The Church of the Holy Spirit in Rye Harbour was packed on Sunday afternoon [November 16] for the annual lifeboat disaster memorial service. The service remembers those who lost their lives in 1928. Mary Stanford, the Rye Harbour lifeboat was launched on November 15 in heavy seas to aid the stricken SS Alice, but she capsized and all 17 crew on board lost their lives.
There is a memorial in the Harbour Road churchyard which lists the names of all those who died. After the service, roses were laid on the individual tablets and then wreaths were laid. It was a very moving service.
See also Lifeboat takes to the streets.
Photos: KT Bruce