Some years ago a Miss Maud Smith left a sum of money to the Institution so that a gift of £5, to be known as the 'Miss Maud Smith award for courage, in memory of John, Seventh Earl of Hardwicke', might be made each year to the member of the life-boat crew who, in the opinion of the Committee of Management, performed the bravest act of life saving.

The latest award has been made to Coxswain John R. Nicolson, of the Aith, Shetlands, life-boat, in recognition of his courage and great determination on 19th February, 1967, when the crew of 12 of the trawler Juniper were rescued (THE LIFE-BOAT, September, 1967, page 208)..