Seán Boner showing Una McGarrigle the gold medal that was presented to his grandfather John Boyle, at the County Donegal Historical Society recent field day at Inishbofin Island.
Seán’s grandfather John Boyle of Arranmore Island was presented with the gold medal in 1941 by the Dutch Government on behalf of Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands for exceptionally outstanding courage, unselfishness and devotion to duty.
John was the coxswain on the Arranmore RNLI lifeboat that was involved in the rescue of 18 crew members of the Dutch steamer Stolwijk that was blown on to the rocks at Inishbeg Island on December 7, 1940 during a hurricane.
It was described as a rescue of great daring, gallantry and endurance that was carried out in weather of exceptional severity.
Of the other lifeboat crew members, a Silver Medal was presented to Motor Mechanic Teague Ward, and Bronze Medals awarded to crew members Philip Boyle, Philip Byrne, Neil Byrne, Bryan Gallagher, Patrick O’Donnell and Joseph Rogers.
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