox), Toby West [Viv Pentecost's retirement 1989]
1997: Visitors on board "The Will" (55ft.) Severn Class 17-02
At the naming ceremony of The Will, in Falmouth on 16 July, 1997,
Anne & John Trembath, with Toby's Edna on the new Severn Class lifeboat.
The Will entered service in 1997 and was donated by the widow of a former owner of a Thames Barge
the Will (ex. Will Everard 1925/6).
Alan Barnes (Coxswain) with his crew at the 'launch' of Toby's autobiography
"Old-timers" getting younger. Alan Barnes (Cox 1991-) joined the service in 1977, only 30 years after Toby, his second,
Roger McClarity (to the right of Toby) joined in 1988 and Andrew "Snowy" Angove (behind Roger) joined in 1980.
For current crew information view the Falmouth Lifeboat site at: http://www.silverquick.com/falmouthlifeboat/CrewList.html