LONDON, TUESDAY MAY 15 pride in the past: inspiration for the future THE 1984 ANNUAL MEETINGS of the RNLI at the Royal Festival Hall, London, on Tuesday May 15, will long be remembered by all who attended. The afternoon presentation of awards meeting is always a happy occasion but in this, the Institution's 160th anniversary year, the pleasure of the lifeboat people who came to the Festival Hall was greatly enhanced by the gracious presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, a Patron of the Institution who has given her personal support and encouragement to the lifeboat service for very many years. Warmed by her smile, inspired by her ready interest in everything which affects the RNLI and its people, everyone was to depart at the end of the day much heartened.

For that afternoon, the sun shone.

The annual general meeting of the governors was held in the Queen Elizabeth Hall during the morning. Looking back on 1983, the Chairman, His Grace The Duke of Atholl, was able to report a most successful outcome of the work of lifeboat people both at sea and on land. More than 3,600 operational calls had been answered by the Institution's lifeboats during the year and more than 1,300 men, women and children had been rescued from certain death at sea, while, to make the endeavours of the lifeboat crews possible, a grand total of more than £16 million had been amassed by the fund raisers.

Among the medals for gallantry presented by the Queen Mother in the afternoon were three bars to the silver medal, awarded respectively to Coxswain Michael Berry of St Helier, Coxswain Michael Grant of Selsey and Coxswain Thomas Cocking, Snr, of St Ives, and a silver medal awarded to a young crew member from Largs, Arthur Hill, who had dived under a capsized motor cruiser to rescue a girl trapped within the hull. Awards for gallantry were presented to Mark Lacey and Eleanor Evans, both still at school, while among the awards for long and outstanding voluntary service no less than four were to branch or guild officers who had worked unstintingly for the lifeboats for 50 years or more.

Keenly interested in every one to whom she made a presentation, the Queen Mother talked for a few minutes with each one of them.

A goodly number of governors met for the morning AGM in the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Welcoming them all, the Duke of Atholl, the Chairman, commented on how encouraging it was to the Committee of Management that there was such a large and such an enthusiastic attendance. As March 4, 1984, had been the 160th anniversary of the RNLI, the Chairman first looked back on the success of the lifeboat service over the years, for, he said, the principle of a service of volunteers had hardly changed: 'Sir William Hillary showed remarkable foresight in a pamphlet which proposed the creation of a national lifeboat institution.

Having defined the objectives of saving life at sea, he suggested the formation of a central committee which should " . . . include liberal and enlightened men from all classes and departments, naval and military officers, members of Trinity House and Lloyd's, merchants and commanders in the East India and other services . . ."to run the new body. As far as I know, there are no members of the East India Company on the Committee of Management today, but I hope that we do represent a liberal and enlightened body of men and women.

'Hillary went on to propose local committees to run lifeboat stations with, in his words, "... crews selected from the bravest and most experienced persons who can be found. Volunteers should be invited to enrol themselves from amongst the resident pilots, seamen, fishermen, boatmen and others. To expect a large body of men to enrol themselves and to be in constant readiness to risk their own lives for the preservation of those whom they have never known or seen, perhaps of another nation, merely because they are fellow creatures in extreme peril, is to pay the highest possible compliment to my countrymen." 'The money to run the Institution presented no problem in Hillary's eyes, for he wrote, " . . . who is there to whom such an Institution once became known would refuse his aid? It is a cause which extends from the palace to the cottage, in which politics and party cannot have any share, and which addresses itself with equal force to all the best feelings of every class in the state . . . the most ample means will be easily and speedily obtained for the objects of this Institution." 'Thus three distinct features of the new Institution were to be run voluntarily: the committees, the crews and the fund raisers.

These features have survived to this day and they provide the basis for an Institution which has become one of the world's leading voluntary organisations.' 'Another of Sir William Hillary's early endeavours was to seek the support of the Royal Family and only 16 days after the inaugural meeting of the Institution King George IV gave permission for the word Royal to be added to the title. Since then, the Institution has enjoyed generous support from the Royal Family . . . " Returning to more contemporary business, the Duke defined the RNLI as the sum of the efforts of the crews, station officials, fund raisers and staff.

He reported that during 1983 the Institution's lifeboats had answered 3,685 service calls, the highest annual figure yet recorded, and in the course of those services they had rescued 1,348 people: 'Every service was carried out skilfully, and with courage and compassion. Our lifeboatmen are volunteers, but their training and experience sets them apart as the professionals in sea rescue. No lifeboatman knows what conditions he may have to face when the call comes, but each is ready to put to sea when asked. This is the selfless work we are supporting and the efficient management of the work is our concern here this morning.' It was with pleasure that the Duke told the governors that more than £16 million had been raised, enabling the RNLI to continue the boat building programme which will take it well into the next century. During 1983, three Aruns and four Bredes had been completed, the first of the Tyne class had gone on station at Selsey and three Atlantics, three 17ft 6in Zodiac MK IV D class inflatable boats and twelve 15ft 6in D class boats had been fitted out at the RNLI's Cowes base. Work had continued on the design project to provide a fast carriage launched lifeboat for the future, while a new tractor designed specifically for the arduous task of launching carriage lifeboats had been introduced. As an aside the Duke told the governors: 'During an exercise, the prototype tractor actually carried out a service, rescuing two people and their dog cut off by the tide. However, I am not recommending the tractor as a lifeboat replacement!' Pointing out that, as these tractors cost almost £100,000, they are not exactly cheap, the Duke continued, 'Until recently, the Institution has paid VAT on its launching equipment, although lifeboat construction did not carry VAT.

Following various approaches direct to the Chancellor and to MPs whose constituencies have lifeboat stations with carriage launched boats, a special clause was inserted in this year's Budget to extend the existing VAT concession to launching equipment. This is a most welcome move and should reduce our VAT liability by about £75,000, offsetting the additional charge to be made in the future by the Customs and Excise in respect of improvements to boathouses. We are grateful to the Government for acknowledging the work of the RNLI in this way.

'Development work on the Medina lifeboat continues. This project has been beset by problems of finding suitable propulsion for her. We are now trying water jets matched to caterpillar engines which are giving encouraging results.

There is a great deal of international interest in the concept of the large rigid inflatable and our colleagues in the Dutch and Norwegian lifeboat societies are both involved with these boats. Their needs are not exactly the same as ours, but exchange of information and experience is bound to be beneficial.' This was the sort of exchange, said the Duke, which took place at the International Lifeboat Conference in Sweden in June 1983, where two RNLI lifeboats, the 47ft Tyne and the 33ft Brede, attracted a great deal of interest.

The RNLI's 52ft Arun class had already won praise at home and abroad . . .

'During 1983 Fairey Marine started construction of an Arun in steel. The Institution has confidence in GRP; we are continuing to build Aruns and Bredes in this material, but there may be occasions where a steel hull will prove more suitable.' The Duke of Atholl then turned to the splendid work of the fund raisers and read out the formal resolution passed by the Committee of Management last November: 'That the thanks and congratulations of the Committee be extended to voluntary workers and fund-raising staff who had been so successful in meeting the fundraising targets for 1983.' The Duke emphasised the importance placed on striving to keep overheads to a minimum so that people supporting the RNLI should know that their money would be spent directly on the lifeboat service. Last year only 7 per cent had been spent on administration and 17 per cent on fund raising and publicity. The costs of new lifeboats were inevitably high. As an example, the RNLI's latest lifeboat, the Tyne, costs £430,000; four Tynes were at present building with another four on order . . .

'They represent a massive future capital commitment and to help meet this a new fleet reserve has been established. This designated fund represents a buffer against the spending to which we are already committed. £900,000 was transferred to the new fleet reserve fund, enough to build two Tyne class lifeboats, and this should be viewed against the capital commitments carried forward of £2.5 million and an authorised capital expenditure programme for 1984 which now stands at over £5.5 million.

'After establishing the fleet reserve, the Institution was left with a surplus of £427,000; the equivalent cost of one Tyne class lifeboat. Our reserves now represent 24 weeks expenditure at current levels.

Our target for 1984 is to raise over £18 million. In summary, our financial position is sound but our future lifeboat building programme will only succeed if our fund raisers keep up their magnificent work and the public continue to give us their support.' Recurrent expenditure accounted for almost half the Institution's costs, the Duke continued; these included maintenance and survey programmes, major overhauls of lifeboats and boathouses and running costs of the stations and depots as well as the expenses of the inspectorate and crew training: 'As our lifeboats become more sophisticated, so more training is needed and we are developing training programmes to make sure that our crews are fully conversant with their boat's equipment and with the techniques of modern lifesaving. Each time a station is to receive a new lifeboat, the crew spend a week of intensive training in Poole, followed by the passage to station with their lifeboat inspector. We have introduced instructional videotapes and the regular programme of training continues at the Cowes base as well as at stations, both in mobile training units and of course on the lifeboats themselves.' The Duke then spoke of the healthy increases shown by the RNLI's two main sources of revenue, legacies and branch and guild income, and of the expansion in Trading and Shoreline due to the tireless efforts of the fund raisers.

7 am pleased to say that the Institution's costs, though they are rising, are not far out of line with inflation, and it is always our aim to keep increases to a minimum.

As our lifeboats have become busier over the years, so the volume of work needed to sustain them has increased. By improved production—a familiar cry these days— and by increasing use of modern methods we are coping with extra work without a corresponding rise in staff numbers.' Coming to the final item of 1983's business, the Duke of Atholl reported the conclusion of the inquiry into the loss in 1981 of the Penlee lifeboat Solomon Browne and the vessel Union Star; the finding had, in fact, been announced on the day after the RNLI's 1983 AGM. Many of the conclusions were important to the Institution and showed that the RNLI and its crews were providing a first-class emergency service for the country.

'The Wreck Commissioner paid tribute to the heroism of the Penlee crew, which, he said " . . . enhances the highest traditions of the RNLI in whose service they gave their lives." The barrister representing the RNLI said in his final speech, "If ever one should get caught up in the mood of cynicism which at times characterises the age in which we live, one would do well to remember the men who gave their all at Penlee." / would extend those remarks to include all our lifeboatmen, past and present. For 160 years they have been prepared to give their all. Off the rocky coasts of Cornwall, in the Atlantic swells off western Ireland, in the tidal races of the Pentland Firth, across the sandbanks of the North Sea, lifeboats have carried out incredible and heroic rescues. As governors of the Institution we are here to pay tribute to the bravery of our crews and to assure them that we will continue to support their endeavours by providing the lifeboats and equipment they need. During the past year they have continued the traditions of their forebears.

I am sure you agree with that.' There being no questions, the report and accounts for 1983 were agreed unanimously by a show of hands.

Elections followed of the President, HRH The Duke of Kent; the Vice- Presidents; the Treasurer, the Duke of Northumberland; the Deputy Treasurer, Mr David Acland; and members of the Committee of Management. The names of all those nominated were read out and their election agreed unanimously, again with a show of hands.

Price Waterhouse were appointed auditors for the coming year.

Among matters which were raised as 'any other business' was a question from Rear Admiral M. Morgan Giles, a member of the Committee of Management, asking about the working of the operations room in the headquarters at Poole. Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, the Director, answered: ' The room we have in the headquarters at Poole is called the Central Operations and Information Room (COIR). It is essentially a room in which we gather information from around the country. It is not a room from which we generally direct operations. If you come to think of it, the RNLI is an extremely decentralised organisation, and there is no way in which either myself or the Chief of Operations at Poole can know what the conditions are like at Lerwick or Valentia or anywhere round the country at any instant in time.

So there is no intention that anyone at Poole should do any back-seat driving at lifeboat stations. On the other hand, because we are in contact with the Coastguard, station honorary secretaries are able to contact the COIR for more information.

We are also able to contact the divisional inspectors of lifeboats. It is a splendid source of information.

'We are also able to tell station honorary secretaries if there are events happening we know of that they do not. It is also a position from which station honorary secretaries and divisional inspectors of lifeboats can be reminded of things they ought to be thinking about if an operation is in progress. If there are a number of lifeboat stations involved in any one operation, then again the COIR is in a position to co-ordinate and pass information.' Mr P. R. Threlfall (Wellington, Somerset) then moved that the Committee of Management should be directed to send the meeting's congratulations to every station branch to whose crew members gallantry awards had been made for their magnificent work of saving life at sea. The motion was approved with hearty applause.

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

After the AGM had ended, many of the governors remained in their seats to watch the showing of the RNLI's latest film, 'How Do You Say Thank You?' Then there was time for lunch and a look round the RNLI's displays and stalls before the afternoon presentations of awards meeting. As everyone gathered in the auditorium of the Royal Festival Hall ready to greet Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother there was the cheerful background of music played by the Royal Artillery Band.

At 3 o'clock the Queen Mother was escorted on to the platform by the Duke of Atholl who, after the playing of the National Anthem, opened the proceedings by welcoming Her Majesty and everyone else present.

In his Chairman's address, reviewing 1983, the Duke spoke first of the work of the Institution's lifeboats and lifeboatmen in what had been the busiest year in its history: 'The variety of rescues showed that everybody at sea around our coasts has a great debt to our lifeboatmen: merchant seamen, fishermen, pleasure boat sailors and holidaymakers were all saved last year.' Individual acts of heroism, for which medals for gallantry had been awarded, would be recalled later in the afternoon but, the Duke of Atholl reminded the audience, these were only a few of the rescues carried out during the year which show that the RNLI provides an essential national service to Great Britain and Ireland helping all our people, for as islands, we depend on our maritime trade for our survival. The Duke continued . . .

'This lifeboat service has been run by the RNLI since 1824, and over the past 160 years the voluntary principles on which the Institution was founded have proved sound. Voluntary crews have always been formed of the best seamen available locally, giving their time and skill willingly and freely. People of local knowledge and influence have come forward to run each station efficiently.

Volunteers throughout the country have supported the service by raising the money for the lifeboats. And for 160 years, a voluntary Committee of Management, of which I now have the honour to be Chairman, has managed the Institution's affairs. All this can only be judged in the context of the service provided today. One hundred and sixty years of such activity has led to one of the world's most efficient and modern lifeboat services and although our crews are volunteers, they are professionals in sea rescue. As you listen to the citations for gallantry awards later, reflect on the local knowledge, experience, skill and sheer bravery which were necessary to save each life. I am sure that everybody in this hall will join me when I say that all our lifeboat crews have earned our highest admiration and regard.' The Duke then expressed the Committee of Management's deep appreciation of the tremendous efforts made by the voluntary workers and fund-raising staff who, rising to the challenge once again in 1983, had raised more than £16 million. He also thanked those individuals or associations who, by giving substantial donations, had made possible the building of lifeboats. There were also a number of major appeals under way in 1984 to fund new lifeboats, including three Tyne class boats, for Fraserburgh, The Mumbles and Cromer. These appeals, said the Duke . . .

'. . . show the remarkable strengths of the RNLI: not only are local people prepared to provide crews and committees for their stations but they are also ready to harness their energies to help raise the money for lifeboats and this deserves all our admiration.' He continued, 'The Institution has had a good exposure on television and in the press during the past year. For the very first time, a major documentary series featured the work of a lifeboat station when the BBC screened the programme on the Humber lifeboat in January this year. Coxswain Matthew Lethbridge of the Isles of Scilly was the subject of a 'This Is Your Life' in the same month. Local newspapers and radio stations have given extensive coverage to the book 'All At Sea' edited by Libby Purves, from which the RNLI receives all the royalties. All this has helped to create a healthy atmosphere for raising funds in 1984.

7 can assure you that this money is urgently needed and will be well spent. We have large commitments for expenditure on boat building which must go ahead to keep our fleet modern. We are currently building Arun, Tyne, Brede, Atlantic 21 and D class lifeboats and, by replacing our old, slower classes, we are improving our rescue coverage.

'The capital expenditure programme for 1984 is budgeted at £5.5 million, a massive sum which can be understood when the cost of a Tyne class lifeboat is £430,000.

Indeed, as the building period for a lifeboat ranges from 18 months to two years, our forward financial commitments are considerable, and to help meet them a fleet reserve fund of £900,000 has been established. Notwithstanding this, we ended the 1983 financial year with a surplus of £427,000, roughly the equivalent of one Tyne class lifeboat.' Announcing that the financial target for 1984 is over £18 million, the Duke said, 7 am confident that, with the enthusiasm of branches and guilds, the generosity of the public and the help of individuals, organisations and charitable trusts, this sum will be raised. It seems a huge task, but when it is broken down into small amounts which can be raised at individual events, and when these thousands of events are added up, the target becomes attainable.' The Duke of Atholl now welcomed The Queen Mother . . .

'It is indeed a pleasure and an honour to introduce you today, Your Majesty, as everybody in this gathering is aware of the close personal interest which you have shown in the work of the RNLI for so many years.' Before the Queen Mother was invited to address the meeting and present the awards, however, there was a special presentation, unique in the Institution's history. The Clothworkers' Foundation had most generously sponsored an official ceremonial colour for the RNLI, commissioning the Royal School of Needlework to undertake the work.

The colour, which will only be used on very special occasions, was presented to Her Majesty, a Patron of the Institution, by Mr James Westoll, Chairman of the Clothworkers' Foundation. The Queen Mother then handed the colour into the care of the colour bearer, Coxswain Leonard Patten of Newhaven, who, escorted by Second Assistant Mechanic Brian Ashdown and Crew Member Ian Johns, bore it proudly off the platform and through the crowded auditorium of the Festival Hall to the stirring accompaniment of the Royal Artillery Band. It was a splendid and moving interlude.

HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother then rose to speak: 7 must begin by thanking the Clothworkers' Foundation for marking the RNLI's 160th anniversary with the presentation of such a splendid colour, so beautifully embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework. The colour is a most fitting tribute to everyone who has been involved with the lifeboat service in the past, and it will carry forward their deeds to those who will serve in the future.

'Every lifeboat station is different, but it is the lifeboats which are the focus, not only for the crew members, their families, and the local branch committees, but also for the fund raisers, whether on the coast or inland.

'I believe it can be likened to a large family. When the maroons are fired, and the call for action comes, it is the result of the combined effort in which everyone has played their part which leads to a successful outcome of the service.

Through the years I have shared with lifeboatmen, their wives, sons and daughters, the joy of a new lifeboat to help them continue their work. I know the pride which they all feel in that boat, and in being part of the RNLI.

'I have also shared the grief of a whole community which has suffered the terrible loss of its lifeboat crew in a disaster. As I have a small house on the shores of the Pentland Firth, nearly opposite Longhope, I have some idea of the violence of a great storm at sea. I know how great, at such a time of tragedy, is the personal sorrow of each person in the community, and how noble is the quiet courage and strength of the widows and mothers.

'When lifeboatmen are at sea, battling against the storm, there will always be anxious moments for their loved ones.

The perils of the sea are the same today as they were when the RNLI was founded, and, though lifeboat design may advance, lifeboatmen will always have a dangerous, although a most rewarding, task. For the remarkable work of the RNLI will continue to be undertaken in the future in the same fine spirit as in the past.

'We know that our lifeboatmen have always been held in high regard. We hear of the terrible winds and waves they face; we read of their brave rescues, and we are full of admiration. But we are also aware of their human warmth and their kindness.

All the lifeboatmen I have met regard themselves as ordinary people, doing a job which somebody has to tackle.

To me, it is their humanity which sets them apart, as much as their bravery.

'The virtues which have always been displayed by the lifeboatmen: courage, humanity, kindness—can be seen in the young men and women stepping forward every day, volunteering to join lifeboat crews. When they become part of the team, they find new disciplines to accept.

These are not formal, rigid disciplines, but rather the necessity to work under the leadership of the coxswain or helmsman, to sacrifice individual aims for those of the group, and to tackle the adversary which they all face—the sea.

'As one of your Patrons, I listened with great interest to the Chairman's report, and I noted the vigour and versatility of both crews and fund raisers. The RNLI is so strong and generous and true, as it has been for the past 160 years, and it is therefore with particular pleasure that I propose 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.' The Queen Mother then presented the awards for gallantry to the following lifeboatmen with the exception of Captain William Sinclair, coxswain of Kirkwall lifeboat, who had received his bronze medal on May 10 from HRH The Duke of Kent at a ceremony at Kirkwall (see page 39): Helmsman Desmond Rogers, Portaferry: bronze medal On December 19, 1982, Helmsman Rogers rescued a man from his stranded yacht, her keel wedged between two rocks, in a south-westerly force 8 gale gusting to storm force 10, high seas and darkness. He took his 17ft 6in Zodiac Mk IV D class inflatable lifeboat in to a sheltered gully to take the survivor on board. The lifeboat then continued down wind to the eastern shore of Strangford Lough, searching for a missing man on the way. By now the wind had increased to storm force 10 and the lifeboat was continually awash; the helmsman had to use his extensive local knowledge, his experience and his wits to make safe progress. The missing man, safe on an island, was recovered next morning. (Full report, page 294, THE LIFEBOAT, winter 1983/84.) Helmsman David Munday, Selsey: bronze medal On October 5, 1983, Helmsman Munday took three survivors from a motor cruiser which was breaking up in heavy seas against a timber groyne. In darkness and spray and a south-westerly strong breeze, force 6, he brought his D class inflatable lifeboat alongside the casualty where his crew persuaded the three survivors to jump into the lifeboat.

Although the lifeboat was filled with water Helmsman Munday drove clear of the casualty and the groyne to safety. (Full report, page 5, THE LIFEBOAT, spring 1984.) Coxswain William Sinclair (Captain), Kirkwall: bronze medal On January 22, 1984, Captain Sinclair, in the 70ft Clyde class lifeboat Grace Paterson Ritchie successfully made the passage between Kirkwall and the island of Rousay in a full blizzard, reducing visibility to a few hundred yards, and in a violent south-easterly storm, force 11. A fishing vessel had grounded among rocks on the shore at Rousay and with waves breaking over her, she was rolling heavily. Captain Sinclair anchored, veered down on the casualty and, getting a line on board, pulled her and her crew of three clear of the rocks to safety. (Full report, page 43.) Coxswain Michael Scales, St Peter Port: bronze medal On January 24, 1984, Coxswain Scales rescued nine men from a ship's lifeboat after the capsize in the English Channel of the Liberian freighter Radiant Med in a west-north-westerly strong gale, force 9, gusting to violent storm, force 11. In breaking seas over 40 feet high, in severe hail squalls and in darkness, the 52ft Arun class lifeboat Sir William Arnold was brought alongside the ship's lifeboat and nine survivors, some in very poor condition, were hauled aboard. (Full report, page 41.) Eleanor Evans, Rhos-on-Sea: inscribed wristwatch On February 28, 1984, 17-year-old Eleanor Evans took the helm of her college's 16ft rigid inflatable rescue boat and with her lecturer, Brian Allen, put to sea after they had sighted a small boat in trouble. After a man had been found unconscious in the water, Brian Allen took the helm and following a search a second man and two children were also pulled aboard. One of the children was also unconscious and hypothermic and Eleanor Evans sustained him with her body heat on the return to the beach. (Full report, page 46.) Mark Lacey, Fairbourne, Gwynedd: inscribed wristwatch On July 26, 1983, Mark Lacey, a 14-year-old schoolboy, rescued a man from the sea with his ten-foot inflatable boat in an easterly offshore moderate to fresh breeze, force 4 to 5, giving a moderate sea and a slight swell. The man had fallen from a cheap plastic inflatable, and as he grabbed the gunwale of Mark's boat, put it in real danger of capsize. Despite this he was hauled aboard and brought safely back to shore. (Full report, page 44.) Crew Member Arthur Hill, Largs: silver medal On July 24,1983, Arthur Hill saved a girl who was trapped under the hull of an upturned motor cruiser. He jumped overboard from the Largs Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat and dived underneath the upturned boat. With little air left and amid diesel fumes, Arthur Hill succeeded in pushing the girl down under the side of the boat so that she could be pulled to safety by the lifeboat's helmsman; he himself then managed to get himself out from under the hull unaided. (Full report, page 293, THE LIFEBOAT, winter 1983/84.) Coxswain Michael Berry, St Helier: bar to his silver medal On September 3, 1983, Coxswain Berry took his lifeboat, the 44ft Waveney class Thomas James King, three miles in among rocks to rescue three people from a yacht in a force 9 strong west-south-westerly gale, pitch darkness, driving rain and 20-foot waves. The lifeboat twice struck rocks before the coxswain was able to find a way back out to the open sea after the rescue. (Full report, page 292, THE LIFEBOAT, winter 1983/84.) Coxswain Michael Grant, Selsey: bar to his silver medal On September 9, 1983, Coxswain Grant rescued six people from a grounded yacht in a southerly force 8 gale, shallow water, darkness and large, irregular breaking seas. The 48ft 6in Oakley class lifeboat Charles Henry regularly hit the bottom as she closed on the casualty and at one point a large wave filled the cockpit to waist height.

A successful approach was made, the crew were taken off and a line secured aboard the casualty to tow her to safety.

(Full report, page 5, THE LIFEBOAT, spring 1984.) Coxswain Thomas Cocking, Senior, St Ives: bar to his silver medal On January 3, 1984, Coxswain Cocking, in two separate services, both carried out in a north-north-westerly strong gale, force 9, heavy seas and shallow water, first rescued seven men from a tug being driven on shore with a wire around her propeller, then took off the crew of seven from a Dutch coaster dragging her anchor towards the shore.

In the second rescue the relief 37ft Oakley lifeboat, The Vincent Nesfield, had to make seven runs in to the casualty in 15-foot waves. (Full report, page 41.) Since the last annual presentation of awards meeting the Committee of Management had awarded three honorary life governorships, two bars to the gold badge and 20 gold badges for long and distinguished service. Most of the recipients were present to receive their awards from the Queen Mother. Unfortunately, however, Mrs Aplin and Mr O'Byrne were not able to be at the Royal Festival Hall and sadly Mr Cockayne had died a few weeks before the meeting; his gold badge was presented to his widow, Mrs Peggy Cockayne. Mr Carl Giles, QBE Mr Giles has drawn cartoons to be used as lifeboat Christmas cards in 1969 and then from 1972 to 1983.

Mrs B. J. Harding Honorary secretary of Seaton, Beer and District branch since 1941; awarded silver badge 1972 and gold badge 1977.

Mr C. M. Kershaw Committee member of Bradford branch from 1927 to 1953, honorary secretary from 1953 to 1973 and chairman since 1973; awarded gold badge in 1965.

Bar to Gold Badge Mrs A. Duttson Honorary secretary of Fareham branch from 1947 to 1979, lifeboat week organiser and chairman from 1979 to 1981 and president since 1981; awarded silver badge 1958, chairman's letter 1970 and gold badge 1974.

Mrs E. Townend Honorary secretary of Bridlington ladies' guild from 1946 to 1969, honorary treasurer from 1949 to 1950 and vice-chairman since 1977; awarded silver badge 1957 and gold badge 1969.

Gold Badge Lt-Cdr R. C. Wilson Committee member of Heston and Isleworth branch from 1951 to 1957. Committee member of Twickenham branch from 1958 to 1968, publicity officer 1968 to 1982 and joint vice-chairman and publicity officer since 1982. Awarded silver badge 1972. Miss J. Walden Committee member of Hasting ladies' guild from 1949 to 1963, honorary treasurer from 1963 to 1972 and honorary secretary since 1972; awarded silver badge 1974.

Mrs B. A. J. Divers Lifeboat day organiser ofSouthwick and Fishergate branch from 1947 to 1958 and honorary secretary since 1958; awarded silver badge 1972.

Mrs L. W. Aplin Flag week helper of Exeter branch from 1954 to 1966. Honorary secretary of Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton ladies' guild from 1966 to 1975 and chairman since 1975. Awarded silver badge 1978.

Miss A. G. Illingworth Committee member of Torquay branch and ladies' guild from 1930 to 1961, honorary secretary from 1961 to 1975 and chairman since 1975; awarded silver badge 1972.

Mrs M. Appleby-Matthews Various offices of Tamworth ladies' guild, including honorary secretary and chairman, since 1959; awarded silver badge 1971.

Miss F. E. H. Shackleton, JP Honorary secretary of Rochdale ladies' guild from 1947 to 1959 and vicepresident since 1959; awarded record of thanks 1952 and silver badge 1966.

Mrs M. Saunders A founder member of Blyth ladies' guild, honorary treasurer from 1934 to 1976 and president since 1977; awarded silver badge 1961.

Mrs J. Rose Member of Portrush ladies' guild from 1931 to 1948. Various offices held in Ilford ladies' guild from 1948 to 1968.

Chairman of Heworth ladies' guild since 1968. Awarded silver badge 1977. Mrs Rose has helped the RNL1 since 1927; she was instrumental in forming Ilford guild in 1948 and formed Heworth guild in 1968.

Mrs J. Hiley Chairman of Leeds ladies' guild from 1954 to 1975. Chairman of Leeds luncheon club from 1955 to 1975. President of Horsforth ladies' guild since 1970.

Awarded silver brooch 1972.

Mrs T. Matheson Honorary secretary of Morpeth ladies' guild from 1954 to 1960 and chairman since 1960; awarded silver badge 1972.

Mrs M. Judge Assistant honorary secretary of Wakefield ladies guild from 1952 to 1955, honorary secretary from 1955 to 1969, chairman from 1969 to 1975, acting honorary secretary from 1975 to 1977 and honorary secretary and treasurer since 1977; awarded silver badge 1966.

Miss M. Johnston Honorary secretary of Burnmouth branch since 1959; awarded silver badge 1970.

Lady Gilmour President of Lundin Links and Largo ladies' guild since 1945; awarded letter of thanks 1958.

Mrs D. Macintosh Committee member of Thurso ladies' guild from 1953 to 1972 and president from 1972 to 1982. President of Thurso branch since 1982.

Mr P. Cheney Chairman and honorary secretary of Littlehampton station branch since 1966; awarded binoculars 1974.

Mr K. Derham Honorary secretary of Mudeford station branch from 1963 to 1976 and chairman and deputy launching authority since 1976; awarded binoculars 1976 and silver medal for a shoreboat rescue in 1959.

Mr D. Cockayne Honorary secretary of Selsey station branch from 1965 until his death in April 1984; awarded binoculars 1976.

Mr J. W. Daniel, JP Committee member of St Ives station branch from 1953 to 1956 and chairman since 1956; awarded statuette in 1972 and silver badge 1980.

Mr J. T. O'Byrne, BSC Honorary secretary of Wicklow station branch from 1943 to 1970, chairman from 1970 to 1982 and president since 1982; awarded barometer 1954.

In moving the resolution of the hearty thanks of the meeting to the Queen Mother for so graciously attending, for her inspiring address and for presenting the awards, Rear-Admiral M. Morgan- Giles, a member of the Committee of Management, said: 'It seems fitting that while we celebrate the Institution's 160th anniversary, we should also thank our Patron for the very many years of active support which she has given to the RNLI. Indeed, some of us feel that she should, perhaps, today be receiving awards for long service instead of handing them out.

'Your Majesty, since as long ago as 1924 you have attended innumerable ceremonies and honoured the Institution by naming many new lifeboats.. We remember with particular gratitude the kindness and the comfort which you afforded the people of Longhope following the loss of their crew in 1969, to which you referred this afternoon.

'The people of Jersey also remember your visit to the St Helier boat in 1975, and they look forward to welcoming you there again next month.

'Ladies and gentlemen, as our Chairman said today, the appeal of the lifeboat extends from the palace to the cottage. It is above and beyond any national and political boundaries - a fact which I, as a former Member of Parliament, most thoroughly endorse.

'Lifeboats are manned by sailors, on behalf of sailors, in the great comradeship of the sea. Your Majesty, all of us in the RNLI feel that you, personally, do know and understand sailors. You were the wife of a sailor; your father-in-law, King George V, was a sailor and a great yachtsman; and you are the mother-in-law of a very skilled and experienced seaman, Prince Philip. Further, you are the grandmother of three excellent sailors, one of whom, Prince Andrew, most particularly distinguished himself in action as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands campaign.

These Naval and Royal Air Force helicopters, as we all know, do sterling work in saving life at sea, often in close co-operation with RNLI lifeboats. But also, Your Majesty, you are the great grandmother of a fine little prince who, by God's grace, will one day become King William V, bearing the same name as a previous sailor king a century-and-a-half ago.

'So when you, Your Majesty, our Patron, hear on your radio, 'Attention all shipping. The Meteorological Office has issued the following gale warning,' and so on, we know that you can visualise exactly what is entailed. Most of us, of course, can just pull up the blankets a bit further under our chins, but always some lifeboatmen, somewhere, will instead be having to turn out of their warm beds, to put on their seaboot stockings and hurry down through the cold night to their stations, ready for anything, ready to meet what you, Your Majesty, called their adversary, the sea.

'The RNLI, it has been said, is based on past tradition and builds its future on innovation. But it could not thrive without inspiration. And this is why we all appreciate the fact that you, Your Majesty, who have done so much for all that is good in this nation, continue to provide that inspiration for us all in the RNLI. As our Patron you have most richly earned our respect, our admiration and, if I may say so, our affection.' After the whole-hearted applause with which this resolution of thanks was received had died down and the meeting had ended, everyone adjourned to the foyer for tea. Now there was the opportunity for the Queen Mother to talk informally to a number of those to whom, earlier in the afternoon, she had presented awards and to meet their families. Later, when Her Majesty finally left the Royal Festival Hall, she was preceded by the RNLI's new colour and she had a word or smile for many of the crowd of lifeboat supporters who lined the way to bid her farewell. It was the close of an outstandingly happy day..