Steering toward the rocky cove, huge waves capsized the boat and all but three died. Fortunately, another wave righted the boat. Ayres dragged himself back aboard. Now there were just three survivors, including Hampshire and Thomas.
Another breaker crashed into the boat and Hampshire was washed to his death. Ayres and Thomas made it to a nearby rock. Another wave washed Thomas backwards and he too drowned.
Ayres was about to give up when he heard the voices.
Three young girls, Betty Driver, Olive Martin and her sister, all evacuees from Tottenham in London, were walking along the cliffs when they saw the boat flip over One ran to a nearby farm for help. The other two ran down to the beach, shouting for Ayres to keep swimming.
The first girl returned with coast guard man Brian Richard, who threw the rope. Ayres was saved.
The bodies of Hampshire, Thomas and two Lascars were recovered and buried in a nearby cemetery.
Coerthillan Cove, where Ayres was rescued, it just a few miles from his home. For his efforts, he was awarded the MBE for heroics and a War Medal for bravery at sea.
He returned to the sea nine months later and spoke little of the experience afterwards. After the war, he was in the Royal Navy Reserve and he died in 1992.
Quite the Hero. --GreGen
The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.
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