MR. JOHN BOYD-CARPENTER, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, has awarded the shield for the best wreck service of the year to be held jointly by the rocket coast life saving companies of Sea Palling and Winterton. Norfolk.

At 5.25 on the morning of Sunday, 13th of February, 1955, the Norfolk coastguard called out the rocket coast life saving companies of Sea Palling and Winterton to rescue the crew of 18 of the French trawler, St. Pierre Eglise, which had stranded at Waxham.

It was dark and bitterly cold and a strong north-east wind was blowing, with frequent snow squalls, and a heavy sea and swell were running.

When the coastguard on duty at Happisburgh saw red distress flares fired by the vessel he was unable to tell from their bearings whether the vessel was actually ashore. The coastguard- in-charge set out by motor cycle to investigate. After a hazardous jour- ney over icy roads he found her two miles south of Palling.

Wind Increasing In the meantime the Palling com- pany had assembled and hurried to the scene. The flood tide had just begun and the wind was increasing. The first rocket to be fired reached the vessel, but because of her distance from the shore and the incoming tide the Palling rescue gear was found to be too short. Before the crew could be told that a larger set had been sent for they lowered a boat, into which seven of them jumped, and were hauled ashore by the Palling company, who had to wade into the sea to bring them in.

While the Wintertoii company, with larger equipment, was on its way, four members of the trawler's crew donned life-jackets and began to swim ashore.

They were brought in by the Palling men, and through one of the rescued men the crew still on board were advised to stay there until further life saving gear arrived. The Winterton company reached the scene at nine o'clock, and both companies working together brought the remaining seven members of the crew safely ashore.

Sudden Storm At noon three days later, when the crew was attempting to lighten the vessel and refloat her, a sudden storm blew up. A towing wire caused the trawler to heel over and to ship heavy seas. Fourteen people were on board and H.M. Coastguard were asked for assistance. Caister life-boat was stand- ing by but was unable to approach the vessel, and the Winterton company was called out. When the company reached the scene the wind had gained gale force and was accompanied by almost continuous snow. It was very cold and rough seas were breaking over the vessel. Just before two in the afternoon the first rocket was fired, the breeches buoy secured and the first man brought safely ashore by 2.15.

The last man was brought off by 5.15.

On both occasions the rescuers had to wade time and time again into icy seas and heavy surf in order to bring the men in.

Mr. B. Dobson, who was the coast- guarcl-in-charge of Happisburgh and took part in these rescues, died on the 7th of June, 1955..