WHEN the Duchess of Kent, President of the Institution, made a tour of Corn- wall in May, she visited the life-boat station at Penlee. She was received there by Mr. Barrie Bennetts, M.B.E., the honorary secretary, who holds the Institution's gold badge for long and distinguished service, Coxswain Edwin Madron, who won the silver medal for the service to H.M.S. War spite in 1947, the motor mechanic, John B.

Drew, who won the bronze rnedal for the same service, and the other mem- bers of the crew, were presented to the Duchess. Standing on the slip- way, the Duchess then saw the life-boat launched. On her return to London her private secretary wrote to thank Mr. Bennetts and told him how pleased the Duchess had been to meet him and "to have a few words with the very gallant members of the life-boat crew," and how warmly she had appreciated "the very happy visit.".