Coxswain Thomas D. Dawson, of the North Sunderland life-boat The Edward and Mary Lester. Appointed second coxswain in 1951, Coxswain Dawson, who became coxswain in 1955, joined the crew in 1927. He was awarded the bronze medal in 1959 for the service he performed on 12th July of that year when the life-boat rescued a man from a difficult cliff.

Since he became boat's officer the life-boat has been launched 139 times and has saved 53 people..