Life Savers
This Is Your Life: Life Savers features
Peter Methven This Is Your Life Peter Methven This Is Your Life Peter METHVEN
retired Fire Officer 29 October 1956

Eamonn surprised the retired Edinburgh fire officer - on a visit to London - in the audience at the King's Theatre, Hammersmith.
Peter joined the fire service in 1909 and worked his way up the ranks to become Firemaster of Edinburgh's Central Fire Station in 1927 - a position he held until his retirement from the service in 1941.

     
     
  Edwin Madron This Is Your Life Edwin MADRON
Lifeboat coxswain 18 March 1957

The coxswain of Cornwall's Penlee lifeboat was surprised by Eamonn at the King's Theatre, Hammersmith - which was dressed as a Lifeboat Day rally - complete with posters and flag-sellers on the steps.
Edwin was awarded the RNLI Silver medal for rescuing eight men from HMS Warspite in 1947.

     
     
Frederick Stone This Is Your Life Frederick Stone This Is Your Life Frederick STONE
retired Police Constable 3 March 1958

During his thirty-year career as a Metropolitan Police Constable, Frederick was awarded the King's Police Medal, the British Empire Medal and the George Medal for gallantry. Eamonn surprised him in the audience at the BBC Television Theatre, where, unknown to Frederick, more than 100 members of the Metropolitan Police Force were in attendance.

     
     
Archie Rowe This Is Your Life Archie Rowe This Is Your Life Archie ROWE
Lifeboat coxswain 14 April 1958

Eamonn used a photograph of his subject to locate his target in the audience at the BBC Television Theatre.
Archie - who in 1936, at the age of 31, became the youngest ever coxswain appointed by the Lifeboat Service - was greeted by his guests on a stage set which replicated his Cornish village of Coverack.

     
     
  This Is Your Life Big Red Book

William MERRILEES
Chief Constable 23 November 1959

The Chief Constable of Lothian and Peebles Constabulary since 1950 was surprised by Eamonn at King's Cross railway station in London.
William was known as Scotland's Pocket Battleship due to his height of only 5 feet 6 inches and his unconventional working methods, which often involved disguises.

     
     
  This Is Your Life Big Red Book

David BARCLAY
Air Ambulance officer 29 February 1960

David - the pioneering Scottish Airways and BEA pilot known throughout Scotland for his bravery and skill in flying over 500 mercy missions with the air ambulance - was surprised by Eamonn outside the BBC Television Theatre.

     
     
  Tom Breaks This Is Your Life Tom BREAKS
Firefighter 26 March 1962

The First World War veteran was surprised by Eamonn at London Airport.
Tom was the Superintendent of Sheffield Fire Brigade from 1923 to 1937 when he was seconded to the Home Office as Inspector of Fire Brigades, assisting in the reorganisation of the British fire services on a national scale.

     
     
  This Is Your Life Big Red Book Daniel KIRKPATRICK
Lifeboat coxswain 1 January 1963

Daniel - the coxswain of Longhope Lifeboat on the Island of Hoy in the Orkneys - was surprised by Eamonn on his 53rd birthday at a Glasgow theatre.

     
     
James Carroll This Is Your Life James Carroll This Is Your Life James CARROLL
Policeman 22 January 1963

The former police sergeant - who was quite a legend in London's East End for his efficient and effective policing, and was known to all as 'Big Jim' - was surprised by Eamonn outside London's Limehouse Police Station.
The actor Jack Warner - of television's Dixon of Dock Green fame - introduces this edition.

     
     
Richard Evans This Is Your Life Richard Evans This Is Your Life Richard EVANS
Lifeboat coxswain 4 March 1970

The coxswain dubbed 'a hero of the sea', and the only living holder of two RNLI gold medals for bravery - was surprised by Eamonn at Thames Television's Euston Road Studios. Dick - who had been coxswain for 16 years and whose grandfather and uncle were both lifeboatmen - was treated to a live link to his home town - Moelfre in Anglesey.

     
     
Robert Soutter This Is Your Life Robert Soutter This Is Your Life Robert SOUTTER
Ambulance driver 13 January 1971

Robert - who had spent the last 20 years as an ambulance driver with the Scottish Ambulance Service in Glasgow - was surprised by Eamonn outside Thames Television's Euston Road Studios.
He was recently awarded the British Empire Medal for two acts of courage, and among those paying tribute is Scottish singer and entertainer Andy Stewart.

     
     
  This Is Your Life Big Red Book Harry JOHNSON
Coastguard 29 January 1975
     
     
Henry Davies This Is Your Life Henry Davies This Is Your Life Henry 'Shrimp' DAVIES
Lifeboat coxswain 18 February 1976

Eamonn surprised Henry at Cromer's lifeboat station in Norfolk - on the eve of his 62nd birthday and his retirement after 45 years service, during which time he had helped save more than 400 lives.
'Shrimp' - as he was affectionately known - was the recipient of the RNLI Bronze medal, the RNLI Silver Statuette and three RNLI Vellums of Thanks.

     
     
Alfred Pavey This Is Your Life Alfred Pavey This Is Your Life Alfred PAVEY
Lifeboat coxswain 16 February 1977

Alf was led to believe that his second in command was to be the subject of the programme, and had even filmed a tribute to him. However, Eamonn turned the tables and surprised the Weymouth coxswain at the town's lifeboat station. Alf's show, recorded at ITV's Southampton studio, honours his 30 year service as a lifeboatman, in which he saved almost 300 lives.

     
     
Robert Law This Is Your Life Robert Law This Is Your Life Robert LAW
RAF Winchman 21 March 1979

Robert was surprised by Eamonn at RAF Northolt on the very day he was awarded the RAF's prestigious Meritorious Service Medal.
The rescue helicopter winchman based in Chivenor, Devon had completed a 20 year service with the Royal Air Force, saving over 350 lives in the course of 800 rescue missions.

     
     
Brian Bevan This Is Your Life Brian Bevan This Is Your Life Brian BEVAN
Lifeboat coxswain 2 April 1980

The coxswain of Humberside's lifeboat, which is based at Spurn Point, was surprised by Eamonn at London's Kodak Gallery.
Brian, aged 24, is the youngest lifeboat subject featured on This Is Your Life, and holds the record for being awarded the RNLI Bronze, Silver and Gold medals in the shortest period of time.

     
     
Mike Yarwood This Is Your Life Mike Yarwood This Is Your Life Mike YARWOOD
RAF Winchman 12 November 1980

Mike was surprised by Eamonn at the studios of Tyne Tees Television - where the show was then recorded. A winchman on the RAF's Sea King helicopter, and based at Bulmer, Mike had recently been awarded the Air Force Medal for gallantry.
He is greeted on film by his namesake, impressionist Mike Yarwood.

     
     
John P Spencer This Is Your Life John P Spencer This Is Your Life John P SPENCER
RN (FAA) Winchman 2 February 1983

In one of the most dramatic 'pick-ups' in the show's history, a very windswept Eamonn surprised the winchman in a mock rescue operation on the River Thames - losing his hat in the process.
John - who is based at the Lee-on-Solent search and rescue helicopter base - is the only man to have won the Queen's Gallantry Medal twice.

     
     
Matthew Lethbridge This Is Your Life Matthew Lethbridge This Is Your Life Matthew LETHBRIDGE
Lifeboat coxswain 11 January 1984

The coxswain of St Mary's lifeboat in the Isles of Scilly was surprised by Eamonn while he was attending the Boat Show at London's Earl's Court.
Matthew - with 26 years service - is the third generation of his family connected with the boat, and in addition to his numerous awards from the RNLI, was awarded a British Empire Medal in 1975.

     
     
David Ellaway This Is Your Life David Ellaway This Is Your Life David ELLAWAY
Ambulanceman 4 December 1985

Surprised by Eamonn in the audience at the Royalty Theatre, David - whose job as an ambulanceman is based in Cheltenham - has travelled the world as a volunteer with the Red Cross, working in Ethiopia and on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and helping to provide aid to the recent devastating famine in the Sudan.

     
     
Larry Slater This Is Your Life Larry Slater This Is Your Life Larry SLATER
Royal Navy Aircrewman 9 April 1986

Eamonn arrived by helicopter onto HMS Ark Royal in order to surprise the veteran of 160 rescue missions and recipient of the Queen's Award for Gallantry.
One of Larry's more high-profile rescues involved Simon Le Bon - and the pop star pays tribute to the winchman in a recorded message. Larry's footballing hero, Kenny Dalglish, also appears on the show.

     
     
Derek Scott This Is Your Life Derek Scott This Is Your Life Derek SCOTT
Lifeboat coxswain 21 January 1987

Presenter Judith Chalmers helped Eamonn surprise the lifeboat coxswain in a mock-up television show entitled Life Achievers at Teddington Studios. Derek - about to retire after 40 years of service - volunteered at 19, after the Mumbles lifeboat disaster in 1947, and became the youngest coxswain in the country at 26. His bravery earned him a British Empire Medal in 1970.

     
     
Harry Friend This Is Your Life Harry Friend This Is Your Life Harry FRIEND
Policeman 4 February 1987

Harry had been led to believe he was being filmed for a documentary when Eamonn - dressed as a policeman - surprised him on the streets of Teddington.
Harry, described as the 'epitome of the village policeman', was also a foster parent from Llanbradach, South Wales, and the tribute reunited him and his wife with many of the children they had fostered.

     
     
Robert Pountney This Is Your Life Robert Pountney This Is Your Life Robert POUNTNEY
RAF Winchman 5 December 1990

Michael and the team travelled to Clashnach Cove, Scotland to surprise the winchman who - with his crew - had played an important role in the rescue mission at the Piper Alpha fire - the world's worst ever oil-platform disaster.
The 202 Squadron Search & Rescue are based at RAF Lossiemouth, where the programme was recorded.

     
     
John Woodhouse This Is Your Life John Woodhouse This Is Your Life John WOODHOUSE
Lifeboat coxswain 27 February 1991

Comedian Jim Davidson helped Michael surprise the 79-year-old - known as Skipper' - at sea off the Norfolk coast, on board Caister's new lifeboat. Jack was - at the time - the oldest and longest serving lifeboatman in the country, and his family tradition with the Norfolk boat goes back to his grandfather.
His tribute was recorded at the Great Yarmouth Arena.

     
     
Anthony Jones This Is Your Life Anthony Jones This Is Your Life Anthony JONES
Mountain Rescue Expert 20 January 1993

The Bangor University academic was surprised by Michael during a search and rescue practice operation on Snowdonia.
Anthony, who doesn't own a television, and was therefore unaware of This Is Your Life, was reunited with many of those whose lives he has helped to save in the National Park and elsewhere.

     
     
David Wallace This Is Your Life David Wallace This Is Your Life David WALLACE
Winchman 7 December 1994

David was surprised by a helicopter-bound Michael during a rescue training session over Dawlish in Devon.
The winchman was awarded the George Medal for his part in saving 40 lives from the sinking of the container ship The Murray in 1989. His tribute was broadcast from RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall.

     
     
Allan Norman This Is Your Life Allan Norman This Is Your Life Allan NORMAN
Paramedic 27 September 1995

The London based motorbike paramedic - who had been featured in the television series 'Blue and Twos' and '999' - was surprised by Michael during a mock accident in London's Fulham.
Allan's guests include the model Heather Mills - Allen had been first paramedic at the scene of her well publicised accident.

     
     
David Kennett This Is Your Life David Kennett This Is Your Life David KENNETT
Lifeboat coxswain 6 December 1995

Michael was winched from a helicopter over the Isle of Wight onto the Yarmouth lifeboat, in order to surprise the current longest serving coxswain, and recipient of both the RNLI Silver and Bronze medals.
Among those paying tribute to David's service and courage is Lord Mottistone, the then Governor of the Isle of Wight.

     
     
Hewitt Clark This Is Your Life Hewitt Clark This Is Your Life Hewitt CLARK
Lifeboat coxswain 8 November 1999

Hewitt - coxswain of the Lerwick lifeboat and Britain's most decorated serving lifeboatman - was surprised by Michael at Edinburgh's Holyrood House.
His tribute was recorded in the gothic splendour of Lerwick Town Hall on the Shetland Islands - the most northerly recording location in the history of This Is Your Life.

     
     
Roger Kendall This Is Your Life Roger Kendall This Is Your Life Roger KENDALL
Firefighter 22 May 2000

Michael surprised the firefighter at London's Soho fire station - with the assistance of cast members from the ITV drama series London's Burning, with whom Roger had worked as a technical advisor. With over 20 years of service with the London Fire Brigade, Roger played a crucial part in many of the capital's major incidents, including the Kings Cross fire in 1987.

     

* the pre-1970 subjects were surprised by a different coloured book - see the Big Red Book feature for full details