In 1823, Sir William Hilary published a pamphlet entitled “An Appeal to the British Nation on the Humanity and Policy of forming a National Institution for the preservation of Lives and Property from Shipwreck” —and there is no doubt that his drive led to the formation of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in 1824.

Two short quotations from his pamphlet read: “The succour and support of those persons who may be rescued, the promptly obtaining medical aid, food, clothing and shelter for those who may require such relief,” and “The assistance of medical men who would enrol themselves to be ready to attend, might frequently be of the utmost importance to succour and restore those who might have sustained severe injury or whose lives might be nearly extinct.”