ONE of the most unusual reunions in the history of the Isle of Wight life-boat service took place in October when the directors of the Isle of Wight County Press entertained nineteen veterans of the old pulling and sailing life-boats to a dinner at Newport.

Mr. W. G. Sibbick, J.P., a director and consultant editor of the County Press, proposed the health of the veterans and said: "Those present were the immediate successors of those sturdy gallant pioneers (who had given their lives on life-boat service), inheriting their courage and devotion - carrying on undaunted until their hardened mus- cles and lusty lungs had at last to give way to the power of the petrol and diesel engine." Responding to his speech, Mr. G. F.

Mew said that he was the last surviving member of the crew of the Atherfield life-boat - the station was closed in 1915 - when he had joined he was the young- est and was now aged 84.

Not all those present were veterans in terms of ages. One of the youngest was Mr. H. Morris, aged 54, who served in the Brook life-boat until the station closed in 1937. He was accompanied by his father, Mr. J. Morris, aged 89.

Sir Charles Baring, guest of honour, President of the Isle of Wight Life-boat Board and a member of the Institution's Committee of Management, thanked the County Press for their generosity.

The veterans present were F. C.

Attrill (Bembridge), A. E. Baker (Bern- bridge), A. A. Buckett (Arreton), F.

Buckett (Downend, Newport), J. R.

Buckett (Brighstone), R. Cassell (Brook), H. Cooke (Freshwater), A. J.

and E. Cooper (Bembridge), W. R.

Cotton (Ryde), F. A. Downer (Brigh- stone), F. W. Holbrook (Bembridge), G. F. Mew, B.E.M. (Wootton), H. and J.

Morris (Brook), W. Newberry (Brook), H. Simmonds (Totland) and A. Woodford (Brook)..