Coxswain David Clemence of Ilfracombe (South West Division) joined the lifeboat crew in 1954 and was second coxswain for three months in 1972 before being appointed coxswain in the same year.

In 1981 he was awarded a framed letter of appreciation signed by the chairman, the Duke of Atholl, for his leadership and tenacity when the lifeboat was launched under very difficult conditions and searched very close to a lee shore for a young man and a boy who had jumped overboard from the yacht Springtide.

In 1984 he was awarded a bronze medal in recognition of his courage, leadership and seamanship when the lifeboat rescued a crew member, landed a body and saved the yacht Liberty which was dragging her anchor and being swept towards rocks in a north westerly gale and a very rough sea.

David, who is married and has three children, is a fisherman..