Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At eight o'clock on the evening of the 2nd of August, 1953, the coastguard reported that the S.S. Beaconsfield, of London, which was anchored about two miles east of the pier, had asked for a doctor to attend a sick man. At 8.30 the life-boat Greater London, Civil Service No. 3 was launched, with a doctor on board, in a slight sea and with a north- easterly breeze blowing. She took the doctor to the steamer, and after he had treated the patient, brought him back to Southend, arriving at 9.20.

At 1.45 on the afternoon of the next day the coastguard reported that the steamer had signalled that the man's temperature was still high and the doctor was needed again. At 2.10 the life-boat was launched again, and once more put the doctor aboard the steamer. This time he decided to land the patient, and the life-boat took the doctor and the patient, as well as the master of the ship, to Southend pier. She reached her station again at 2.40.—Rewards, 1st service, £7 10s.; 2nd service, £7..