FOR rescuing two men and a small girl from a capsized dinghy off Black More Point, a framed letter of thanks, signed by the Chairman of the R.N.L.I., Admiral Sir Wilfrid Woods, G.B.E., K.C.B., D.S.O., has been awarded to Raymond Court and Raymond Walker, and a letter, signed by the Secretary, Mr. Stirling Whorlow, O.B.E., has been sent to Captain John Campbell R.N.(retd), of T.S.

Formidable, National Nautical School, Portishead, Somerset, thanking him for his own services and those of Ronald Morris, Michael Edwards and Anthony Dowell.

Shortly after 11 a.m. on 27th July, 1967, an instructor at the National Nautical School noticed that a sailing dinghy had capsized and was drifting down with the tide towards the school about half a mile off shore.

Seeing that the crew appeared to be in difficulty, he called for volunteers from the canoe club, and Raymond Court, Raymond Walker and Ronald Morris, having put on life-jackets, launched a three-man PBK, 18-foot canoe.

The boys paddled for about 10 minutes across the tide before reaching the dinghy. All three survivors, who were wearing life-jackets, were clinging to the dinghy's bottom. The men were told that a cutter was on the way, and the girl was lifted into the canoe and placed between two of the boys.

When about 400 yards from the beach, and at the edge of the tidal race, the canoe was caught broadside on by a wave and capsized, throwing the occupants into the water. The girl was grabbed and the boys supported her clear of the waves by clasping their arms and putting her on their shoulders.

SWEPT DOWN CHANNEL The third boy endeavoured to right the canoe but was unable to do so. He therefore held on. Raymond Court, aged 16, and Raymond Walker, aged 17, then started to swim for the shore but because of the weight of the girl were frequently submerged. In this manner they were swept rapidly down channel.

Captain Campbell decided to go out himself in another similar canoe, and he took Michael Edwards and Anthony Dowell with him.

When Captain Campbell's canoe arrived at the scene Raymond Court and Raymond Walker, who were in the water supporting the girl, were most careful not to risk capsizing it by putting their hands on the canoe. After the girl had been lifted into the canoe the two boys swam clear. They continued swimming astern of the canoe helped by a stern painter which had been streamed from the canoe.

The pilot cutter then arrived and picked up the two men and three boys from the first canoe, while Captain Campbell's canoe landed the girl..