THE portrait on the cover is of Coxswain Walter Crowther, of Plymouth.

He was appointed in 1939 after having served for more than nine years as second coxswain. In 1942 Coxswain Crowther was awarded the bronze medal for gallantry for rescuing the crew of two of a Sunderland flying boat of the Royal Australian Air Force. During his period of service Plymouth life-boats have been launched 87 times and rescued 75 lives. The photograph is reproduced by courtesy of the Western Morning News..