THE portrait on the cover is of Coxswain Walter Jonas Oxley of Walton and Frinton, who has been coxswain since the beginning of 1947. Before that he served as bowman for nearly four years and as second coxswain for more than ten years. While he was second cox- swain he was awarded the bronze medal for gallantry for a service in the early months of the last war, when the barge Estrel went aground in an easterly gale.

The barge's crew of three were rescued with great difficulty, the coxswain, T. H.

Bloom, being awarded the silver medal.

The photograph is reproduced by courtesy of Mr. B. Farndon..