(continued from page 270) away and, on the first attempt to launch through the heavy surf, the boat was thrown back broadside on to the beach.

With perseverance, however, the crew managed to get through the surf and then set course through 8 to 9 foot breaking seas to search the area a mile down the coast to the south.

Handling the ILB with great skill, Ben Usher was conducting a saw-tooth search, running in with the surf at an angle of 45 degrees and coming away from the shore directly into the seas, when a police officer on shore sighted a child and indicated that the boat should search further south and to seaward.

After another short search the crew saw the girl—she was about ten years old—rise on the crest of a wave and slide into a trough, but, as they approached her the boat was thrown away by a sea. As she looked in pretty poor shape, Terry Dawson jumped over the side and supported her while the ILB made a second approach. She was lifted inboard, given artificial respiration, Terry Dawson was helped back and the ILB returned to the shore with the child safe. The fourth child had not drifted so far off shore and had been recovered by men wading in from the beach.

For their part in this rescue Ben Usher and Terry Dawson were awarded the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum.

But that is not the end of the story.

The little girl's grandmother was the chairman of a ladies' guild in Hull, and Ben and Terry received wonderful letters from her. Full circle. The lifeboat service helping the people who in turn give it their loyal support. It is part of the community, as is the police force.

No wonder the bonds between the two bodies are close..