Commemorative jubilee medals presented to RNLI crews at Lymington and Calshot

A COMMEMORATIVE medal to mark the Queen's platinum jubilee has been awarded to Lymington and Calshot RNLI crew members.

Eighteen members from Lymington and 15 from Calshot received the medals to mark five or more years' service, as the Queen is patron of the voluntary organisation.

She took on the role in 1952 when she came to the throne following on from the charity's first patron, her father King George VI.

Claire Deuchar, chief information officer and strategy director for the RNLI, presented the medals to Lymington crew members Allan Punton, Barry Down, Ben Bradley-Watson, Dave Hall, Ian McFarlane, James Douch, James Lever, John Husband, John West, Kevin Coster, Leon Hockley, Mike Crowe, Nick Hayward, Paul Harrison, Philip Baker, Richard Clarke, Simon Naylor and Simon Nuding.

At Calshot medals were handed out by John Horton to crew members Andy Headley, Damian Lester, Diane Carrier, Glenn Pearson, Graham Burgess, Joe Peoples, Jon Headley, Mark Laughlin, Martin Bean, Matthew Rawlins, Mark Weatherhead, Paul Courcha, Paul Sleep, Tim Pettis and Tony Carrier.

John has been with Calshot since the station's inception in 1970, and in 2020 was awarded the British Empire Medal for his services to the RNLI.

However, due to Covid delaying John receiving his medal, followed by some ill health, the team had until now been unable to celebrate John’s award.

RNLI chief executive Mark Dowie said: "I am delighted to see so many RNLI volunteers and staff being recognised by this prestigious award alongside other frontline members of the emergency services, prison services and the armed forces.

"The platinum jubilee medal follows a long history of awarding medals to mark jubilee celebrations and this is the fourth medal under Her Majesty the Queen’s reign."

He added: "It is a testament to the selflessness and dependability of our people that many have served the RNLI long enough to have been awarded all four Jubilee medals.

"My congratulations and thanks go to all the recipients and our thousands of other volunteers and staff who work tirelessly to deliver our essential lifesaving services in our mission to save every one."