Coxswain Walter Pestell, of Palling, Norfolk, who died on 25th February, at the age of eighty-five, joined the Palling Life-boat Crew at the age of eighteen.

Six years later, in 1870, he was appointed Coxswain, and served until 1899, when he retired at the age of fifty-three.

During the twenty-nine years of his Coxswainship the Palling Station rescued 445 lives from shipwreck. Coxswain Pestell was awarded the Silver Medal, for general services, in 1893, and a Clasp to the Medal when he retired..