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RNLI

VOLUNTEERS from Barmouth RNLI were invited to take part in the Royal Welch Fusiliers’ celebrations marking 100 years since the end of the First World War.

Held in Y Plas, Machynlleth on Saturday, 10 November, there were stands from representatives of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, Army Cadets, the Fire and Rescue Service, Welsh Ambulance, Help for Heroes and many others.

Trevor Lewis, community safety officer for Barmouth RNLI, worked hard to put together a very impressive display.

Although there was little war-related lifeboat activity in Barmouth and Cardigan Bay during the First World War, posters showing the rescues made by lifeboats around the UK were displayed.

RNLI lifeboats launched 1,808 times and saved 5,332 lives between 1914 and 1918, with some rescues made in atrocious conditions.

During the war, with so many young men enlisted on active duty, the average age of a lifeboat crew increased to over 50.

A total of 346 young men from Barmouth left to join the war effort, 63 of whom died in action, a huge number from our sparsely populated town.

Photographs and a roll of honour listing recruits and casualties were displayed.

A spokesperson for Barmouth RNLI said: “The event was a stark reminder of the great losses suffered and it honoured the courage and determination of those older volunteers who saved lives in the midst of great conflict.”

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