'1974 —A YEAR OF TRIUMPH' — His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, President RNLITHE WORD WHICH SEEMS to have been most readily used by people describing the RNLI's annual general meeting in 1975 was 'moving'. On page 30 we publish a letter in which the writer describes how she, 'a case-hardened journalist', was moved 'quite genuinely to tears'. To anyone of any sensibility the occasion must have been moving, with the reading of matter-of-fact, unvarnished accounts of the bravery of ordinary men and women and the recognition of the voluntary help given, without hope or thought of reward, by children, by the old and the frail and by active people in the prime of life.

The day started at the Royal Festival Hall with the gathering of medallists and their families on the forecourt, overlooking the River Thames, while the governors of the RNLI met inside for their annual general meeting; it continued after lunch with the presentations of awards, before a 'full house' audience, by the President of the RNLI, His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent; and ended with tea, when the President joined in the throngs of lifeboat people talking in the Festival Hall's foyer.

Each year, this is a day of reunions, and perhaps the happiest meeting of 1975 was that between two coxswains awarded the silver medal for gallantry in 1974, Coxswain Albert Bird of Aberdeen and Coxswain 'Ben' Tart of Dungeness; their story is told on page 3.

Presenting his report of 1974, 'The Year of the Lifeboat', to the governors at the morning meeting, Commander F. R. H. Swann, CBE RNVR, Chairman of the Committee of Management, said: 'It was a record year operationally with over 2,800 launches on service. We claim to have saved nearly 1,400 lives and our lifeboats rendered assistance, mostly by towing, to nearly a thousand small craft. It was a very arduous year with exceptionally bad weather in the late summer and autumn. During the great gale on the second Saturday in September we had 25 lifeboats at sea at the same time between Harwich and the Isle of Wight. Many of them were called out two or three times that day. During the year 23 medals were awarded for gallantry.

Commander Swann went on to speak of the part played by the Institution as an important member of the Government Search and Rescue Committee and its close co-operation with HM Coastguard; of the operations room which will beincorporated in the new Headquarters at Poole to improve operational control; and of the appointment of a training officer and the establishment of a mobile training caravan to provide more advanced training for lifeboat crews.

He continued: 'We had several serious accidents to lifeboats during the year but I am glad to say that no lifeboatman lost his life.

The first Arun class boat built of GRP is commissioning and will be shown at the International Lifeboat Conference at Helsinki in June. This class can be considered a well tried one by now and a great success. We have two further GRP boats of the class on order. The Atlantic 21 is also a great success and we have a number building. We have also given a self-righting capability to a considerable number of old lifeboats, either by structural alterations or by fitting them with air bags, so that we-are only about 30 boats short of our target of a virtually self-righting fleet.' Reviewing shore works, Commander Swann reported that the pen for a 44' Waveney lifeboat at Whitby was complete, that Fleetwood was making slow progress due to engineering difficulties, but that the new houses for the crew at Spurn Point were coming along well.

No further major shore works were contemplated at present.

Commander Swann then turned to fund raising, commenting that 'The Year of the Lifeboat' had without doubt brought the Institution to the notice of everyone in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland and had caused great enthusiasm among RNLI supporters; he also paid tribule to the debt owed to the press, radio and television whose reporting of the RNLI had been extensive and scrupulously fair.

Revenue from branches and guilds had increased in 1974 by over 30%.

Legacy income at just under £2 million was much the same as for the previous year. The total increase in revenue was just over £800,000. Unfortunately costs had increased by the same amount so that the income and expenditure accounts were practically in balance. The surplus of £275,000 shown in the accounts represented the increased amount transferred from restricted funds as compared with the previous year.

Commander Swann continued: 'I have often pointed out the inadequacy of our free reserves. It now costs about £5 million per annum to run the RNLI, rising all the time, whilst our free reserves, now about £1J million, tend to decline.' Turning to the current year, Commander Swann spoke of the good headway being made by the membership scheme: there are now 2,800 governors and a total of 23,000 members, bringing in an annual revenue of £132,000. The new Head Office building at Pooleshould be ready next October, but because of the present financial situation, a modified and less expensive scheme will have to be considered for the Depot site.

Commander Swann concluded: 'The RNLI is in good repute in Great Britain and in Ireland. Morale is high, the main problem is financial. We are affected by economic circumstances over which we have no control. The current high rate of inflation is causing our costs to rise dramatically whilst the effect on our income is uncertain. And this at a time when our free reserves are only equivalent to a few weeks' expenditure.

It is a worrying situation.

'Finally I must thank the staff of the Institution for their loyal support and splendid efforts in "The Year of the Lifeboat". It has been a very busy time for everyone, with many very memorable occasions.' The report and accounts for the year 1974 were adopted almost without comment.

The Duke of Kent was then re-elected as president, the vice-presidents elected and the Duke of Northumberland reelected as treasurer: all unanimously.

In the reappointment of the auditors, Price Waterhouse and Co., particular thanks were expressed to Mr C. H.

Bailey for the great personal interest he takes in RNLI affairs and his invaluable advice.

In general discussion at the end of the meeting there were a number of suggestions made from the floor: That meetings should be held, perhaps biennially, of operational honorary secretaries, and also that there should be a chain of command at inshore lifeboat stations (Dr I .T.

McLachlan, Eastney); and that a lifeboat due to be sold out of the service should first spend a year on fund raising projects up and down the Thames (Mr Brightwell, Reading, seconded by Mr Gothard, Henley-on-Thames). It was agreed that all the ideas put forward should be given careful consideration.

Mr M. L. Thomas (Langley) asked whether the names of governors and members were passed to branches, as nobody had contacted him or asked for help. In reply, Captain Nigel Dixon, Director RNLI, said that there are a large number of governors and members who are prepared to support the Institution but who wish to preserve their anonymity; however, a new form of application for membership would be devised so worded that those people willing to be contacted by local branches can indicate that this is their wish. Existing governors and members would have to be circularised.

There being no other business the meeting was concluded.

The Festival Hall was crowded for the afternoon presentation of awards, to be made by the President, HRH The Duke of Kent, and, as the seats filled up, it was particularly pleasing to see, among the lifeboat people, representatives of such good friends as the Chelsea Pensioners, the Scouts and the Girl Guides. Nine Members of Parliament, from maritime towns whence came some of the medallists, were there, too, in support of their constituents, including the Rt. Hon.

Jeremy Thorpe (Clovelly lifeboat station) and the Rt. Hon. James Prior (Lowestoft lifeboat station).

Commander Swann welcomed the Duke of Kent, saying how particularly delighted the Institution was that he had honoured it with his presence at a meeting when the RNLI was looking back not only on the history of one year but also the history of 150 years.

Commander Swann said that he himself felt proud and honoured to have been chairman during the great year of 'The Year of the Lifboat', and he paused to consider some of the changes that had occurred since he had become a memberof the Committee of Management 22 years ago: 'The report which was then presented to the annual general meeting told a very different story from that of 1974. The cost of the lifeboat service was still under £J million. Of the active fleet of more than 150 lifeboats not one had a speed of more than 9 knots, and the report said that "as an experiment" direction rinding apparatus had been fitted to two lifeboats. The Waveney, Arun and Rother lifeboats did not exist, the first Oakley self-righting lifeboat had not yet been built, and there was no such thing as an inflatable ILB, nor indeed the Atlantic 21 such as the one given us by the Girl Guides Association which is on display outside this hall.

'I think, therefore, we can truthfully say that during these last two decades there have been greater advances in lifeboat technology and design than in any other comparable period in the RNLI's long history. Matching this progress has been the tremendous growth in the support which the RNLI has received from the public as a whole and from its voluntary workers in particular. Last year the cost of the service was not far short of £5 million, yet we managed to achieve a surplus.

At the meeting 22 years ago, when the cost was under £J million, there was in fact a deficit.' Commander Swann spoke of the close co-operation and friendly working relations which the RNLI, a voluntary body, enjoyed with governmental and other bodies engaged in the task of search and rescue at sea, and greeted Mr Peter Shore, Secretary of State for the Department of Trade, and Lieut. Commander John Douglas, Chief Inspector of Coastguard, both of whom would be making presentations to the RNLI.

Referring to current events, Commander Swann welcomed the two ladies elected that morning to the Committee of Management. Both had worked very hard for the Institution: Lady Norton as chairman of the Central London women's committee and Mrs Keen as chairman of Kidderminster branch and vice-chairman of the central appeals committee. He then announced that the central appeals committee would be holding its final meeting later that afternoon. It had been formed at the suggestion of Mr Norman Crumbie after the Institution had incurred a deficit of nearly £i million in 1967; since then the committee had raised a total of £250,000. It was due to its initiative that the Scout and Girl Guide Associations undertook projects to raise funds to pay for new lifeboats. The Girl Guides, with an initial target of £5,000, finally presented the Institution with a cheque in excess of £25,000; the Scouts raised nearly £100,000. Finally, Commander Swann announced that the 'Lifeboat Service Memorial Book', prepared at the inspiration of Lord Saltoun and an anonymous benefactor, and containing the names of members of lifeboat crews and others who had lost their lives whilst going to the help ofpeople in distress at sea, was on display in the foyer. He concluded: 'I now have the greatest pleasure in inviting His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, to address you as your President.' Seldom can a president, when he rose to give his address, have been more in accord with his people: 'For the lifeboat service 1974 was a year of triumph. I see no point in mincing words or concealing facts. Although in our national life as a whole the year was one of much doubt and anxiety, and even a little despondency, yet during this year the RNLI had a record of sustained and brilliant achievement.' Reviewing the operational record, the Duke pointed out that the total number of people saved from death at sea since the RNLI began to keep detailed records about a century and a quarter ago was very nearly 100,000. He continued: 'In 1974, as you are all aware, the Institution celebrated the 150th anniversary of its foundation. Sometimes people suggest we should not emphasize our past over much but rather concentrate on telling of our modern technological progress. I see no contradiction whatever in emphasizing the importance of both these factors. The history of the lifeboat service is to a considerable extent that of the steady progress made in the methods whereby men may combat the forces of nature.

This progress takes the form of new designs, equipment, communications and materials. All this is supremely important now and will continue to be so in the future. Nevertheless, it is a fact that you can go out and buy products of advanced technology, but you cannot buy 150 years of history and experience.' When the immediate applause of unanimous agreement had died down, the Duke went on to recall some of the outstanding events of 1974, and continued: 'In our celebrations of the past we were in a sense also looking ahead by using the anniversary year to build up the strength of the service. For this strength lies in the personal support and participation which it attracts throughout Britain and Ireland. This is obtained largely through the dedication of our lifeboat crews and the efforts of our voluntary branches and guilds, for whose work during The Year of the Lifeboat' no praise can be high enough.

'1974 was a year also which called forth almost superhuman achievement in the field of fund raising when a total of £4,162,000 was brought in from all sources, which represents an increase of 20% on the previous year. It would be wrong I think to single out the work and generosity of any one branch or individual, civic authority or organisation, company or business house, but I feel I must say how pleased I have been personally by the widespread help given to the RNLI last year by young people, by Scouts, Guides, schools and a great many others. The enthusiasm they showed and their understanding of the nature and needs of the service must surely give us much encouragement for the future.' 'Our anniversary year was also a year of triumph of planning, for which our staff should, I feel, receive due credit.

Credit also should be given to your governing body, the Committee of Management.' The Duke then announced with regret that the Chairman, Commander Ralph Swann, would be retiring later this year: 'Commander Swann has served the RNLI with a dedication and expertise of which thousands in the service are aware and I am happy to be able to announce that as a tribute the Committee of Management has decided that a new lifeboat shall bear his name . . .' The warmth of the applause which met these words left no doubt of the general approval and pleasure with which they were received . . .

'It is particularly appropriate that this boat should be one of the 44' Waveney class, for Commander Swann played such an important part in introducing this class of lifeboat into the RNLI fleet.' Speaking of the formidable financial challenges of the future, the Duke ended: 'In the present climate it is difficult to regard the immediate future with much equanimity, but 1974 has shown what can be achieved, particularly by those in the hall today and those whom you represent. For the future the resolve of all of us must, I believe, be to ensure that we maintain the standards we have set ourselves and that we be worthy of those who over the last century and a half served the RNLI with dedication, skill, courage, compassion and, where the occasion demanded it, readiness to give their own lives. I am confident that with that resolve we shall make 1975 another year of success for our great Institution.' The Chairman then invited the President, HRH The Duke of Kent, to make the presentations for gallantry: Motor Mechanic Barry Pike, Torbay: silver medal On October 5, 1973, Torbay ILB went to the aid of a woman in the sea off Meadfoot Beach. Very rough seas and shoal water prevented the ILB from closing the casualty's estimated position, but Motor Mechanic Barry Pike, sighting the woman's body, immediately jumped overboard to her rescue. Rough seas threw him on to the beach but, although exhausted, he re-entered the sea several times until, in a state of complete collapse himself, he succeeded in bringing the woman's body ashore; it was then found she was already dead as a result of a severe head injury.

Coxswain Tom Richard Tart, Dungeness: silver medal Assistant Mechanic Peter Edward Thomas, Dungeness: bronze medal On February 11, 1974, Dungeness lifeboat Mabel E. Holland was launched across the beach in the worst conditions ever experienced at the station to land an injured man from MV Merc Texco.

There was a south-south-westerly hurricane blowing. On reaching Merc Texco the lifeboat had to manoeuvre alongside on two occasions before the injured man could be taken off, with the help of Assistant Mechanic Peter Thomas who had volunteered to board Merc Texco.

Coxswain Albert Bird, Aberdeen: silver medal Motor Mechanic Ian Jack, Aberdeen: silver medal On April 13, 1974, lifeboat Hilton Briggs, on temporary duty at Aberdeen, rescued the crew of 12 from the trawler Nettct Croon. Netta Croan was circling out of control, burning fiercely over the entire stern so that her crew could neither stop her engines nor steer her.

Approaching the trawler, Coxswain Albert Bird handed the wheel over to Motor Mechanic Ian Jack and positioned himself to command both deck and helm operations. The lifeboat came alongside at full speed and the crew were taken off within a minute. Throughout the whole operation the lifeboat was under threat of fire, explosion and the possibility of being rammed by the trawler.

Helmsman Edward B. Brown, New Brighton: silver medal Crew Member Robin Middleton, New Brighton: silver medal Shortly after midnight on June 8,1974, New Brighton ILB launched to the aid of MFV E.B.H. anchored on a sandbank in a confused sea and a strong westerly wind. As the ILB attempted to veer down to her, the fishing vessel's cable parted and she drifted towards a submerged groyne. Helmsman Edward Brown drove the ILB over the groyne on to the deck of the listing vessel and rescued two of her crew. An injured man still remained, and Crew Member Robin Middleton jumped on board to rescue him. Shortly afterwards the fishing vessel broke up.

Coxswain/Mechanic John H. W. Martin, Hastings: silver medal Second Coxswain George Douglas White, Hastings: bronze medal On September 27, 1974, lifeboat Jane Hay on temporary duty at Hastings rescued the crew of three of MFV Simon Peter in a violent storm force southwesterly wind and a very rough sea. The lifeboat had to close the vessel twice before the rescue could be effected, Second Coxswain George White having to lean across to the casualty to make fast the headrope, risking being crushed as the boats came together in the heavy seas.

Doctor Peter Davy, Hastings: silver medal On December 23, 1974, lifeboat Jane Hay on temporary duty at Hastings launched with the station honorarymedical adviser, Dr Peter Davy, on board to go to the help of Argentinian warship Candida de Lasala which had suffered an explosion. While being transferred from the lifeboat to a helicopter Dr Davy was swung against the stern of the lifeboat and then washed into the sea. Despite suffering from seven broken ribs, he refused medical attention until he had tended the injured on the warship.

Coxswain Kenneth Gibbs, Torbay: bronze medal On December 16, 1973, Torbay lifeboat Princess Alexandra of Kent rescued the sole crew member of Guernsey fishing vessel Petit Michel in a westnorth- westerly gale and very rough seas.

As it was too dangerous to appioach the vessel from leeward, Coxswain Kenneth Gibbs brought the lifeboat around to the windward side, and a lifejacket was passed to the casualty.

Storm oil was sprayed to reduce the wave crests, and the survivor was able to jump and be pulled aboard the lifeboat at the first attempt.

Staff Coxswain Michael Stafford Houchen, Clovelly: bronze medal On February 6, 1974, Clovelly lifeboat Charles H. Barrett (Civil Service No. 35) went to the aid of a trawler, St Pierre, reported sinking 26 miles from Hartland Point. When sighted she did not appear to be in immediate danger of sinking and Staff Coxswain Michael Houchen felt that it would be best to tow her, with the crew aboard, to an anchorage off Lundy Island. At the third attempt a tow was passed. Two hours later in the steep seas of Lundy Race, the trawler's transom was stove in and both vessels were in danger of broaching. A safe anchorage was reached, the trawler pumped out and she was then towed on to Ilfracombe.

Crew Member Trevor Fryer, Tynemouth: bronze medal Crew Member Frederick Arkley, Tynemouth: bronze medal On March 10, 1974, Tynemouth ILB launched in a gale force easterly wind and rough seas to help the tug Northsider driven on to rocks while trying to assist a grounded oil exploration vessel; she was being swept by breaking seas.

A young boy was taken off and transferred to the ILB station. When the ILB returned, escorted by Tynemouth lifeboat, she found the tug driven under the cliffs and in danger of breaking up.

Three attempts were made to go alongside the rolling tug before the three crew members were successfully taken off.

Coxswain/Mechanic Thomas Victor Knott, Lowestoft: bronze medal Second Coxswain Peter Gibbons, Lowestoft: bronze medal On April 13, 1974, lifeboat Canadian Pacific on temporary duty at Lowestoft launched to help the yacht Sarina which, with a crew of four on board, was dragging her anchor and aground in heavy surf. The wind was strong to gale with large breaking waves. The lifeboat grounded twice as she approached, but Second Coxswain Peter Gibbons succeeded in jumping aboard the yacht, which was towed stern first to deeper water and then back to harbour.

Helmsman Mervyn Lloyd Thomas, New Quay: bronze medal On July 30, 1974, New Quay ILB launched to help a small power boat which had broken down and, with her owner still on board, was anchored near dangerous rocks at the foot of cliffs.

Two of her crew had swum ashore; one was safe on the cliff top but the other was stranded, exhausted, on a rock. In a strong wind and rough sea, HelmsmanMervyn Thomas anchored the ILB and then went astern in to the cliffs, first under power and then under oars. The man on the rocks was helped aboard and, as the owner refused to leave the power boat, New Quay lifeboat was called out and towed her to safety.

Crew Member David Eilian Williams, Aberdovey: bronze medal Jayne Edmunds: inscribed wrist watch On August 10, 1974, Aberdovey ILB launched to search for a man reported fallen overboard from a cabin cruiser crossing Dovey Bar in a strong westnorth- westerly wind and a rough sea.

Found clutching a lifejacket and suffering from shock and exposure, he was the owner of Lady Jane which had subsequently been wrecked on a sandbank; three children who had been on board were still in the sea, The ILB could not reach them because of the shallow water, so Crew Member David Williams waded and swam to the children, and with the help of another crew member, brought them ashore.

It was later learned that the oldest child, Jayne Edmunds, aged 11, had thrown the lifejacket to her father when he fell overboard. She had also fired the distress signals, instructed her friends to put on lifejackets and had supported one of them in the water after their boat was wrecked.Helmsman Sydney S. R. Thayers, Eastney: bronze medal Operational Swimmer William Charles Hawkins, Eastney: bronze medal Crew Member Dennis Faro, Eastney: bar to his bronze medal After flares had been sighted on September 7, 1974, Eastney ILB launched in very difficult conditions caused by storm force winds and very rough seas. Despite the extreme weather, she made for the casualty at full speed, with the help of directions from the Coastguard, and found it to be a motor cruiser with a man and his 11-year-old son on board, suffering from shock and exposure. They were taken on board the ILB after great difficulty. The return to harbour was very slow because of steep seas and zero visibility.

Coxswain G. J. Jones, Porthdinllaen: bronze medal Eric Jones, Porthdinllaen, inscribed wrist watch On September 20,1974, a report wasreceived that two people were missing from a boat. Coxswain Griffiths Jones was on leave, but he and his 14-year-old son Eric watched the launch of Porthdinllaen lifeboat. Eric then sighted a man on an isolated rock and he, his father and another man, launched and manned the station boarding boat. In a confused sea, Coxswain Jones had to negotiate extremely narrow channels between the rocks to reach the stranded man, who, shocked and exhausted, was pulled into the boarding boat by Eric Jones.

Coxswain/Mechanic John Bryan, Great Yarmouth and Gorleston: bar to his bronze medal On December 13, 1974, Great Yarmouth and Gorleston lifeboat Khami rescued the crew of five of MV Biscaya and a crew member of salvage tug Titan in a north-north-westerly storm and very high seas. Biscaya, which had been in collision with another vessel, was listing with her steering gear out of action. When the list increased to 45° three of the crew took to the liferaft and were picked up by the lifeboat. Hampered by the increasing list and heavy swell the remaining crew were taken off by the lifeboat only three minutes before Biscaya finally sank.

Since the last annual presentations of awards meeting the Committee of Management has awarded five honorary life governorships and 15 gold badges to honorary workers for long and distinguished service. Presentations were made at the Festival Hall by the Duke of Kent to all but Mrs E. P. Hill, who was unfortunately unable to be there, and the late Mr A. W. Hawkes and Mr W. C.

Prethero.

HONORARY LIFE GOVERNOR Mrs H. D. Ford Lifeboat day organiser for Margate station branch, 1940 to 1955; founded Margate guild, 1955; guild honorary secretary, 1955 to 1972; retired from guild and joined Margate station branch committee, 1972; branch lifeboat day organiser, 1974.

Mrs Ford is wholly dedicated to the lifeboat service, having been actively involved in fund raising since 1940. She has recently again taken on the task of lifeboat day organiser and attained a new record for the Margate street collection.

Mrs G. F. Newman Committee member and lifeboat week organiser ofHounslow branch since 1937; chairman since 1967.

A most enthusiastic and hard working supporter of the lifeboat service, Mrs Newman has held many offices with the Hounslow branch since first joining the committee in 1937. She continues to give magnificent support to the Institution, the proof being in the continued rise in revenue in her area.

Mr F. W. H. Park, MBE Honorary secretary of Torbay station since 1948.

Mr Park, well known in the Torbay area, has carried out his job as honorary secretary in a reliable and enthusiastic manner. He has given outstanding service to the RNLI over many years.

Mr R. K. Sayer, MBE Honorary secretary of Newhaven station since 1936.

Mr Sayer has given devoted service to the RNLI since 1936, as shown by the efficiently run station where he is greatly respected.

Mr A. P. Weaver, MBE Crew member of Bembridge station branch, 1921 to 1936; assistant mechanic, 1937 to 1951; head launcher, 1952 to 1956; station honorary secretary since 1956.

Mr Weaver has dedicated a lifetime of service to the Institution. His enthusiasm and devotion to duty hold the respect and admiration of all who come in contact with him, and the Institution owes him a great debt for his invaluable work over so many years.

GOLD BADGE Miss A. Ainsworth Honorary secretary of Darwen branch since 1947.

Miss Ainsworth is an extremely active honorary secretary, carrying everyone along with her enthusiasm. It is largely due to her dedication and energy that a steady revenue is maintained in her area.

Mr K. E. Mooring Aldridge Honorary treasurer of Weymouth station branch, 1940 to 1950; honorary secretary since 1951.

Mr Aldridge has given conscientious and devoted service to the Institution over very many years. His name is synonymous with lifeboats in the Weymouth community.

Mr C. F. Baker, JP Joint honorary secretary of Eastbourne station branch, 1949 to 1953; honorary secretary since 1953.

Mr Baker has given 25 years devoted and valuable service to the Institution and in particular to the Eastbourne station branch, where he is considered to be an outstanding honorary secretary.

Mr R. W. Berkeley, CBE JP Committee member of Belfast branch since 1940; chairman of Northern Ireland 1974 committee.

Mr Berkeley has for many years organised a docks collection; he is also a regular subscriber to and supporter of this successful branch. As chairman of the Northern Ireland 1974 committee he was personally responsible for a major portion of the effort which went into this 150th Anniversary appeal.

Mrs Q. H. Boutwood Honorary secretary of Stanmore branch since 1949.

Mrs Boutwood has been responsible for running this active branch and has worked unstintingly during the past 25 years. Her drive and enthusiasm resulted in the 1974 lifeboat collection being the highest ever.

Mrs J. S. Goddard Honorary treasurer of Mottram and Broadbottom guild since 1945; chairman since 1973.

Mrs Goddard has been a most loyal and devoted worker who for many years has been the main force on the committee.

It is largely due to her enthusiasm that the guild has continued to flourish.

The late Mr A. W. Hawkes Committee member of Ipswich branch since 1937; branch publicity officer.

Mr Hawkes had given long and enthusiastic service to the Institution, personally raising many hundreds of pounds, giving talks to various organisations and also making and selling 'novelty boats in bottles', the proceeds of which go into branch funds.

Mrs E. P. Hill Honorary secretary of Gourock guild since 1954.

Mrs Hill has been the mainstay of the Gourock guild since 1954. The guild revenue has climbed annually in a most encouraging manner and, despite poor health, Mrs Hill continues to work'as hard as ever for the Institution.

Mr J. Newman Committee member of Hounslow branch since 1937; appeals secretary since 1967.

Mr Newman is a most loyal and hard working supporter of the lifeboat service, together with his wife, who was present to receive the honorary life governors' vellum. Their dedication to the lifeboat cause is well known.

Mr W. Penry Williams Auditor of Caernarvon branch since 1939; honorary treasurer since 1940.

Mr Penry Williams has been auditor from the establishment of Caernavon branch in 1939; the 'father' of this keen and energetic branch, he is a much loved and respected member. Although not a young man, he is still firmly in the saddle as honorary treasurer.

The late Mr W. C. Prethero Committee member of Barry station branch since 1934.

Mr Prethero had been an 'honorary' member of Barry ladies' guild throughout its existence. He first started to collect for the Institution when he was 12, and later became a member of the crew of the pulling lifeboat John Wesley.

Until his death he regularly attended the station branch committee meetings, also helping the guild at all its special efforts and flag days.Mrs H. Slater Honorary secretary of Ramsbottom branch since 1949.

Mrs Slater is a very hard working and enthusiastic honorary secretary, a position she has held for 25 years. She has devoted a considerable amount of time and energy in support of the lifeboat service.

Mr T. Taylor Honorary secretary of Llandudno station branch since 1948.

Mr Taylor has been honorary secretary of this busy station branch for 26 years. Apart from carrying out these onerous duties he is very active in raising funds and it is mainly due to his enthusiasm that the revenue of the branch has steadily increased over the years.

Mr A. E. and Mrs M. Turner New Romney and Romney Marsh Branch. Mrs M. Turner: honorary treasurer, 1953 to 1957; honorary secretary since 1957. Mr A. E. Turner: honorary treasurer since 1957.

The New Romney and Romney Marsh branch was formed in 1953 when Mrs Turner was appointed honorary treasurer. She held this position until 1957 when she handed over to Mr Turner. Since then this husband and wife team have given wonderful service to the lifeboat Institution. For the past 18 years Mrs Turner has undertaken many speaking engagements to further the Institution's cause. Mr Turner accompanies her at these functions in order to illustrate the talks with his lifeboat slides.

The Duke of Kent then presented six special honorary awards made by the Committee of Management. At the Festival Hall to receive the honorary life governors' vellum awarded to the late Major Osman Gabriel was his daughter, Mrs J. M. Crawshaw.

HONORARY LIFE GOVERNOR Mr Jack Duvivier For his valued assistance and advice during his service of 40 years with Messrs Lewis and Duvivier, the Institution's consulting engineers.

The late Major Osman Gabriel For his generosity in donating the cost of two Rother class lifeboats stationed at Port Erin (Isle of Man) and Hoylake (Cheshire). His late wife, Mary Gabriel, also donated an Atlantic inshore lifeboat.

Sir Alec Rose, Kt For his valuable help in launching the Institution's membership scheme, his untiring efforts as chairman of the Hampshire Rose appeal and his many other activities in support of the RNLI.

Vice-Admiral Thomas R. Sargent HI.

USCG (Retd) For his invaluable influence and assistance in developing and maintaining the excellent relationship that exists between the RNLI and the US Coast Guard.

THANKS OF THE INSTITUTION INSCRIBED ON VELLUM Sir Hugh Wontner, GBE cvo For his help and support during the 150th Anniversary Year (1974) while Lord Mayor of London.

GOLD BADGE Mr R. L. Osborn, MBE For his long and distinguished service with the Civil Service and Post Office Lifeboat Fund, organising the collections throughout the Civil Service in support of the RNLI.

STATUETTE Sergeant Frank Elverson For his considerable practical support as a collector on London flag days and also at the London Internationa! Boat Shows.

Next followed another of the many happy events of the day: the presentation to the President by Lieut. Commander J. A. Douglas, MBE RN, Chief Inspector of HM Coastguard, of an inscribed plaque from Her Majesty's Coastguard inscribed: 'Presented to the Royal National Life-boat Institution on the occasion of their 150th Anniversary as a tribute to their splendid record of saving life at sea 1824-1974'.

Commander Swann then called upon the Right Honourable Peter Shore, Secretary of State for the Department of Trade, to propose the resolution. In doing so, Mr Shore spoke of the voluntary spirit of the RNLI: 'It is indeed a great pleasure and a privilege for me today to pay tribute to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution on behalf of Her Majesty's Government on completion of its 150th year of splendid service to humanity.

'It may seem superfluous at a gathering of this kind to refer to the maritime tradition of this country . . . For Britain, the sea has always been—and will continue to be—the great source of national strength and security. Nowadays it is more important to us than ever from a commercial and industrial standpoint and more of our people, of course, go to sea for pleasure; so that our need for an effective and dedicated search and rescue service is greater than ever before.

'It is well known that it is the obligation of all who are at sea to come to the aid, when required, of those in peril on the sea. It is only right that this brotherhood in adversity should extend to our shore-based rescue services whether these are voluntary, as with your Institution and the Auxiliary Coastguard, or whether they are publicly financed like the regular Coastguard and the armed services.

'The voluntary basis of the RNLI is sometimes questioned. But one has only to know our coastal towns and villages to realise how the voluntary spirit commands the loyalty of so many steadfast and courageous people who are members of the lifeboat crew. The red letters on the blue sweater are rightly looked upon as a sort of red badge of courage. And the lifeboatmen have the full support of all the many other voluntary workers all over the country who raise the funds which become ever more essential to support a modern lifeboat service.

'And it is increasingly a modern service: various new types of inshore and conventional boats are coming into operation, though more are needed. The desire to help our fellow men is something which it is surely right to harness to the cause of saving life at sea.' Speaking of the need for good coordination between the RNLI, other ships and small craft, helicopters, longrange aircraft and the coast radio stations of the Post Office, which is the job of the Department of Trade, Mr Shore said: 'Although past performance is for the most part highly successful and praiseworthy, we have, over the past year, been reviewing the whole of our search and rescue services. And, of course, the representatives of your Institution have played a most valuable part in this new thinking.

'I am not yet in a position to announce the new developments which will follow this review but there is an emphasis on the need for even closer collaboration than in the past. A clearer definition has emerged of the nature of the co-ordinating role of the Coastguard and the obligations of all parties in the search and rescue services.

'In particular, we are now examining, in the closest collaboration and accord with your Committee and the officials of the Institution, ways in which the planning and operational functions of the Coastguard and this Institution can be brought more closely together. The object is to see that all our resources— and indeed those of other arms of the search and rescue services—are developed and used as effectively as possible.

'I would emphasize that, as envisaged, these developments would be fully consistent with the voluntary basis of your Institution. I believe that in this country we have a special talent for bringing together our voluntary and state-financed services in a smooth and fully cost-effective way.' Mr Shore then said it was his pleasant duty to inform the Institution that congratulations had been expressed in both Houses of Parliament to the Institution on the attainment of its 150th Anniversary. Then, having moved the resolution: That this meeting fully recognising the important services of the Royal National Life-boat Institution in its national work of life-saving, desires to record its hearty appreciation of the gallantry of the coxswain and crews of the Institution's lifeboats, and its deep obligation to thelocal committees, honorary secretaries and honorary treasurers of all station branches; to all other voluntary committees and supporters and to the honorary officers and thousands of voluntary members of the financial branches and the ladies' lifeboat guilds in the work of raising funds to maintain the service.' . . . which was received with acclaim, Mr Shore presented to the Duke a magnificent silver salver inscribed: 'Presented by Her Majesty's Government to the Royal National Life-boat Institution on the occasion of its 150th anniversary in recognition of the many and valiant services rendered in saving life at sea, 1824-1974'... with the comment: 'Of all the many awards which have been given over many years for gallantry at sea, I am sure there has been none so richly deserved.' continued on page 21.