ALL GROWN UP

Back in 2012, photographer Nigel Millard took a picture of the children of Tobermory’s crew trying on their parents’ kit. Almost 5 years later, the station recreated the iconic shot. Alexander Anderson (second from right), son of former Station Mechanic Jock Anderson, is now a member of the crew, having joined last year aged 17.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD!

Congratulations to Conwy Helm Leon Kynaston, who become the very proud father of Ayla Michelle Kynaston in October. Ayla was photographed in her dad’s RNLI helmet at the lifeboat station.
Leon says: ‘The support we have received from everyone at Conwy RNLI is fantastic. Family is very important to us volunteers, as no matter what time of the day or night our pagers sound, they support us in our roles. Although now it’s not only my pager that wakes me up in the middle of the night!’

Ron Cannon mbe

Tributes have been paid to Ron Cannon, who served as a crew member for 37 years at Ramsgate Lifeboat Station.

Ron joined the crew in 1964 and became the station’s youngest coxswain/mechanic in 1976 – a post he held for 25 years. He was awarded two Silver Medals for Gallantry; one for a rescue on Boxing Day 1985, when Ramsgate RNLI saved the crew of a French trawler. In 2017, Ron was awarded the MBE for his services to the RNLI. Ron’s legacy lives on, as his son Ian is now the coxswain at Ramsgate, and his granddaughter Becky is on the crew too. Ron will be greatly missed by his family, his friends, and the whole community of Ramsgate.

Words: Nikki McMullen
Photos: Along Came Harri Photography,
RNLI/(Sam Jones, Nigel Millard, John Ray)

Celebrating life
Join us in remembering our RNLI Family members who have recently passed away.
Graham Anderson – September 2017
Former Mechanic at Lochinver Lifeboat Station
Stephen Baker – January 2018
Former Fundraising Development Manager
Tom Beattie – December 2017
Engineer, closely involved in the RNLI’s building projects
Les Beck – December 2017
Volunteer at Workington Lifeboat Station
John Buchan – May 2017
Former Coxswain/Mechanic at Peterhead Lifeboat Station
Brian Buxton – November 2017
President of the Porthleven and District Branch
Ron Cannon mbe – January 2018
Former Coxswain/Mechanic at Ramsgate Lifeboat Station
Ian Chatten – January 2018
President of the Welling, Eltham and Sidcup Branch
Gary Cross – October 2017
Volunteer at Northwich Branch
Sally Fearn – January 2018
Fundraiser at Salcombe Branch
Commander Peter Gladwin – August 2017
Former Superintendent of the Inshore Lifeboat Centre at Cowes
Robert Gray – October 2017
Former Crew Member at Weymouth Lifeboat Station
Isabella Hill – November 2017
Former Fundraising Coordinator
Peter Inglis – November 2017
Press Officer at Workington Lifeboat Station
Doris Lloyd – January 2018
President of the Wroxham and District Branch
Willie Melville – November 2017
Volunteer at Oban Lifeboat Station
Archer Metcalfe – December 2017
Volunteer at Lytham St Annes Lifeboat Station
Tommy Ralston – December 2017
Former Coxswain/Mechanic at Mallaig Lifeboat Station
Peter Shaw – October 2017
Former Chairman at Cambridge Fundraising Branch
Matthew Thompson –
January 2018
Crew Member at Workington Lifeboat Station
Jackie Tull – October 2017
Former Events Coordinator at the RNLI College
Helen Whitehill – October 2017
Chairwoman of the Southport Branch
Keith Willacy – January 2018
Volunteer at Morecambe Lifeboat Station
John Williams MBE – December 2017
Volunteer at Porthcawl Lifeboat Station
Bob Wooldridge – December 2017
Founding member of the Knowle and Dorridge Branch

THE MARK OF A LIFESAVER

Our volunteers give up their time and energy to save lives at sea. And many of them give up a body part too – showing their commitment to the RNLI with a tattoo

Ben Thomson, Broughty Ferry

Ben joined the crew 6 months after being rescued with his friend Gavin by the RNLI. ‘My little girl and Gavin’s little boy sing a song to each other where they say: “Love you lots like jelly tots.” We were singing it to each other while waiting for rescue because we had to get home to the kids.’ 

Martyn Brock, Angle

‘Being a part of the lifeboat is a big chapter in my life, so I wanted a tattoo to show it. Everyone likes it apart from my nan – she hates all my tattoos!’

Peter Uprichard, Newcastle

‘I had always wanted to get a tattoo to symbolise the reward I get from volunteering. I just didn’t know what to get. Then one day I while cleaning my PPE (personal protective equipment) I had the idea of the gecko in the helmet and lifejacket.’

Matt Steeden, Swanage

‘My grandad and also my father were coxswain. This is a sign of my commitment to lifesaving and a way of remembering what my family have given the RNLI.’

Andrew Hairstens, Wexford

‘I added the helicopter to the tattoo in memory of the crew of Rescue 116, the Coast Guard helicopter that crashed last year. We had done a lot of work with the pilot, Dara Fitzpatrick.’