Four coxswains whose outstanding acts of gallantry were recognised by the award of medals died during the past year. Among them was the holder of an exceptional number of medals, COXSWAIN CHARLES AMBROSE (JOE) JOHNSON, who joined the crew of the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston life-boat in 1907 and was appointed coxswain in February 1934, in which position he served until he retired at the end of 1946. He was the holder of no fewer than five medals for gallantry. He was awarded the silver medal in 1941 for the part which he played in one of the most remarkable combined rescue operations in the history of the Life-boat Service. In August of that year six steamers forming part of a convoy of merchant ships went aground on the Haisborough Sands. From these ships the Cromer no. 1 life-boat rescued 88 men, the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston life-boat under Coxswain Johnson 23 men and the Cromer no. 2 boat eight men. In 1922 Coxswain Johnson was awarded the bronze medal and he was awarded successive clasps to this medal for services in 1938, 1940 and 1941..