A NEW free exhibition at Poole’s Lighthouse arts centre, RNLI: Stories of Courage 1939-45, opens on Saturday 15th January, exploring the way the volunteer lifeboat crews saved lives at sea in dangerous conditions, including a lifeboat that was one of the famous “little boats” that rescued soldiers pinned down on the beaches at Dunkirk.

The exhibition runs for six weeks until Saturday 28th February and features rarely viewed artwork and artefacts from the RNLI’s heritage collections. It includes paintings showing rescues at sea and portraits of key RNLI figures. There will also be items from the RNLI heritage collection on display including a compass and signal lamp that went to Dunkirk.

From Ireland’s neutral stance to the occupation of the Channel Islands, the exhibition highlights the different experiences RNLI crews had across the regions. It covers Poole Lifeboat Station’s connection to Dunkirk, the RNLI’s role in the Battle of Britain and the many lives it saved, and how women helped the RNLI from the home front. It shows how RNLI crews continued to save lives throughout huge moments in the Second World War and marks their bravery, which continues to inspire the charity today.

Hayley Whiting, RNLI heritage and archive manager, says: “We wanted to mark the bravery of our crew with this exhibition who continue to inspire the charity today.”

The exhibition is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the fund’s London and south director Stuart McLeod says: “Thanks to National Lottery players, this exhibition brings to life the bravery and resilience of lifeboat crews who risked everything to save lives at sea. Preserving and celebrating this heritage ensures that future generations understand the vital role these volunteers played during one of history’s most challenging times.”

There will be a range of free events for visitors during the exhibition, including a walking tour of Poole to share local connections to the RNLI, hearing from a family member saved by the RNLI during the Second World War and meeting current crew. Find out more details by visiting RNLI.org/Exhibition

Pictured: Poole lifeboat Thomas Kirk Wright being launched down the slipway at the old Poole lifeboat station, now a museum. Colourised image from black and white.
Poole station, ON 811, Surf class, Thomas Kirk Wright.
According to the website of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships, this little surf lifeboat, which drew only 2ft 6ins, was the first lifeboat to reach the beaches of Dunkirk on 30th May 1940. She was manned by naval ratings and was loaded with French soldiers when she came under fire from German troops. Miraculously no one was hit, but the boat was seriously damaged …. She was saved by her tremendously strong construction … She was quickly repaired and returned to Dunkirk for a second trip on 2nd June when she was towed across by the tug Foremost 87 … [Later] she was acquired by the National Maritime Museum who restored her … [and is now], a static exhibit in the little boathouse at Poole.

​Photographs © RNLI