🌊 ON THIS DAY IN WEMBURY — 20 AUGUST 1915
GALLANT RESCUE AT WEMBURY
On 20 August 1915, the Western Morning News reported a dramatic rescue from the sea at Wembury.
The previous morning, Private Eden had been bathing from the beach when he got into difficulties and called for help. Several people heard his cries and ran towards the water.
The first person to reach him was Samuel N. Kendall of Clarence Street, Plymouth. Without stopping to remove his clothes, Kendall plunged fully dressed into the sea.
He reached the struggling swimmer and supported him in the water until two or three soldiers arrived to help bring Private Eden safely ashore. By then, Eden was described as being in an exhausted condition.
Once he was on the beach, artificial respiration was immediately attempted under the direction of Lieutenant Minnett and Sergeant F. R. Knight, who happened to be present. Eden eventually regained consciousness and was carried to bed. By that evening, he was reported to be recovering as well as could be expected.
The newspaper reserved particular praise for Samuel Kendall, whose immediate and courageous response had probably saved the soldier’s life.
There was another poignant detail to his story. Kendall had been spending the day on Wembury beach with his wife before leaving for Salisbury Plain the following Monday—he had only just enlisted for service during the First World War.
After the rescue, he was given a temporary change of clothing and warm refreshments by Mrs and Miss Bryant at the Mill. T. Lavers and P. Ellis, who were staying at the Mill for a holiday, were also praised for providing valuable assistance.
REFLECTION
This little report captures courage in its most instinctive form. Samuel Kendall had no modern rescue equipment and no time to consider the danger. He simply heard another person calling for help and entered the sea fully clothed.
Those on the beach then worked together: one man supported the swimmer, soldiers helped bring him ashore, others attempted to restore his breathing, and local residents provided warmth and care.
In August 1915, many of those present would already have been living with the anxiety and uncertainty of war. Kendall himself was preparing to leave for military training. Yet, before facing whatever awaited him at Salisbury Plain and beyond, he saved a life on a quiet morning at Wembury.
More than a century later, the report reminds us that history is not composed only of great battles and famous names. It is also made by ordinary people who, in one decisive moment, choose to help.
📷 The accompanying image is a modern historical interpretation of the rescue, based on the newspaper’s description. The appearances of the people depicted are imagined.
Source: Western Morning News, 20 August 1915.
On this day in Wembury, 20 August 1993
A summer rockpool ramble set out from Wembury Beach on the afternoon of 20 August, part of the joint programme run by the South Hams Environment Service and the South Devon Heritage Coast Service. These guided rambles were a popular feature of the early nineties, giving families and visitors a chance to explore the rich marine life of Wembury’s shore with trained leaders who knew where to look and what to find.
Participants were shown how to search responsibly among the pools and weed, learning about crabs, anemones, small fish and the fragile habitats around the tide line. Events like this helped build the reputation that Wembury enjoys today as one of the best places in Devon for shore ecology, long before the present day Marine Centre took shape. It was a simple community activity but an important part of encouraging people to value the beach and its wildlife.
Source, Plymouth Extra, 17 June 1993.
Entries are summaries and interpretations of historical newspaper reports.