Robert Burgon, at one time Coxswain of the Berwick-on-Tweed Station, was drowned, on the morning of 24th March, with two other men in a motor fishingboat which was swamped by heavy seas and sank when crossing the bar on their way home. Born in 1852, and a fisherman by trade, Robert Burgon was Second Coxswain of the Berwick-on- Tweed Life-boat from 1900 to 1905, and Coxswain from 1905 to 1919. In that year he retired and was awarded a Coxswain's Certificate of Service and a pension. During the 19 years in which he was Second Coxswain and Coxswain the Life-boat rescued 64 lives.

Her outstanding service during that time was to the Swedish barque Jacob Ratters which had stranded on the night of 29th March, 1913. The night was pitch dark, a heavy sea was sweeping right over the wreck, and she lay among rocks. To add to the dangers of the rescue, the cargo was washing out of the vessel. Robert Burgon, however, manoeuvred the Life-boat with great skill, and the crew of eleven of the Jacob Ratters was rescued without mishap.

For this fine service he was awarded the Institution's Silver Medal, and a Silver Medal from the Swedish Government. He was one of the four Life-boatmen chosen to represent England at the Centenary Thanksgiving Service in London on 14th December, 1924.