Sir,

It was interesting to read in your issue of January 15 that Alan Thomas had retired as coxswain of the Tenby lifeboat after 44 years service with the RNLI.

A modest man, he would be the last person to suggest that his long and distinguished service at coxswain is a record for the Tenby station. But such is the case.

He comes from a long line of men committed to the RNLI. In 1834, his forebear, John Ray, was awarded the Honorary Medallion of the Royal Humane Society for his efforts to save a boy on the distressed sloop 'Mary.' Since then, innumerable family members have followed in the footsteps of John Ray, including Alan's father, William Ray Thomas ('Billy Ila'), who was coxswain from 1958-1968.

For many years, the boats were crewed by men who mainly earned their livelihood directly or indirectly from the sea, and who were an integral part of the harbour community. That community is no longer recognisable as the entity that it once was and such changes are inevitable, given our rapidly changing society. Surnames such as Thomas, Richards, Lewis, Williams, Davies, Hooper, Crockford, Griffiths, Wickland, Way, Brooking, Kingdom, Rowse, Claxton, Rees, Jones and their extended families are very much a part of the Tenby station's history and the memory of them deserve our utmost admiration and respect.

In addition to their accepted sea-going abilities, the benchmark for the true lifeboatman will always be their willingness to attend a 'shout' at all times and in all weathers. Resolve such as this is not confined to lifeboatmen, as we are well aware, volunteer firemen and cliff rescue members are in the same category, for they too possess a resolution which is unique to them.

It is to be hoped that in the years ahead, young men (and perhaps young women), irrespective of name or background, will come forward to serve these vital services and follow in the tradition of such as Alan Thomas.

G. Childs.