BY the death of Mr. Robert Legerton on 28th September, at the age of eighty, the Institution has lost one who has been closely associated with its Clacton- on-Sea Station since its establishment fifty-two years ago, and who, as a Coxswain, had a distinguished record.

Mr. Legerton was appointed Coxswain of the first Life-boat which was sent to Clacton in 1878, and served for thirteen years, retiring in 1891. During that time the Life-boat was launched on fifty-nine occasions and rescued 169 lives. The outstanding service in which he took part was the rescue of the crew of sixteen of the lugger Madeleine, of Boulogne, which was wrecked on the Gunfleet Sands on the 23rd October, 1881, in a very heavy sea. The Life-boat had to approach from windward and was flung right on the deck of the lugger.

Her rudder was broken and other damage done, but she succeeded in making fast alongside, and the whole crew of sixteen was rescued. For this gallant and dangerous service Coxswain Legerton was awarded the Silver Medal of the Institution. He was also awarded a Gold Medal by the French Govern- ment, the Second Coxswain receiving the same award, and each member of the Crew a Silver Medal. Two years later Coxswain Legerton was awarded a Second Service Clasp to his Medal for his gallantry on the night of 23rd Janu- ary, 1883, when the Life-boat capsized on service, and, though, she righted herself at once, two of her crew were awept away and drowned. On his retirement in 1891 Coxswain Legerton was awarded a Third Service Clasp to his Medal In 1898 Mr. Legerton became Assis- tant Honorary Secretary of the Clacton Branch, and from 1910 until 1920 he was Honorary Secretary. He was then elected a Vice-President of the Branch, so that his connexion with the Clacton Life-boat extended over a period of fifty-two years.