The RNLI has launched an appeal to find a "historic" gold medal that has gone missing in Dorset.

The gold medal was awarded posthumously to the coxswain of the Penlee lifeboat the Solomon Browne.

The medal is missing from the charity's head office in Poole and is appealing to the public for any information that will help its return.

The gold gallantry medal, which is the highest award for bravery issued by the RNLI, is one of the most precious in its heritage collection.

It was recently found to be missing from a dedicated secure facility at the charity’s head office.

Despite an extensive search the medal has not been found and police have been notified of a suspected theft. 

The gold medal was awarded posthumously to William Trevelyan Richards, Coxswain of the Penlee Lifeboat the Solomon Browne, which sank after going to the aid of the coaster Union Star on the night of 19 December 1981.

All eight volunteer crew members were lost in the disaster, and the whole crew were awarded gallantry medals by the RNLI in recognition of their selfless bravery and sacrifice. 

George Rawlinson, operations director of the RNLI, says: ‘We are devastated by the loss of this important part of our heritage. Not only is the medal of historical significance to the RNLI, it also has huge emotional importance, particularly to the families of the crew members who perished and the local community in Newlyn.

"The medal represents the great courage, commitment and ultimate sacrifice made by the Penlee lifeboat crew. To us, it is irreplaceable – our primary concern is to secure the return of the medal."

The medal was stored in a facility with multiple layers of security. A thorough search of the heritage collection and an internal investigation has been carried out.

The RNLI is now working closely with the police and those affected by the medal’s loss. 

David Welton, RNLI heritage manager, says: "Everybody in the RNLI family is deeply concerned by this incident and we would like to reassure people that we are doing everything possible to retrieve this precious object.

"Anybody with any information about the medal’s location is urged to contact Dorset Police quoting incident number 02:136, or to contact the RNLI direct."

In its 192-year history, the RNLI has awarded 151 gold medals to its lifeboat crews and this was the only one awarded posthumously.

Dorset Police can be contacted at www.dorset.police.uk, via email at 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 02:136.

Information can also be reported to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org 

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 in the United Kingdom or +44 1202 663234 if calling from outside the UK.