VISIT BY HM THE QUEEN TO MEET THE NEWHAVEN LIFEBOAT CREW 1962

I was there as one of crew, what a day that was. We had the freedom of the town. Cresta Marine opened the same day!

Thank you Colin for your comments.. do you recognise the boy wearing glasses in the front row that would later take over from Bob Holden and become head launcher at the lifeboat station!

Of course I do, its a young "Trotter". We had all been given strict instructions on what to do, what not to do, what to say, and what not to say. "Do not grip the Queen's hand". "Do not start a conversation with her". "Just say pleased to meet you Ma'am".

We had all been loaned the ceremonial Lifeboat Uniform, (Red woollen long bob hat, Blue RNLI jersey's and black trousers) for the day. But we had been told we had to supply our own black shoes. On the day, we all arrived in black shoes except Ken Wood who did not possess any, and he had on a pair of brown ones. So a quick change of shoes was made with a member of the watching crowd and Ken, along with the rest of us, was ready to meet the Queen.

The Queen did meet the Lifeboat crew on this visit but the 'Kathleen Mary' was named on 13 July 1959 by H.R.H Duchess of Kent, President of the RNLI.

I presented flowers to her in a posh frock bought for the occasion! Usually, my dresses were sewn by my mother.

Could the lady on the extreme left be Doris Cole, mother of Fred - the Meeching Junior School teacher?

Yes the lady on the extreme left is Doris Cole. She was my great aunt.