THE meeting to-day has a twofold purpose; to hear about the work of the Institution during 1946; and to pay our tribute to the gallant self-sacrifice of The Mumbles life-boat crew, for whose families we all have the deepest sympathy.

Two years ago I presented a gold medal on your behalf to the coxswain of that crew, William Gammon, for conspicuous gallantry and seamanship during the war.

You will remember hearing the wonderful story of his achievements, and of other coxswains who received medals, and -you will, I know, share with me the pride of being connected with the Royal National Life-boat Institution, which can produce such men, -who in war and peace are always prepared to face dangers to rescue lives from the sea.

It has been a sad duty to me to present to the families of these men of The Mumbles life-boat certificates recording the heroism of their deaths this year, but in so doing, with a heavy and understanding heart, I pray that they may be comforted by the world-wide tributes paid to their menfolk, tributes which we in the Institution so sincerely share. We shall not forget them, or their relatives.

The record of the Institution in 1946 was an impressive one, and it is remarkable that, in spite of all inventions to help navigation, and to make travel by sea safe, there were more calls for life-boat assistance than ever before in a year of peace.

We are very glad that the boats were able to rescue 234 lives from the ships of other countries than our own, and in the long record of service to. foreign nations there is not a country in the world that does not owe the lives of some of its seamen to British life-boats.

To the crews we express our gratitude and admiration; some of them, I am glad to be able to say, I have had the opportunity of meeting during the last two years, when I visited various stations in the British Isles, and I was greatly impressed with these splendid and cheerful men. Our hopes and prayers are with them for the future.

In conclusion, may I add my sincere thanks to all who have given their help in many ways during the past year, and to the generous British public, on whose support we depend.

Everyone connected with the Institution, as well as. the public, must feel proud that they have a share in the achievements of the Life-boat Service, in which I take such a deep interest.

Read at the Annual Meeting on the 24th ol October, 1M7. (Bee page 88.).