Richard Evans

Richard Matthew Evans (BEM), (January 19, 1905 – September 13, 2001) was a Welsh lifeboatman. He was born in the village of Moelfre on the north-east of the island of Anglesey. During his 50 years service as a lifeboatman, Richard Evans was involved in 179 launches and the saving of 281 lives and is one of only five men to be awarded the RNLI gold medal twice, the highest accolade awarded by the institution and the equivalent of the Victoria Cross for bravery at sea.

Life Richard Evans was born and raised in the village of Moelfre on the island of Anglesey. The son of a merchant seaman, Richard followed his father into the profession at the age of 14, taking command of the MV Colin at the age of 23. Following his retirement in 1970, Evans was involved in fund raising for the RNLI as well as appearing on television and radio, including being featured on This is Your Life in 1970. Richard died at the age of 96.

Service in the RNLI The tradition of serving in the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) went back many generations in Richard Evans' family, with one of his ancestors being involved in the rescue from the wreck of the Royal Charter in October 1859. Both Richard's grandfathers had served in the crew of the Moelfre lifeboat and when he himself joined at the age of 17, his father was a crewman and his uncle was the coxswain. Richard's three sons also followed their father into the service

1960 Queen's silver medal for gallantry at sea 1966 RNLI Gold medal for rescue of crew from the disabled and drifting Greek vessel Nafisporos 1969 British Empire Medal The statue stands 7 ft high on a granite plinth and was created by Sam Holland.