Lifeboat People IN THE NEW YEAR HONOURS LIST the British Empire Medal was awarded to Alfred William Lacey, who has been the motor mechanic of Margate lifeboat since 1947; from 1940 to 1947 he served as assistant mechanic.

When, on January 15, M. Jacques de Folin, French Ambassador to Ireland, on behalf of the French Government made Mr J. E. de Courcy Ireland a Chevalier of the Ordre des Palmes Academiques, the last part of the official citation mentioned the work done by Mr de Courcy Ireland as honorary secretary of Dun Laoghaire lifeboat station to foster links between the lifeboat services in Ireland and France.

Dun Laoghaire has had regular contact with Boulogne Sur Mer and Ushant lifeboat stations for many years.

Mr Edward du Cann, MP for Taunton for 25 years and admiral of the House of Commons Sailing Club, has become president of Wellington branch.

Miss Hetty Hart, aged 101, and her brother emigrated with their family in 1920 from Walton-on-the-Naze to Santa Barbara, California, but never forgot the lifeboatmen they knew right back to the 1890s. Their uncle, Jim Spurgeon, was second mechanic of James Stevens No 14 when the pulling and sailing lifeboat was given an engine in 1905. When Miss Hart's brother died a few years ago, she sent a cheque in his memory to Walton and Frinton branch.

It is with deep regret that we announce the following deaths: October Isaac Clark, who served as a member of Runswick station branch for 59 years; as a shore helper from 1915 to 1920, as a crew member from 1920 to 1940 and as winchman from 1940 to 1974.

November Cecil Lancelot Grunnill, who served in Skegness lifeboats for 44 years; as crew member in the pulling and sailing lifeboat from 1921 to 1932 and as assistant mechanic from 1932 to 1965.

Mrs Grace Perrin of Skegness, aged 96, who was the wife of Coxswain George Perrin, 1932 to 1947, and the mother of Coxswain Wilfred Perrin, 1947 to 1965. Mrs Perrin was a founder member of Skegness ladies' guild and member of the station committee since 1943; she was awarded the silver badge in 1961.

December David Hiner, who joined Lewis and Duvivier, the Institution's consulting engineers, in 1966 to work exclusively on lifeboat station shore installations.

February Arthur Weaver, BEM, who was honorary secretary of Bembridge stationbranch from 1956 to 1980. Mr Weaver had joined Bembridge crew in 1921, and served as assistant mechanic from 1937 to 1951. He was head launcher from 1952 to 1956. He was given a public relations award in 1965 in conjunction with his wife, awarded binoculars in 1967, honorary life governorship in 1975 and the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum in 1980..