COXSWAIX J. A. ATKINSON died on the 17th of October, 1955, at the age of 76. He was coxswain of the Padstow no. 1 life-boat from 1929 until he retired in 1944. His earliest appoint- ment by the Institution was as mate of the tug Helen Peele in 1909. Four- teen years later he was promoted master.

He was awarded the bronze medal in 1929 for the rescue by the Helen Peele of the crew of the fishing boat Our Girlie..