Graham Drinkwater of Holyhead

Graham Drinkwater of Holyhead

He’s parked at the bar

with a drink in his hand

a couple of friends at his side

He doesn’t talk much

of the night of the storm

nor tell you how he felt inside

They’d heard Nafsiporos

was caught near the rocks

just west of West Mouse on the drift

The Holyhead crew

and the Moelfre crew too

went out to see who they could shift

Ship’s crew lined the rails

and their lifeboat swung free

Nafsiporos rolled over until

one lifeboat St Cybi

was crushed by its weight

Well-battered - it floated there still

St Cybi took turns

Watkin Williams and she

their brave coxswains gauged all by the eye

Storm-yawing and pitching

drove under the lee

of that dangerous ship with the cry

of the crew on the rails

who - frightened to jump

were given the chance til they did

Five men to St Cybi

Watkin Williams took ten

then turned in for safe Holyhead

The man at the bar

was fifteen on that day

He served his brave turn with the rest

His medal’s at home

but he’s served all his life

You’re drinking with one of the best.

Graham Drinkwater

2002 CPR