In 2001, the RNLI launched a brand-new beach lifeguarding service. From struggling swimmers to stranded surfers, RNLI lifeguards have been keeping beaches safer for 25 years. They're highly trained, fit, and equipped to save lives.

This is their story.

WE ARE LIFEGUARDS is an RNLI production

rnli.org.uk/WeAreLifeguards

In this special one-off RNLI podcast, discover real Stories of Courage that explore the lifesaving work of courageous lifeboat crews during the Second World War.

Historian Dan Jones reveals true tales of volunteers who faced whole new dangers at sea between 1939 and 1945. You’ll hear stories about some of the most extraordinary Second World War rescues by RNLI crews, from pulling Battle of Britain pilots from the sea to helping evacuate soldiers from Dunkirk. Immerse yourself in interviews with heritage experts and descendants of wartime crew members, and hear fascinating extracts from our archive.

This podcast was produced by Adventurous Audio and was made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund - with thanks to National Lottery players.

Read about more RNLI Stories of Courage from the Second World War

To hear other RNLI wartime accounts, listen to the below episodes from our 200 Voices series:

Episode 15 – Lifesaving in Wartime: John Ray

Episode 50 – William Ivory on The Great Escaper

Episode 86 – For Pop: Dennis Lendrem

Episode 151 – Dunkirk Stowaway: Stanley E Holtom

Marking 200 years of lifesaving and clocking up more than 200,000 listens - this podcast shared daily short episodes, each one featuring the voice of someone whose life has been touched by the RNLI. Now a new taster episode gives you extracts from just a few of the 200 Voices - from comedy actor, writer and RNLI supporter Ruth Jones, to Stanley E Holtom, who accidentally went to the Dunkirk evacuations as a boy, 85 years ago.

200 Voices was produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI . For more on how the RNLI continued to save lives during World War 2, take a look at our Stories of Courage.