Charles Bowrv was motor mechanic of Sheerness lifeboat from 1969 to 1970 and coxswain/mechanic from 1970 to 1981; in 1981 he was appointed coxswain! mechanic of Portpatrick lifeboat.

He was awarded the bronze medal in 1976. a bar to his bronze medal in 1978 and the silver medal in 1980..