Four Surry brothers (Robert, Samuel, Thomas, William), who were born between 1816 and 1828, all sons of an English coastguardsman (preventive service), all became boatmen in the Coastguard. Robert served between Hampshire and Norfolk (mainly Hastings coast); Samuel served in Ireland and Portsea; Thomas mainly at Torquay in Devon; William mainly in Penzance and Wales. The brothers were in the service from about 1836 through to the 1890s. Another two brothers, Frederick and James served in the merchant navy.