APRIL 24TH. - MARGATE, KENT. At 6.30 P.M. a message was received from the coastguard that an aeroplane had crashed into the sea one and a half miles north-east from the look-out, and at 6.40 P.M. the motor life-boat The Lord Southborough (Civil Service No. 1) was launched. A strong easterly gale was blowing, with a heavy sea. With the help of a Lysander aeroplane the life-boat found and rescued a young Rhodesian pilot.

He was uninjured, but delirious from cold and shock. Because of the very heavy sea running and because there would not be sufficient water to enter Margate Harbour until 9 o’clock, the life-boat made for Ramsgate.

On the way she sent, a message by daylight signal lamp to Foreness Signal Station, asking that medical help should be ready. She landed the pilot at 8 P.M. and stayed at Ramsgate for the night. At 9.45 A.M. the next morning, 25th April, she left for Margate, arriving there at 11 A.M., but owing to the bad weather she could not be rehoused until the 28th. Thanks were received from the naval authorities and the R.A.F. - Rewards, £10 18s.