Margate, Kent.—At 3.26 on the after- noon of the 20th of November, 1952, the coastguard telephoned that two local fishermen reported seeing an American Shooting Star trainer air- craft crash about three miles north- east of Margate pier. At 3.45 the life-boat North Foreland, Civil Service No. XI, was launched and made for the position in a moderate sea with a moderate south-east breeze blowing.

The Dutch motor vessel Mercurius hailed the life-boat and told her that she had picked up the aircraft's crew of two, and that one was badly injured.

The life-boat wirelessed for a doctor and an ambulance to be ready, and the second coxswain went aboard the Mercurius to pilot her to Margate.

The Mercurius anchored off the har- bour and an American doctor arrived, took charge of the men, and using the life-boat's stretcher, took them ashore in the pilot boat. The life-boat was then no longer needed and returned to her station, arriving at 6.10.— Rewards, £11 14s. Qd..