A PERMANENT memorial is to be unveiled to honour the courage of three lifeboatmen who were killed at the end of a long and complex rescue mission.

The trio died 60 years ago next month when their lifeboat was overwhelmed by tumultuous seas just 200 yards from the safety of the shore.

It was one of the worst disasters in Scarborough’s lifeboat history and has been commemorated ever since with an annual church service.

And on December 7, the eve of the 60th anniversary, a sandstone plaque will be unveiled at St Mary’s Church by eye-witness and local RNLI standard bearer Ross Tyson.

The tragedy took place during a terrible storm that brought with it enormous waves and a vicious, howling gale.

Despite the atrocious conditions, the lifeboat ECJR had been at sea all afternoon, shepherding a fleet of battered fishing boats back to the shelter of the harbour.

But with its rescue work almost complete, the ECJR was engulfed by waves and capsized in the south bay close to the harbour mouth.

The lifeboat righted itself in seconds and the three crew members still aboard were able to pull another two crewmen back to safety.

But coxswain John Sheader and second coxswain John Cammish were swept away along with signalman Frank Bayes.

The bodies of coxswains Cammish and Sheader were washed ashore shortly afterwards. They were rushed to hospital but medics were unable to save them.

Signalman Bayes received a severe blow to the forehead, probably during the capsize, and his body was recovered a few hours later.

The deaths devastated their families and the whole town was left numb with shock and grief. However within just 48 hours a new crew had been formed which included the five survivors.

The new plaque, paid for with an anonymous donation, is to be positioned on a stone ledge on the fishermen’s aisle of the church with the help of Mr Tyson.

Now 82, he was off-duty from his role as a coastguard watch-keeper at the castle, and watched the tragedy unfold from the lifeboathouse slipway.

He later joined the lifeboat shore crew as tractor driver and head launcher, and was on the crew of the station’s first inshore lifeboat.

The service will begin at 6.30pm and among those hoping to attend is John Sheader’s daughter Sally Bullamore.