Glasgow, June 11, 1986: the relief Arun class lifeboat ON 1108 visited the City of Glasgow for her official naming ceremony and service of dedication. She had been substantially funded from the legacy of a former resident of Glasgow, Miss Margaret Russell Fraser, who had specifically requested that her bequest should benefit the RNLI in Scotland. The lifeboat, dressed overall, had among her crew no fewer than four Scottish recipients of RNLI gallantry medals—Coxswain Alexander Gilchrist, Campbeltown (silver). Coxswain Ian Johnson.

Troon (silver). Coxswain Mike Storey. Girvan (bronze) and Crew Member Arthur Hill of Largs (silver). Before a backcloth of the survey ship. HMS Hecate, she provided a splendid spectacle for more than 200 invited guests who gathered at the Yorkhill Basin, Glasgow.

The preparation of the site and the provision of all facilities had been gratuitously and meticulously attended to by the local authority's Parks and Recreation department. With a 40-strong Salvation Army Veterans Band providing stirring music, the stage was set for Cdr Cargill Sandeman to welcome the guests from the city and many neighbouring guilds and branches. This included twelve Storm Force members from the Barrassie School in Troon. two of whom presented bouquets to the ladies on the platform. Miss Mary Shanks, a personal friend of the deceased and an executor of her estate (above, r), handed the boat over to the RNLI. represented on this occasion by Lt Cdr Brian Miles, deputy director (2nd r).

With the moving dedication of the boat performed. The Lady Provost of Glasgow. Mrs Mary Gray, spoke generously of the RNLI and in so doing announced the Lord Provost's pleasure in being associated with a proposed City of Glasgow Lifeboat Appeal which would fund an Arun class lifeboat to go on station at Troon. With this welcome news Mrs Gray proceeded to the quayside and named the lifeboat Margaret Russell Fraser. The bottle broke, the whole assembly cheered and the boat manoeuvred alongside to take the platform party afloat on the River Clyde. This had been a unique occasion for the City of Glasgow and a rare opportunity for committees in the area to participate in a naming ceremony.—K.T..