King and Queen honour Hunstanton RNLI crew members

Volunteers at Hunstanton RNLI were presented with special commemorative medals, before taking part in the town's Remembrance service on Sunday.

The honours were created to mark the coronation of the RNLI's patron King Charles III and Queen Camilla last May.

The medal was awarded to members of the armed forces, along with personnel from emergency services, such as the RNLI, who had completed five years' continuous service and were in service at the time of the coronation.

Some 4,500 of the medals were presented to front line RNLI volunteers and staff with Hunstanton receiving 18 of them.

Those honoured at the West Norfolk station were: Justin Aldiss, Jon Butler, Dave Cleland, Andrew Craven, Vic Dade, Ryan Darby, Ian Devenney, Ivan Espley, Leesa Espley, Charlie Groundsell, Matty Groundsell, Josh Haycock, Ed Napolitano, Mark Nicholson, Charlie Parfitt, Roger Smith, Paul Stewart and Lee Torrice.

They were presented with their awards by Hunstanton RNLI chairperson Charles le Strange Meakin, to applause from crew mates.

Charles, whose family has been closely involved ever since a lifeboat service was first founded in Hunstanton 200 years ago, said: “It was an honour and a privilege to present these awards to some of the committed people who volunteer at our station.”

This year marks the 200th anniversary of both the RNLI and the founding of a lifeboat service at Hunstanton.