Like father, like son A remarkable and honourable tradition is being carried on in the Keay family of Grayburn, near Invergowrie.

Captain T. A. Colin Keay is a member of the Committee of Management and chairman of Dundee branch. Early last November Captain Keay, who has command of Tay Division, Royal Naval Reserve, was notified by former First Sea Lord and principal naval aide-decamp, Admiral Sir Henry Leach, that Her Majesty The Queen was graciously pleased to appoint him as naval aide-decamp.

The appointment took effect from January 1 this year and means a rare repetition of history. Captain Keay's late father, Captain W. F. Keay, previously held a similar appointment as aide-de-camp to the Queen's father, King George VI, in 1941.

Rotary appeal The Rotary lifeboat appeal was launched some years ago with the aim of raising £100,000 towards a new lifeboat to be named Rotary Service. Money has continued to come into RNLI HQ ever since from Rotary clubs throughout the country, but on February 21 the final cheque, for £16,600, was presented by Arthur Newcombe, President of Rotary International of Great Britain and Ireland, to Mrs Georgina Keen, a member of the Committee of Management.

Rotary Service, a 50ft Thames class lifeboat, has been stationed at Dover since 1979, and this final amount, which has been raised by Kent and East Sussex branches of Rotary and which brings the total raised to nearly £102,000, was presented at the Royal Cinque Yacht Club, Dover.

Gift in kind Many thousands of litres of oil are used by lifeboats each year and for over ten years Duckhams have supplied a large part of what is needed free, representing a substantial financial saving to the RNLI. On February 18 Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, director of the Institution, formally accepted from Geoffrey Sheppard, managing director of Duckhams, at the RNLI depot, Poole, this year's first consignment of free oil for lifeboats. Commenting on the gift, Admiral Graham said.

'It is the generosity of individuals and firms, like Duckhams, which enables the RNLI to continue its work of saving life at sea.' LP record/cassette The Orpheus Male Voice Choir from Rhos, near Wrexham, is producing a long playing record/cassette for the Institution which will be available from the Welsh Regional Office, Aberdare House, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff, at the end of May. Both record and cassette cost £3 each plus 25p p and p.

Obituary It is with deep regret that we record the following deaths: April, 1982 Mrs Eric Crawford, president of Hoylake ladies' guild from 1940 to 1959, who continued her interest in the lifeboat service until her death last year at the age of 99. Hoylake guild has received a donation of £250 in her memory from her daughter, Mrs Rushworth of Heswall.

May, 1982 Mrs A. W. Cole, president of Cowes guild from 1973 to 1982, after serving as vice-chairman from 1972 to 1973. Mrs Cole had previously served as chairman and had been a member of the committee for many years; she was awarded a statuette in 1971.

September 1982 Reginal Carey, coxswain of Coverack lifeboat from 1963 to 1971, after serving as second coxswain from 1938 to 1963; he was awarded the bronze medal in 1956.

October, 1982 John H. Newman, a committee member of Hounslow and District branch since 1937 and branch appeals secretary since 1967. Mr Newman was awarded the gold badge in 1975.

Alexander H. Reidford, who was honorary treasurer of Hawarden branch from 1951 to 1975; on his retirement he received a framed letter of thanks.

November 1982 Arthur T. Verrion, coxswain of Ramsgate lifeboat from 1953 to 1963, after serving as bowman from 1939 to 1946 and as second coxswain from 1946 to 1952; he first joined the crew in 1919.

December, 1982 Miss G. Greensides, who held office in Withernsea ladies' guild for about 25 years, first as honorary secretary and then as president.

Mrs Joan Knott, wife of Tommy Knott, former coxswain of Lowestoft lifeboat and now a DLA. Mrs Knott was well known to many lifeboatmen for whom, over many years, she had arranged a warm welcome when lifeboats on passage visited Lowestoft.

Arthur Sykes, chairman of Flamborough station branch since 1980 after joining the committee in 1977. Mr Sykes had worked long and hard for the Flamborough lifeboat appeal.

January, 1983 Mrs Vivian K. C. Robinson, MBE, who was district organising secretary in the south east from 1952 to 1971, giving 19 years magnificent service.

February 1983 Mrs J. B. Soutter, a founder member of Hamilton ladies' guild in 1938 and president from 1960 to 1979, when she was awarded the gold badge.

March, 1983 James Coull, coxswain of Broughty Ferry lifeboat from 1934 to 1956 after serving in Montrose No 2 lifeboat as bowman from 1933 to 1934. Mr Coull, who first joined Montrose crew in 1930, was awarded the silver medal in 1939.

William R. Thomas, coxswain of Tenby lifeboat from 1958 to 1968 after serving as bowman from 1946 to 1957 and as second coxswain from 1957 to 1958. Mr Thomas, who first joined the crew in 1930, was awarded the bronze medal in 1953. His son Alan is the present coxswain of Tenby lifeboat and another son, Clive, and a grandson.

Peter, are both crew members..