Tributes to Navy hero Trevor
Tributes have been paid to a Shropshire naval hero who helped save passengers from a sinking ship in the Bay of Biscay during the 1940s. Tributes have been paid to a Shropshire naval hero who helped save passengers from a sinking ship in the Bay of Biscay during the 1940s. Trevor Garbett died last week at Severn Hospice. The former seaman had been awarded Lloyds Silver Life Saving Medal following his heroics in 1947. The 78-year-old, of Luciefelde Road, Belle Vue, was just 18 when he sprang into action to rescue passengers from a sinking steam boat off the French coast. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
Trevor Garbett died last week at Severn Hospice. The former seaman had been awarded Lloyds Silver Life Saving Medal following his heroics in 1947.
The 78-year-old, of Luciefelde Road, Belle Vue, was just 18 when he sprang into action to rescue passengers from a sinking steam boat off the French coast. Robert Garbett said his father had rarely spoken of the day when he took part in the sea rescue.
But he said he and the rest of his family were extremely proud of the Shrewsbury man, who was well known through a number of groups and clubs in the town.
Mr Garbett joined the Merchant Navy in 1945 and he was on his way back from South America on March 19, 1947 on board the Empire Plover when the rescue took place.
The ship's crew received a distress call from an old converted landing craft that had become flooded and was sinking in the Bay of Biscay.
Mr Garbett jumped into the sea to rescue some of the stricken passengers from the sinking ship, before he fainted.
His son said he then regained consciousness and returned to the rescue effort, saving more people and a dog.
As well as the Lloyds Silver Life Saving Medal, Mr Garbett was presented with an inscribed cigarette case to mark his bravery.
His son said: "He never talked about it that much. Like a lot of people from that era, he did some incredible things but he never talked about it. He was very modest.
"He was very proud of his days at sea and he was in the Navy for nine years in all," he added.
Mr Garbett left the Navy in 1950 when he moved back to Shrewsbury where he worked for Rolls Royce and at Shelton Hospital before his retirement.
He was also member of Minsterley Motor Club, Mid Shropshire Wheelers and Shropshire Wood Turners.
Mr Garbett's funeral will be held on Wednesday at Shrewsbury Crematorium.
By Andy Robbins
