The Imperial War Museum at Duxford near Cambridge, a former Battle of Britain Air Station which now houses an impressive collection of military aircraft and vehicles, may not seem the most obvious place to find a lifeboat.

However Jesse Lumb, a Watson class lifeboat built in 1939, is perfectly at home there and has been obtained by the museum because of her role in the Second World War. Like many of her sister ships Jesse Lumb rescued many shot-down airmen and other victims of enemy attack.

The lifeboat was stationed at Bembridge on the Isle of Wight from 1939 to 1970 and then served for a further 10 years in the relief fleet.

Now, after two years of painstaking research and restoration.

Jesse Lumb has been returned to her original condition for display at the museum, thanks to the efforts of the museum staff, sponsors Crescent Marine and the work ofRoyston's RNLI branch.

Appropriately Jesse Lumb was unveiled during September 1990, the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain with Fred Wills, her mechanic for 15 years, and Martin Woodward, second coxswain of the present lifeboat, in attendance..