THE Gold Medal of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, which is only awarded in cases of exceptional gallantry, was granted by the Committee of Management on the 11th July, 1907, in the following circumstances:— On Sunday morning, the 16th June, 1907, at about 11 A.M., a small yacht named the Firefly, of the " Mosquito" class, which is mostly used by the Penarth Yacht Club, was sailing off Lavernock Point, Glamorganshire, and when in the Ranie Race she suddenly capsized and threw her three occupants into the water. Mr. Harold M. Lloyd, of Cardiff, happened to see the accident, and realising that the three men were in great danger, he with great promptness telephoned to Penarth for assistance and asked that a steam or sailing boat should be sent to their aid.

He then jumped on to his bicycle and went with all speed to Mr.

Daniel Rees, who lives at Sully House.

Mr. Rees, without hesitation, at once offered to try and save the unfortunate men who were clinging to the upturned yacht. There was only a very small punt or dinghy at his disposal, 6 feet in length, which he used in connection with his yacht and then lying in the yard.

With all haste this little boat was carried to the water's edge, and within the short space of a few minutes from the time the accident was first observed, Mr. Rees had started in his frail and tiny craft to save the drowning men. The wind varied in strength from a strong breeze to a moderate gale, and blew from the westward, which against the ebb tide raised a heavy confused sea between Lavernock Point and Sully Island.

Mr. Rees, with great bravery, quite disregarding his own safety, proceeded on his way. Taking his little boat up channel until he got into the current he made for the men, who by this time had drifted nearly three miles from the shore, and were still clinging to their boat. Every moment the seas became heavier, but in spite of the grave risk Mr. Rees persevered.

His boat constantly shipped water but this did not deter him. By dint of skilful seamanship he reached the capsized sailing-boat, and in the most gallant manner proceeded to get the men out of the water, a task attended by the greatest risk in so small a boat, as the slightest error of judgment would have caused her to capsize and all would have perished. Happily, he succeeded in getting two o£ the men. over tb.e stern into his six-foot boat, one of them being practically unconscious, but the dinghy was then so low in the water that it was not possible to save the third man. Mr. Rees however did not desert him, but remained as close as possible for about twenty minutes until further help reached them. During this time the conditions were even more dangerous than before owing to the over-laden state of the dinghy.

In the meantime, those on shore had not been idle. Directly after Mr. Daniel Rees had started it was seen that it would not be possible for him to save all the men in so small a boat.

His brother, Mr. Ivor Rees, and Mr.

D. Morgan Rees, his nephew, who were on the beach, therefore decided to go off in another small " Mosquito" yacht, similar to the one which had met with the accident, and which was lying at moorings in Sully Sound. The sails were not in the boat, nor was there any way of getting to her as the dinghy had gone.

Mr. Ivor Rees, without more ado, entered the water, and fully dressed swam a distance of two hundred yards through broken water caused by the tide race; and brought in the sailing-boat; whilst Mr. D. Morgan Rees, in the meanwhile, ran to the house and obtained the sails. They then followed Mr.

Daniel Rees with all speed, but owing to the sea running the boat made very bad weather. By this time the upturned boat had drifted more than four miles from the scene of the accident, but the third man still clung to her. It was an anxious time for the onlookers ashore, but eventually the boat was reached and the unfortunate man was taken from the water. The three men in the dinghy were then transferred to the sailing-boat, and the whole party proceeded in the direction of Sully Island. After they had gone some distance a tug came upon the scene, and for the comfort of the rescued men they were placed on board to be conveyed to Barry whilst the three men who had rendered such yeoman service returned ashore.

The Committee of Management, in addition to conferring the Gold Medal upon Mr. Daniel Rees for his intrepid conduct, granted the Silver Medal to Mr. Ivor Rees, and the thanks of the Institution, inscribed on vellum and suitably framed, to Mr. D. Morgan Rees.

A special letter of thanks was also sent The indomitable pluck and skill displayed, more particularly by Mr. Daniel Rees, was spoken of in the highest terms by all—and these were many— who witnessed the incident, and had it not been for the prompt action taken and the bravery shown by the rescuers sad loss of life must have occurred.

to Mr. Harold M. Lloyd, who first observed the accident and took such prompt steps to obtain assistance.

The presentations were made by the Lord Mayor of Cardiff at a largely attended meeting at the Town Hall on the 14th October, when the heroes received quite an ovation.