Matt Lethbridge, lifeboat Cox 1st july 1956 retired 20 january 1985 39 yrs in service 29 as cox
Header pic left to right D Woodcock,P Woodcock,A jenkins,Tim Richards,H leighbridge,Boy Matt (cox) Doc Bell, R Terry,R Duncan ,G Simmons,W Phillips,(Harbour Master) Front Row, B Burrow ,R Leithbridge,R Guy,Doc Mills
Saturday, 16 May 2009
ex-R.N.L.B. The Guy and Clare Hunter as she is now. Fully restored to as near the original Livery and appearance as she was when on service. COURTESY (Quinton Nelson'OWNER)
1956 new coxswain Matthew Lethbridge jnr ,the son of former coxswain Matthew lethbridge who acted as second coxswain from 1920-1956 and was awarded silver medal 1927 and bronze medal 1955 1967 a framed letter of appreciation, signed by the chairman of the institution,was sent to the coxswain and crew for services rendered to the ‘Torrey canyon’ of Monrovia, which went aground on the seven stones on 18 march .the coxswain and crew were also granted additional monetary awards .the crew of the ‘Torrey canyon’ gave a donation towards the cost of erecting a plaque in the boat house expressing their appreciation for the help given 1967 silver medal awarded to coxswain Matthew lethbridge jnr bronze medals to second coxswain Ernest guy and motor mechanic William burrow and the thanks of the institution inscribed on vellum were accorded to the remainder of the crew for rescuing the crew of 19 and saving the yacht ‘Braemar’ which had developed a serious leak 28 miles from bishop rock on 22/23 may .the yacht was carrying an itn television crew to record the arrival of Francis Chichester on ‘Gypsy Moth’. 1970 Silver Second – Service clasp to Coxswain Matthew Lethbridge Jnr, Bronze Second – Service Clasps to Second Coxswain Ernest Guy and Motor Mechanic William Burrow and the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum were accorded to the remainder of the crew for the rescue of ten persons from the Swedish motor vessel ‘Nordanhav’ listing heavily in a gale force west by southerly wind and a very rough sea on the morning of the 21st February. 1972 The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum accorded to Coxswain Matthew Lethbridge when the lifeboat under his command saved the yacht ‘Moronel’ and the crew of two 15 miles SE of St Marys in a north easterly gale and a very rough sea on 11th March. Similar recognition was made to crew member Rodney Terry who at considerable risk to his own safety, jumped from the lifeboat to the yacht ‘Moronel’ to help the crew who were in difficulties. 1975 Matthew Lethbridge Jnr awarded BEM in New Year’s Honours List. 1977 The Silver Third-Service Clasp awarded to Coxswain Matthew Lethbridge BEM in recognition of the courage, determination and seamanship displayed be him when he lifeboat under his command made repeated attempts to reach the crew on board the French trawler ‘Enfant de Bretagne’ which eventually broke up after being stranded on a rock about two miles ease-south-east of the Bishop Rock Lighthouse and then searched for survivors amongst many unchartered in a fresh South westerly wind and very heavy swell in the darkness of the early hours of 13 February. The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were accorded to the other members of the crew. 1979 A special framed certificate awarded to the coxswain and crew for display at the station in recognition of their services in connection with numerous yachts in difficulties during the Fastnet race on 14 August. 1982 The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum accorded to coxswain Matthew Lethbridge BEM in recognition of the skill and determination displayed by him, when the lifeboat ‘ Robert Edgar’ rescued the crew of two of the yacht ‘Concherto’ which was in difficulties twenty-five miles north-north-east of Round Island in a south-south-westerly storm, high seas and very heavy rain squalls on 22 June. 1983 The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum accorded to coxswain Matthew Lethbridge BEM in recognition of the determination and seamanship displayed by him, when the lifeboat ‘ Sir Max Aitken’ on temporary duty at St Mary’s rescued six people from the water approximately three miles east by north of Penninnis Head on 16 July after a helicopter had crashed in dense fog and dangerous waters. 1985 Matthew Lethbridge retired on 20 January having served nearly 40 years in the St Mary’s Lifeboats, the last 29 as Coxswain.
No comments:
Post a Comment