SUNSHINE greeted lifeboat people from all parts of the country who began to gather on South Bank, by the River Thames, early on Tuesday May 11 for what was to be a most moving and memorable day.

It was a day which remembered the work of the lifeboatmen all round our islands who, in 1981, had launched on service 2,947 times, the highest number of services in any one year; and which remembered the work of the fund raisers who in the same year had backed up the lifeboat crews by achieving the highest total yet, nearly £14 million. It was a day when there would be a standing ovation following the presentation to their relatives of the gold medal awarded to the late Coxswain Trevelyan Richards of Penlee and the bronze medals awarded to each of his crew for the service to Union Star on December 19; and a second standing ovation following the presentation of the gold medal to Coxswain Michael Scales of St Peter Port and the bronze medal to each of his crew for the service to Bonita on December 13.

It was a day when appreciation of the fine quality of our young people was reflected in the prolonged applause for 14-year-old Daniel Norman who, by prompt, courageous and expert action had saved the life of a little girl. It was also a day when the loyalty of the Institution's voluntary crew members, fund raisers and committee members, often stretching back through several generations of the same family, would be remembered with pride and with gratitude.

On such a day, lifeboat people were most happy to have with them as their guest of honour for the presentation of awards meeting in the afternoon such an old and valued friend as Her Royal Highness Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester.

The day began with a very well attended annual general meeting of the Institution's governors held during the morning in the National Film Theatre.

After the Chairman, the Duke of Atholl, had welcomed the many governors present, and also the new members who had joined the Committee of Management since the previous year, the minutes of the meeting held on May 12, 1981, were agreed.

Before beginning his report, the Duke of Atholl invited the governors to rise in silent tribute to the lifeboatmen of Penlee who had died on December 19 - that was the event which was, he said, uppermost in everyone's mind.

After this silent tribute, the Duke spoke of the Penlee lifeboat, Solomon Browne, which had launched in appalling weather to go to the help of the coaster Union Star. He recalled how, in the finest traditions of the lifeboat service, there had been more volunteers at the boathouse than were needed to form a crew, and how, despite the tremendous seas, the lifeboat had managed to rescue four people from Union Star before she herself was lost. It was not possible to go into detail about the disaster because a public inquiry had been ordered by the Department of Trade, but more would be heard about the rescue during the afternoon when gallantry medals would be presented to members of the families of Solomon Browne's crew.

7 think I can safely say that no-one witnessed the very last moments of the lifeboat Solomon Browne, but we do know that close under the cliffs she was overwhelmed by the seas, and smashed to pieces on the rocks. The crew of Solomon Browne were experienced seamen and fine, well-trained lifeboatmen, who had confidence in their boat and knew their local waters totally. When the call came, they did not hesitate to set out to help other seafarers in distress. Within hours of the disaster, the men of the Penlee asked for another lifeboat. The new coxswain and crew are now manning a replacement Watson lifeboat, and next year will receive a new Arun class lifeboat which will lie afloat in New/yn Harbour. I am very pleased to say that the Institution has been given all the money that this Arun class lifeboat will cost by Mr David Robinson.' The Duke of Atholl told of the search which had begun as soon as it was known that Solomon Browne had been lost; of the RNLI welfare officer who went straight to Penlee to help with immediate problems, give cash grants and to inform the dependants that the RNLI would be paying pensions; and of the disaster fund which had been launched locally and independently of the RNLI by Penwith District Council. This fund had, unfortunately, run into legal problems and there had been considerable controversy, but, happily, with advice from the Charity Commissioners and the Attorney General, the problems had been satisfactorily resolved.

The Attorney General had since issued guidelines for disaster funds which the Institution was studying. Advice for any future lifeboat disaster fund would be prepared, although, of course, everyone hoped that it would never be needed.

'It is our duty, and our pride, to build our lifeboats to the highest standards possible, and to fit them with the finest equipment. Between the loss of the Fraserburgh lifeboat in January 1970 and the loss of the Penlee lifeboat in December 1981, only one lifeboatman lost his life on service. In that period lifeboats had been launched on service well over 30,000 times. However, we must recognise that the sea does not change, and it will always be a formidable adversary.

'The final point I should like to make about Penlee is that the families of the lost lifeboatmen have been an example to the whole country. In the midst of great sorrow and harrowing publicity they have remained dignified and calm. They have earned our respect, admiration and support and they will be with us this afternoon to receive the medals which have been awarded posthumously to the crew of the Penlee lifeboat.' The Duke then turned to the activities of 1981. The RNLFs lifeboats had launched on service a record number of times, 2,947. By their efforts 1,051 people had been rescued, many of these rescues, particularly in the latter part of the year, being made in severe gales and storms. Often the lifeboats had worked with helicopters; sometimes they carried out rescues which even the sophisticated Sea King helicopters found impossible.

During 1981, four new Arun class lifeboats, a Rother, an Atlantic 21 and a number of D class inflatable lifeboats had begun their operational lives, while orders had been placed for a further 11 lifeboats. Development work continued on three new types of boat: the Brede, the RNLI Medina and the fast slipway lifeboat which had been given the class name Tyne'. A Brede lifeboat would soon be sent to Oban for preliminary station trials, while there were plans to develop a water jet driven version of the Medina. The Tyne class was at the beginning of a lengthy trials programme, which would include extensive sea passages and calls at a number of lifeboat stations around the coast; 'It is worth remembering that lifeboats have a unique task. Their development is a special responsibility of the Institution, and it cannot be hurried. Each new class that we introduce takes many months, perhaps years, to perfect, and we cannot send a lifeboat built to a new design to a station until we are satisfied in every way with her performance. This is our policy, and I believe that it has been vindicated in practice. In recent years, for instance, both the Arun and Atlantic 21 lifeboats were the subject of long and careful development. Indeed, the Arun prototype was sent on sea passages totalling 12,000 miles before the first boat went on station.

However, each of these two classes, in its own sphere, has since proved its worth operationally time and time again in the most arduous and difficult conditions.

'We are, with the fast slipway Tyne class lifeboat, pushing forward new technology, and must be patient until we achieve the right results.' Speaking of the high regard in which the RNLI is held throughout the world, the Duke told the govenors of the silver medals awarded by the Icelandic Government and presented by the President of Iceland herself to the crews of Sennen Cove lifeboat and a Royal Naval helicopter from RNAS Culdrose for the rescue of the crew of an Icelandic coaster last September; the coxswain of the lifeboat would receive the RNLI's silver medal for this service later in the day. The Duke continued: 'During the last year, delegates from Algeria, Bermuda, Iceland, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan and the United States of America have visited the RNLI. An Atlantic 21 lifeboat was sold to the Royal South Holland Lifeboat Society, and the Portuguese and Spanish societies are a/so now using Atlantic 21s. The two Dutch lifeboat societies, which were founded in 1824, just a few months after the RNLI, are both operated on voluntary principles, and they are very old friends of ours. They are both interested in the concept of a large rigid inflatable lifeboat like the Medina, on which we are working. While the Royal North and South Holland Society is joining the RNLI in its project to develop a jet-driven Medina, the Royal South Holland Society is working on its own design for a large rigid inflatable lifeboat. . .

'Advances in marine technology are providing more sophisticated equipment for lifeboatmen, and we have introduced training courses to make sure that crew members are completely familiar with its use. I believe that it has been in no small measure due to our crew training that none of our men were lost when the Lyme Regis and Berwick on Tweed Atlantic 21s capsized earlier this year. It is most heartening to see young men coming forward into the crews to provide continuity in the service in an age when youth is so frequently criticised. The simple values of helping others without thought of reward have not been diluted or diminished throughout the RNLI's long history.

Often, these are values which are handed on from one generation of the same family to the next. The sad death last year of Mr Lawrence Cave, a Life Vice-President of the Institution, brought to an end a period of more than 100 years of unbroken service on the Committee of Management by successive members of the Cave family.

The Duke also reported with deep regret the death in January of another Life Vice-President, Mr William Bishop who, as chairman of the Poole Project Working Party, did so much to ensure the successful establishment of the RNLI headquarters and depot at Poole.

Yet another aspect of the RNLI which did not change, said the Duke, was the enthusiasm and enterprise of the fund raisers . . .

'During 1981, there have been major appeals and large gifts, bringing valued support and encouragement, but it is the untiring work of the branches and guilds which provides the solid financial basis from which we operate. You will have seen from the accounts that the income last year was 17.4 per cent up on the previous year, and reached almost £14 mil/ion.

That was the target figure which I announced at this meeting last vear, and it is to the great credit of the fund raisers that the target was effectivelv met. It shows that our voluntary system is strong enough to weather economic storms, and to continue to provide the monev to build and maintain a first-class fleet of lifeboats, giving the nation unrivalled value for money.' For the sixth successive year, a small surplus of income over expenditure had been achieved, but this fact had to be put in its proper context . . .

'In 1981. the surplus was £489,000. which represented less than two weeks' running costs. This surplus has enabled the free reserves to be maintained at a level of 14 weeks of the forthcoming year's expenditure, and this is the same as last year. As, in these davs of inflation, our expenditure increases, so we must keep increasing the reserves to maintain their real value. There is no fat in our accounts, and we continue to spend the bulk of our money on the lifeboat service, while keeping some in reserve to safeguard our future.

The boat building programme had been accelerated in 1981, both with existing designs and the new developments.

Capital expenditure rose from £2.79 million in 1980 to £3.64 million in 1981, and further expansion to £4 million was planned for 1982. Over £6 million was spent on recurrent expenditure for the service, covering the cost of surveys and overhauls, and running the 200 stations . . .

'Although this is a large sum of money, it is the minimum needed to keep the boats and the stations up to our high standards.

The immense amount of time and effort given free by local station committees, crews and shore helpers helps to keep this expenditure down . . .

'One small part of the £6 mil/ion is the pensions we pav to dependants of lifeboatmen who lose their lives on service. We are currently paying pensions for 53 widows and 14 children and some other dependants, and in 1982 the cost will be £120,000. The RNLI fully recognises its obligation to look after the lifeboatmen's widows, and upgrades its pensions to keep them in line with those paid to the dependants of Royal Naval chief petty officers who lose their lives on active service.' Value Added Tax continued to drain the Institution's income of over £290,000 a year, almost enough to provide a new lifeboat, and the RNLI, in common with other charities, was still seeking ways of minimising" the effects of VAT.

The Duke of Atholl once again emphasised how greatly the RNLI benefited if subscriptions or gifts were covenanted . . .

'At this year's London Boat Show', 86 per cent of new Shoreline members signed covenants, increasing the value of their subscriptions by £3,000. Each year, covenants bring us more than £80,000 extra in tax recovered from the Treasury.' In 1982 the Institution would need £16 million . . .

'It is a formidable sum to raise, but already there are encouraging signs that it can be achieved. Although the final figures for London Lifeboat Day are still being worked out, some areas were up by as much as 30 per cent on last year. With hard work, the target will be reached, and we will continue to give our crews what they ask of us: the tools to do their job.

'I should like to finish by thanking you a/I for your active interest and support over the past year. The RNLI's great strength lies in its composition of thousands of individuals spread throughout England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and indeed, the world. It is an Institution of which we can all be proud to be a part.' Before moving that the report and accounts be agreed, the Chairman invited questions and Mr P. J.

Buonacorsi-How (Islington) asked whether it was necessary or desirable that the Committee of Management should be so large. Thanking Mr Buonacorsi for his question, the Duke of Atholl replied that the Institution's Charter laid down that the Committee of Management 'shall consist of the President, Vice-Presidents and Treasurer and not more than 40 and not less than 15 other governors of the said society". At present there were 24 Vice- Presidents, one of whom was also Treasurer and there were 40 other governors who were members of the Committee of Management.

There were two main reasons why the numbers of members was kept up to maximum strength, the Duke explained.

The first was geographical: it was thought desirable to have people in every part of the country, and local fund raisers in particular appreciated having a Committee of Management member who lived fairly near them and took an interest in what they did. The second reason was that it was thought desirable to have a broad cross-section of all the professions or services the Institution required represented on the Committee, for example, a chartered surveyor and a naval architect; the Institution also liked having Members of Parliament on its Committee of Management.

Moreover, it was thought helpful that at least some of the members of the ten specialist sub-committees which deal with various facets of the Institution's operations should be on the Committee of Management.

While, the Duke continued, 64 sounded a large governing body, in practice the Committee of Management had delegated all its powers to the Executive Committee, a body, 14 strong, probably better able to run the Institution on a day-to-day basis. It was right that its powers should be delegated in this way, although the importance and usefulness of having a very large Committee of Management were not diminished.

Mr P. R. Threlfall (Wellington, Somerset) commented that he thought the new method of advising governors of the AGM by means of a notice published in THE LIFEBOAT had worked well. He went on to welcome the introduction in January this year of long service awards for lifeboatmen and shore helpers, but said that, although the long service badge had been beautifully designed, he thought a long service medal would have been preferable. The Duke of Atholl replied that to award long service medals would be contrary to the Institution's Royal Charter which states that medals can only be awarded for gallantry. He reported that 69 long service badges had already been approved and a further 87 recommendations were under consideration.

There being no other questions, the report and accounts for the year ended December 31, 1981, were agreed.

Elections followed of the President, HRH the Duke of Kent; the Vice- Presidents; the Treasurer, the Duke of Northumberland, and the Deputy Treasurer, Mr David Acland; and members and ex-officio members of the Committee of Management. These elections were each agreed unanimously with a show of hands. Price Waterhouse and Company were then appointed auditors for the coming year.

Coming to any other business, Major J. F. Showell-Rogers (Poole) raised a number of questions regarding the Institution's Green Book of regulations published in 1979. The Chairman replied that it was hoped to revise and republish parts of the Green Book before the end of the year, and Rear-Admiral W. J. Graham, the Director, suggested that the points raised should be discussed in detail at Poole HQ.

When Lady Tollemache (Petersfield) expressed concern that there was no mention in the new Church of England service books of seafarers or the Royal Navy, the Duke said that the matter would be raised with the Archbishop of Canterbury, one of the Institution's Vice-Presidents.

There being no other business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed.

* * * As there is a long gap between the end of the AGM in the morning and the start of the annual presentation of awards meeting in the afternoon, an experiment was introduced this year.

Governors were invited to remain in the National Film Theatre at the end of the AGM for a showing of the two RNLI films.

The auditorium of the Royal Festival Hall was filled almost to capacity when, in the afternoon, the Duke of Atholl, Chairman of the RNLI, rose at the beginning of the presentation of awards meeting at which the guest of honour was HRH Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester: 'Your Royal Highness, my lords, ladies and gentlemen, in welcoming you all this afternoon I know that I am addressing people from all sections of the lifeboat service: governors, fund raisers, station officials, staff and of course coxswains, crew members and their families. The efforts of you all are vital to make the service work; normally I should not pick out any group of people for special mention. But this year our thoughts must be with lifeboat families and in particular with the families whom we welcome here this afternoon. Lifeboatmen depend greatly on the support of wives, girlfriends, mothers and fathers and in the face of great sadness the courage and fortitude of the families of Penlee have been a magnificent example to us all.

'The Penlee disaster stunned everybody in the lifeboat service but it also made manifest the finest qualities which exist in the traditions of the RNLI. The storms off Cornwall on December 19 were horrendous, yet there were more men available in Penlee boathouse than were needed to form a crew. The lifeboatmen did not hesitate in putting to sea and when fears for their safely grew, the lifeboatmen from neighbouring stations set out into the storm to try to help. Within hours of the disaster, the people of Penlee asked for a replacement lifeboat and set about the task of forming a new crew. You will hear more about the rescue which the Penlee lifeboat attempted when Admiral Graham reads the medal citations, and I am sure that I speak for everyone in this great hall this afternoon when I say that the bravery of the men of Penlee will never be forgotten.

'The storms which overwhelmed the Penlee lifeboat characterised the weather around our coasts at the end of last year.

Of the 30 medals awarded for services during 1981, 25 were for services in the three months between September 19 and December 19. At the start of this period, 31 lifeboats were launched on service during the gales of September 19 and 20, a weekend when 28 people were rescued and two silver medals and one bronze were awarded. A number of lifeboats were called out on December 13, a day of hurricane force winds, tremendous seas and blizzards when, for the rescue of 29 people from the vessel Bonita, the gold medal was awarded to Coxswain Michael Scales of St Peter Port, Guernsey. Bronze medals were awarded to each of his crew and two bronze medals were also awarded for other services that day.' Talking of the work of lifeboat crews throughout the year, the Duke of Atholl said: 'When, later, you listen to the accounts of rescues for which medals for gallantry have been awarded, I would ask you to remember that there were thousands of services last year which, in lifeboatmen's terms, were routine; but these, too, were services which I, and I suspect most of you, would regard with some trepidation, perhaps entailing long hard searches in the hours of darkness, or cold uncomfortable passages in rough seas, sometimes, at their end, without even the "thank you" which is the lifeboatman 's greatest reward. Each of our lifeboat crews is prepared to put to sea when asked, regardless of the conditions, and in honouring the medallists today let us remember their hundreds of colleagues, some of whom may be out on a rescue mission even at this moment.' Going on to speak of the development of new lifeboats to help the crews with their work, the Duke announced that the Institution had been honoured to receive an award from the Design Council for the Arun class lifeboat. The judges for the award had looked carefully at every detail of the boat and had come to the conclusion that each aspect of her design had been so well thought out that the sum total represented a first class tool for the job she had to do. The Design Council Awards were presented by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, who then went to look over the new Arun lifeboat generously donated by the Freemasons of England and named Duchess of Kent by Her Royal Highness the previous day (see page 85).

Thanking the members of the RNLI's branches and guild for all their hard work, the Duke said that he had been able to report to the governors that in 1981 almost £14 million had been reached with a small surplus for transfer to reserves . . .

'However, I pointed out that we have to add more to the reserves each year if they are to maintain their real value. The free reserves currently stand at 14 weeks running expenditure, a satisfactory, though by no means luxurious, amount.

The challenge for 1982 was even greater as the target was £16 million.

The Institution was always trying to keep administrative costs to an absolute minimum, and the percentage spent on administration, fund raising and publicity altered very little from year to year.

There would be an opportunity to see how administrative support was given when the headquarters and depot at Poole were opened to the public in July.

The Lifeboat Open Days, from July 22 to 24, were part of Maritime England celebrations and members of branches, guilds and stations would be particularly welcome.

The Duke then announced two administrative changes. The boundaries of the operational divisions in England and Wales had been enlarged; their number had been reduced from six to four and each was now run by a divisional inspector who had a deputy.

In the fund-raising field, district organising secretaries were now being known as regional organisers, a title which described their appointments more accurately.

Speaking of the BBC's 'Ennal's Point', the Duke of Atholl said that it was the first time a dramatised television series had been based around a lifeboat community; its reception in lifeboat circles had been mixed, but the programme had brought the work of the RNLI in front of three million viewers: 'The sea scenes were carefully filmed with the actors learning from the real lifeboatmen and I understand that the actors became so keen that once, when there was a genuine emergency during the filming, they all ran to the boalhou.se as soon as they heard the maroons, together with the real crew!' The Duke of Atholl concluded; 'Looking back over 1981, the year started quietly, with unusually mild weather. By the autumn, ferocious gales brought dramatic rescues, culminating in the Si Port gold medal rescue in December.

Six days later, another gold medal rescue by the Penlee lifeboat ended in tragedy and the whole country was deeply saddened. Now in Penlee and throughout the RNLI, the lifeboat service goes on, in good heart and strengthened by the resolve to help others.

Coming to the end of his speech, the Duke of Atholl said: 'It is now a particular pleasure to introduce as our distinguished guest somebody who has spent many years helping others. HRH Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, is no stranger to the RNLI and was our guest at the 1959 annual general meeting here in London. She also named the lifeboats at Ramsgate in 1954, at Cromarty in 1956 and at Anstruther in 1965, which was, incidentally, one of the first naming ceremonies I ever attended, and, to help us in our fund raising, has twice attended the lifeboat ball in the Dorchester Hotel as guest of honour.

Princess Alice has, therefore, seen many aspects of the RNLI and I am delighted to welcome her to our annual presentation of awards today.' Princess Alice then rose to speak amid prolonged applause: 'Thank you all very much for such a warm welcome. Many years have gone by since I was with you at your annual presentation of awards. On that occasion I came representing Princess Marina, and now, today, I am glad to be able to represent her son who succeeded her as your President. He is sorry to be unable to be with you as he is out of the country, but 1 am most happy that it should enable me to come in his stead, and to hear that the Royal National Lifeboat Institution is faring as well as ever. Your organisation is held in high esteem in recognition of the humane work carried out by lifeboat crews. This noble work needs the dedicated support of your fund raisers, many of whom devote years of effort to the cause. When I attended the RNLI meeting in 1959 one of the presentations I made was a gold badge to Mrs Pearce of St Ives and this afternoon, 23 years later, I will be presenting her with honorary life governorship of the Institution. Her service is an example which typifies the spirit running through the RNLI both inland and around the coast.

'The citations for gallantry medals which you will shortly be hearing show the variety of different situations lifeboat crews face today. The common thread running through all the rescues is the unhesitating willingness to answer the call for help, wherever it may come from, whatever the time and conditions. I would also like to pay tribute to the families of lifeboatmen who so bravely and willingly wait for news of the lifeboat's mission, for without their support there could be no lifeboat service.

'Here today are representatives from all parts of the RNLI. Each of you is essential in its running. I and so many other well-wishers congratulate you for your work which results in the saving of so many lives at sea. I hope that you will leave this meeting with renewed vigour and enthusiasm and I wish you every success for the year ahead.

'Finally I have great pleasure in moving the resolution that this meeting, fully recognising the important services of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in its national work of lifesaving, desires to record its hearty appreciation of the gallantry of the coxswains and crews of the Institution's lifeboats, and its deep obligation to the local 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.

'They.' Her Royal Highness concluded, 'have my deepest admiration and that of thousands of others.' The resolution was agreed by general applause before the Duke of Atholl invited Princess Alice to present the medals for gallantry. As Helmsman Frank Dunster was unable to be at the Royal Festival Hall, the presentation of his award was postponed: Coxswain Trevelyan Richards, Penlee: gold medal, received by his mother, Mrs Mary Richards Second Coxswain/Mechanic Stephen Madron: bronze medal, received by his wife, Mrs Janet Madron Assistant Mechanic Nigel Brockman: bronze medal, received by his wife, Mrs Jacqueline Brockman Emergency Mechanic John Blewett: bronze medal, received by his wife, Mrs Caroline Blewett Crew Member Charles Greenhaugh: bronze medal, received by his wife, Mrs Mary Greenhaugh Crew Member Kevin Smith: bronze medal, received by his mother, Mrs Patricia Smith Crew Member Barrie Torrie: bronze medal, received by his father, Mr Cyril Torrie, on behalf of Barrie's wife, Mrs Lynn Torrie Crew Member Gary Wallis: bronze medal, received by his mother, Mrs Maureen Wallis On the night of December 19, 1981, Penlee's 47ft Watson lifeboat Solomon Browne launched to the aid of the coaster Union Star which had reported engine failure eight miles east of Wolf Rock Lighthouse. The wind, south by east, was hurricane force 12, gusting to 90 knots. There were mountainous seas, a heavy ground swell, driving rain and very poor visibility. Penlee lifeboat made a number of approaches to the coaster and eventually succeeded in taking off four people. She was then seen to turn, only about 50 yards off the steep-to rocky shore, possibly in preparation for another approach, before all visual and radio contact was lost.

Despite many hours search by other lifeboats, by RN helicopters, by Coastguard rescue teams and by local fishing vessels, no survivors were recovered from either Solomon Browne or Union Star. In spite of this tragic end to their efforts the late coxswain and crew of Penlee lifeboat were awarded medals for their heroic rescue of four people.

Acting Coxswain Michael Massarelli, Porthdinllaen: bronze medal On April 25, 1981, Porthdinllaen's 47ft Watson lifeboat Kathleen Mary was launched to go to the help of two people thrown into the water when their inflatable dinghy capsized. The sea was very rough with the tide ebbing almost directly into a north-easterly gale. The dinghy was 120 yards from the beach, near submerged rocks; there were breaking waves up to 15 feet high, heavy surf and only 10 feet depth of water. A line was thrown to one man on top of the dinghy and he was hauled to safety. Two more approaches were made, with seas breaking over the lifeboat; on the second approach a man clinging to the dinghy lost his grip and was washed down towards the lifeboat where he was pulled aboard.

Helmsman Clive Ravmerit, Cromer: bronze medal On May 1, 1981, Cromer's D class inflatable lifeboat was launched to help the crew of the crab boat George William which had been swamped and sunk off East Runton. A fresh to strong breeze was blowing from the north north east, creating a rough sea and a heavy onshore swell. Helmsman Rayment had to bring the lifeboat down over shallows where waves were breaking and manoeuvre round the capsized boat and floating debris before turning back into the breaking seas towards the two men in the water. One man was hanging on to a lifebuoy and the other was clinging to a crab pot marker buoy.

Both were safely recovered.

Coxswain Arthur Wignall, Lytham-St Anne's: bronze medal Assistant Mechanic Brian Pearson: bronze medal On June 6, 1981, Lytham-St Anne's 46ft 9in Watson lifeboat City of Bradford III slipped her moorings to help a yacht sighted in difficulty close inshore.

A gale was blowing from south west by west. There was a strong ebb tide and on passage over shallow waters the sea was very rough with waves continuously breaking over the lifeboat. The yacht Morag was heading into more dangerous waters and rolling heavily. As Coxswain Wignall brought the lifeboat alongside a man was seen in the water apparently clinging to the yacht's stern.

Assistant Mechanic Pearson leaped into the inflatable dinghy being towed behind the yacht but the man's lifeline, still attached, was entangled. Brian Pearson jumped into the sea and dragged the man clear of immediate danger of being crushed, then boarded the yacht to try to secure a towline. Meanwhile another lifeboatman leaped on to the yacht, cut the lifeline and pulled the survivor on board. Brian Pearson was taken back aboard the lifeboat. A line had fouled one of the lifeboat's propellers, but with great skill Coxswain Wignall drove the lifeboat, using one engine only, up to the casualty, now being driven rapidly towards the shore, to take off the survivor and the other lifeboatman.

Coxswain Joshua Richards, Tenby: bar to his bronze medal On the night of October 7, 1981, Tenby's 46ft 9in Watson lifeboat Henry Comber Brown launched into a southwesterly gale gusting to force 9 with a very rough sea and heavy swell to go to the help of the catamaran Helen M anchored in a dangerous position with only one man on board. The lifeboat was anchored and veered down in an attempt to pick up the casualty's anchor and tow her clear of the shoal water.

Two lifeboatmen scrambled aboard the catamaran but her anchor cable parted.

A second anchor was let go, a towline swiftly passed and she was brought to safety. (Full report, page 80).

Coxswain Frederick John, St David's: bronze medal On the night of October 18. 1981, the relief 46ft 9in Watson lifeboat Charles Henry Ashley on temporary duty at St David's launched after the tug Vernicos Giorgos, towing two tugs, was reported to have a rope around her propeller and to be dragging her anchor close to rocks in St Brides Bay in a strong southwesterly gale and very rough seas.

When the lifeboat arrived, the two tugs being towed were already on the rocks and the crews of all three tugs, eight men, were aboard Vernicos Giorgos.

With great skill, Coxswain John brought his lifeboat alongside five times and took off three men. The remaining five men decided to stay on board Vernicos Giorgos, hoping for a salvage tug. However, after midnight their tug grounded and an RAF helicopter lifted them off while the lifeboat together with the local cliff rescue company illuminated the scene. (Full report, page 81).

Coxswain David Cox, BEM, Wells: bronze medal On November 20, 1981, the Wells 37ft Oakley lifeboat Ernest Tom Neathercoat was launched to go to the help of the fishing vessel Sarah K in difficulties, her engine room flooded, 2Vz miles north of Brancaster. A gale to strong gale was blowing from the north west making the seas very rough and giving a heavy swell. The lifeboat first stood by while an RAF helicopter lowered a pump to the fishing boat, but when, as light was failing, the vessel's large foremast broke Coxswain Cox made four approaches to the heavily rolling boat to take off her four crew. (Full report, page 82).

Coxswain David Gallichan, Beaumaris: bronze medal On December 13, 1981, the Beaumaris 46ft 9in Watson lifeboat Greater London II (Civil Service No.

30) was launched to go to the help of the 35ft angling launch Wygyr in difficulties in the Menai Straits. A strong gale, rising to more than storm force, was blowing from the south south east with very rough seas and a blizzard which was causing flooding on land. The windscreen iced up almost immediately and Coxswain Gallichan had to post lookouts. After a search, the launch was found and taken in tow, the towline doubled up. One line parted, however, and with the possibility of the other tow line parting in restricted waters Coxswain Gallichan, with great skill, took off the two men by hauling in the tow.

(Full report, page 79). Superintendent Coxswain Brian Bevan, Humber: bar to his bronze medal On the night of December 13, 1981, Humber's 54ft Arun class lifeboat City of Bradford IV slipped her moorings to go to the help of the coaster Harry Mitchell whose cargo had shifted, giving her a list of 30 degrees. A storm was blowing from the south east, the seas were very rough and there was heavy snow. In winds gusting to force 11, Coxswain Bevan took the lifeboat alongside eight times to take off three men. The captain and mate decided to stay with their vessel and the lifeboat escorted her as she very slowly made her way to the Humber estuary. (Full report, page 78).

Crew Member Roderick James, Hayling Island: silver medal Helmsman Frank Dunster: bar to his bronze medal On September 19, 1981, Hayling Island's Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat was launched following reports of red flares in Hayling Bay. A southeasterly near gale rising to gale force was blowing against the tide creating rough, confused seas. The lifeboat went to help two windsurfers, a dinghy and a yacht and was then informed that someone had been seen clinging to a breakwater off Sandy Point. The wind had increased to force 9 and driving rain reduced visibility. A teenage boy was found clinging to the post of a groyne, some 20 yards out to sea. Two shore helpers had tried to reach him but had been swept back to land by the breakers.

After Helmsman Dunster had made four attempts to bring the lifeboat through the surf to the boy, each time being defeated by the seas, he brought the lifeboat to within 30 feet and Crew Member James entered the water. The exhausted youth finally let go of the post and disappeared beneath the waves. Crew Member James grabbed him and made for the shore. The boy was taken to hospital and, as the lifeboat set out to deal with yet more casualties, Roderick James rejoined the boat to help.

Coxswain/Mechanic Maurice Hutchens, Sennen Cove: silver medal On the night of September 19, 1981, Sennen Cove's 37ft 6in Rother lifeboat Diana White was launched to go to the help of the Icelandic coaster Tungufoss, heeled over four miles south of Longships Lighthouse. Force 8 to 9 gales were blowing from the west south west and there were heavy rain squalls and a very rough sea. When the lifeboat reached the casualty she found that three of the 11 crew had been rescued by an RN helicopter, but the winchman had been injured. After two attempted approaches, the lifeboat was manoeuvred as close as possible to the casualty's stern and, one at a time, three men were transferred from the coaster to liferafts attached to her stern and floated towards the lifeboat where they were snatched aboard. Two more men tried to jump into the rafts which were filling with water but missed their footing and fell into the sea; they were spotted with the help of the helicopter's searchlight and pulled aboard the lifeboat.

The coaster's list was increasing all the time, but with great skill the lifeboat was taken close in, avoiding the ship's rudder, so that two more men could leap aboard. With the coaster almost on her beam ends and apparently about to founder, the lifeboat began a final approach but the last man on board, the captain, managed to grab a lifting strop flown within his grasp by the helicopter and was lifted to safety.

Coxswain/Mechanic Alexander Gilchrist, Campbeltown: silver medal On October 2, Campbeltown's 52ft Arun Walter and Margaret Couper slipped her moorings after information had been received that the trawler Erlo Hills was ashore on the west side of the Mull of Kintyre. After more than two hours search, the casualty was eventually found ashore off Rathlin Island off the North Irish coast. A strong gale was blowing from the north, giving short steep breaking waves. The coaster Ceol Mor was standing by. The lifeboat passed a towline between the trawler and the coaster which pulled the casualty off the rocks. The tow was slipped when the trawler's skipper reported that all was well with his vessel and the coaster departed. It was later found that the trawler's steering gear was jammed, then her main engine broke down and she began to drift towards the shore.

The skipper refused to let the lifeboat take his crew off, so Coxswain Gilchrist, only 200 yards from the shore, secured a tow. Both boats were constantly being struck by 15ft waves and the lifeboat could hardly make headway. Eventually, with the risk of a capsize and with wind and tide now keeping the trawler from drifting back on shore, the tow was slipped. Ceol Mor returned and took up the tow again. The tow parted four times, each time being repassed by the lifeboat. Finally the coaster had to depart as she was extremely low on fuel.

The trawler was being carried into Macdonnell Race and her skipper eventually agreed to abandon ship. The wind had strengthened to force 10 as the lifeboat approached six times through 30ft waves to take off the 14 men.

Daniel Norman, Watchet: inscribed wristwatch On the evening of September 12, 1981, while playing near the water's edge, a girl was swept into the sea by a heavy wave. She could not swim. Her friend Lorna Webber swam to her but could not bring her back to shore.

Lorna therefore swam ashore to get help. Meanwhile, anglers who had seen the incident shouted to 14-year-old Daniel Norman, aboard his father's fishing boat inside the harbour. Daniel steered the boat towards the girl, now floating face downwards. As the water was not deep enough to take the boat alongside, Daniel swam to her with a lifebelt, brought her back to the boat and, with great difficulty, got her aboard. He immediately started mouth to mouth resuscitation. By now Daniel's father and another man had arrived to help and the girl was landed and taken to hospital. For this service Daniel Norman was accorded the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum.

Coxswain Michael Scales, St Peter Port: gold medal Second Coxswain Peter Bougourd: bronze medal Motor Mechanic Robert Vowles: bronze medal Assistant Mechanic Alan Martel: bronze medal Crew Member John Webster: bronze medal Crew Member John Bougourd: bronze medal Crew Member Peter Bisson: bronze medal Crew Member Richard Hamon: bronze medal On the afternoon of December 13, 1981, St Peter Port's 52ft Arun lifeboat Sir William Arnold slipped her moorings to go to the help of the Ecuadorian vessel Bonita, listing heavily in the middle of the English Channel. A storm gusting to hurricane force was blowing from the south and the sea was very rough. Driving snow and sea spray reduced visibility to 200 yards. The lifeboat maintained full speed despite broaching eight times and arrived on scene at dusk. The wind was now south south east force 11, whipping up waves of 45 to 50 feet. Bonita was listing 45 degrees and rolling heavily, with seas breaking right over her decks. Ropes, drums and large pieces of timber were floating, trapped on her lee side so that the lifeboat had to be taken in to her transom stern. During 3'/2 hours, in darkness and bitter cold, 50 approaches were made and 29 people taken off.

•Five more people were rescued by RN helicopters, one by a French tug and one man was lost. (Full report, page 77).

The Duke of Atholl then invited Princess Alice to make the presentations to voluntary workers. Since the last annual presentations of awards meeting the Committee of Management has awarded six honorary life governorships, five bars to the gold badge and 22 gold badges to voluntary workers for long and distinguished service.

All but six of the recipients. The Right Honourable The Dowager Countess of Airlie, Mr J. S. Rae, Miss V. Hooper, Mr T. C. Hart, Mrs N. C. Bell and The Dowager Viscountess Colville of Culross were present to receive their awards: Honorary Life Governors MrsM. T. R. Pearce, JP Honorary secretary of St Ives ladies' guild from 1932 to 1937 and again from 1945 to 1967, and chairman since 1967; awarded gold badge 1958 and bar to the gold badge 1970.

Lady Cunninghame Graham President of Rosyth ladies' guild from 1946 to 1952 and president of Helensburgh ladies' guild since 1952; awarded gold badge in 1966.

The Right Honourable The Dowager Countess of Airlie President of Montrose ladies' guild from 1935 to 1982; awarded gold badge 1965. Mrs P. Montague Kavanagh Chairman of Dublin Sale Committee since 1967, a member of the RNLI Fund Raising Committee since 1972 and Dublin Shop Organiser since 1972; awarded gold badge 1972.

Mr B. G. Blampied, QBE Committee member of Guernsey branch since 1938, vice-chairman from 1956 to 1959 and chairman since 1959. Mr Blampied, who has been a deputy launching authority of St Peter Port station branch since 1977 also maintains a strong liaison with lifeboat stations in France; awarded gold badge 1972.

Mr J. S. Rae Committee member of Stromness station branch since 1928 and chairman since 1944, giving full support to both operational and fund-raising matters; awarded silver badge 1957 and gold badge 1968.

Bar to Gold Badge Mrs W. Sowden Honorary secretary of Southampton ladies' guild from 1936 to 1961 and chairman of Hedge End ladies' guild since 1960; awarded record of thanks 1948 and gold badge 1962.

Miss J. A. James Honorary secretary of Paignton branch since 1938; awarded statuette in 1949, silver badge 1961 and gold badge 1970.

Mr W. L. Barber Member of Stockport auxiliary crew since 1936 and honorary secretary from 1957 to 1979; honorary treasurer of Stockport branch from 1953 to 1955, honorary secretary from 1956 to 1957 and chairman from 1957 to 1963. Mr Barber has been a member of Manchester Executive Committee since 1976.

Awarded silver badge 1962 and gold badge 1972.

Mr J. H. Stockley Member of Stockport auxiliary crew since 1948 and honorary treasurer from 1957 to 1974; a member of Stockport branch since 1938 and chairman and honorary secretary from 1946 to 1953.

Mr Stockley has been a member of Manchester Executive Committee since 1976. Awarded statuette 1964 and gold badge 1972.

Miss V. Hooper Member of Barmouth ladies' guild committee since 1948, assistant honorary secretary from 1952 to 1955, honorary secretary from 1955 to 1968 and president since 1972; awarded silver badge 1963 and gold badge 1976.

Gold Badge Mrs J. Vincent Honorary flag week organiser of Shepperton branch from 1949 and honorary secretary from 1975; awarded Chairman's letter of thanks 1961 and silver badge 1967.

Mr G. H. Brewer Honorary treasurer of Stanmore branch since 1952; awarded silver badge 1969.

Mrs R. H. Maurice, ARRC Honorary secretary of Marlborough branch from 1960 to 1982; awarded silver badge 1972.

Mr F. C. Seager, MBE Chairman of Reigate and Redhill branch from 1957 to 1981 and president since 1981; awarded statuette 1968 and silver badge 1973.

Mr T. C. Hart Member of The Lizard-Cadgwith station branch committee since 1948, vice-chairman from 1955 to 1976, honorary treasurer from 1957 to 1982, chairman from 1976 to 1980 and president since 1982; awarded silver badge 1967.

Miss A. E. Armitage Chairman and president of Brixham ladies' guild from 1955 to 1978 and president since 1978.

Mr G. T. Flint Assistant treasurer of Weston-super- Mare station branch from 1949 to 1958 and chairman since 1976; member of Weston-super-Mare financial branch committee from 1953 to 1958, honorary treasurer from 1965 to 1971 and chairman since 1971. Member of Midsomer Norton branch committee from 1958 to 1965.

Mrs N. Clarke Member of Harwich branch committee 1954 to 1960. Honorary organiser of Woolston District (Southampton branch), I960 to 1964. Honorary secretary of Colchester ladies' guild 1966 to 1973 and honorary secretary of Colchester branch since 1973. Awarded Chairman's letter of thanks 1970 and silver badge 1975.

Mrs M. Ackerman Honorary secretary of Nantwich branch 1955 to 1968 and chairman since 1968; awarded silver badge 1966.

Mrs D. Lament Member of Lerwick ladies' guild 1932 to 1953 and president from 1947 to 1953.

Chairman of Grimsby ladies' guild since 1964. Awarded silver badge 1974.

Mrs V. Robinson, MBE Member of Redcar ladies' guild committee since 1932, during which time, as a tireless, dedicated fund raiser, she has held various offices; awarded silver badge 1972.

MrsS. B. Whatley Honorary secretary of Tynemouth ladies' guild from 1957 to 1977, chairman from 1977 to 1981 and vice-president since 1981; awarded silver badge 1972.

Mrs M. Campini A collector since 1939. Member of Rhyl ladies' guild committee since 1955, vicepresident from 1961 to 1966 and president since 1966; awarded silver badge 1973.

MrsN. C. Bell Member of Dunoon ladies' guild since 1964 and president since 1975. Mrs Bell has been a fund raiser for more than 50 years, at first in Glasgow where, during the war, she helped raise money for the first Girl Guide lifeboat.

The Dowager Viscountess Colville of Culross President of Inverbervie ladies' guild since 1972, after serving as President of Kinneff and Catterline ladies' guild.

Mrs F. B. Smart Honorary secretary and treasurer of Montrose ladies' guild from 1953 to 1961, vice-president from 1968 to 1979 and chairman from 1979 to 1981; awarded statuette 1974.

Mrs D. G. Gall Honorary treasurer of Wick ladies' guild from 1953 to 1980 and assistant honorary treasurer since 1980; awarded silver badge 1967.

Mrs C. Campbell Honorary secretary of Wick ladies' guild since 1956; awarded silver badge 1967.

Mr J. S. Churchill, JP FRICS Member of Torbay station branch committee 1950 to 1981 and chairman 1953 to 1981; awarded silver badge 1972.

Mrs M. C. Hoy Honorary secretary of Clogher Head station branch from 1961 to 1981; awarded binoculars 1972. Mrs Hoy has always given encouragement to fund raising efforts.

Dr S. Peace, MB chs Honorary secretary of Longhope station branch from 1957 to 1962 and honorary medical adviser from 1962 to 1963.

Honorary medical adviser of Kirkwall station branch since 1972. Dr Peace has taken a very active interest both in operational matters and in fund raising.

Dr D. W. L. Leslie, MA MB ech MRCS LRCP DTMSH Member of Penlee station branch committee since 1950, honorary medical adviser since 1950, vice-chairman from 1969 to 1973 and chairman since 1973; awarded silver badge 1972. A tireless worker, Dr Leslie has devoted a great deal of time to fund raising.

After receiving his gold badge from Princess Alice, Dr Leslie turned to address the assembled company of lifeboat people: 'It is very unusual for a station branch chairman to appear in a gathering such as this, at the end of such a memorable afternoon. I expect you can imagine why I am here. You know what happened to us last December. You have seen these wonderful ladies here today and you gave them a marvellous reception. I should like just to tell you how grateful we all are in the Penlee branch, in Mousehole, in Penzance, for the absolute warmth of sympathy, love and support which has come to us from all over the world . . . thank you all so much.' To bring the afternoon to a close, Mr Graham Newman, a member of the Committee of Management moved a resolution of thanks to HRH Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester. In his speech he said: ' The RNLl seeks to protect those at sea around our islands. In these islands, and as a past chairman of the Baltic Exchange 1 know it only too well, we still depend on the sea for the movements of our essential supplies from abroad. We have heard today of rescues from British, Irish, Ecuadorian, Icelandic and Creek merchant and fishing vessels. These rescues, a/1 carried out in severe weather, remind us of the words of that great statesman, Sir Winston Churchill, who, at the RNLI's centenary dinner in 1924 said: "One feels that the lifeboatman may plead that he represents the cause of humanity, and not that of any single nation, or any single cause." 'Over 50 years later the constancy of the lifeboat cause remains unaltered. The devotion of individuals to the cause, as mentioned by Her Royal Highness, is still unwavered. The RNLI is still one of the greatest and most vital voluntary organisations in the world.' Earlier in the afternoon, during the presentations of awards for gallantry, the whole company filling the Royal Festival Hall had risen first to honour the memory of the gallant crew of Solomon Browne and salute the courage of their families; it had risen a second time to honour Coxswain Michael Scales, gold medallist from St Peter Port, and his crew. Now everyone rose for a third time to support with warm affection the hearty vote of thanks to Princess Alice, a great lady who had given her support to the lifeboat service for so many years.