THE Royal Air Force has presented a silver and enamel R.A.F. crest to the Lerwick life-boat and it has been fitted in the after-shelter. With it came a message from the officer commanding the No. 18 Group: "The crest is sent in recognition of the splendid way in which you turned out to rescue the crew of one of our Lancasters on July 23rd. .•. . It will remind you of our gratitude for your efforts and also let you know what a sense of comfort it is to us when flying over the sea to know that your gallant crews are always ready to go to our assistance." The life-boat had put out at 3.40 in the afternoon, travelled nearly fifty miles with an aeroplane guiding her, and reached the Lancaster five hours later, only to find that H.M.

Sloop Welcome, which was-already at sea, had arrived just before her and rescued the men. When the, life-boat got back to her station at 2.25 next morning she had been at sea nearly eleven hours. (See page 218.).