Remembering former Troon lifeboat crew member Tom Brown

Over several decades, Tom served the RNLI in operational, shore-based and fundraising roles, making an enduring contribution to Troon lifeboat station and the wider RNLI community.

Tom joined the lifeboat crew in the 1970s. He served as a first aider, radio and radar operator, navigator and Deputy Second Coxswain aboard Waveney class and Arun class lifeboats, as well as the many conventional relief lifeboats that served at Troon. He also held shore-based roles, including Deputy Launching Authority and Honorary Secretary.

As a crew member, Tom took part in many notable rescues and helped to save many lives. Service calls included the catamaran Mellow Yellow, where the crew saved three people; the speedboat Keith 2, where four were saved; the converted MFV Girl Mairi, where three people and a dog were saved; and the cabin cruiser Rothesay Traveller, from which four people were saved. Tom was also aboard the lifeboat for three service calls on the same day in hurricane-force 12 winds. The calls involved the MFV Golden Years, the Danish coaster Else Gitte, and assistance to 12 members of the Rothesay Coastguard Team. During these callouts, the lifeboat was at sea for 12 hours.

As Area Organiser for south-west Scotland, Tom was also deeply involved in RNLI fundraising where he regularly led fundraising efforts and gave many talks about the work of the RNLI. When the Institution decided to allocate a new lifeboat to Troon, Tom became one of the linchpins of the fundraising campaign. The new 52-foot Arun class lifeboat was to be named City of Glasgow III. Tom developed a close working relationship with the then Lord Provost of Glasgow, Robert Gray, who was appointed President of the Appeal Committee. The new lifeboat cost £450,000, and the committee aimed to raise the sum within 18 months. Through Tom’s hard work organising branches and guilds in Glasgow and the surrounding areas, the target was reached ahead of schedule. Tom put his heart and soul into the campaign.

In 2012, Tom was presented with the Troon Civic Award for his tireless work in the community and for the RNLI in Troon. His wife, Jenny, had received the same award some years earlier. Tom retired from the lifeboat station in 2017. His final fundraising position was Box Secretary, responsible for the many lifeboat collection boxes throughout the town.

Jim Redmond, Troon RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said, “Everyone connected with Troon RNLI lifeboat station was extremely sad to learn that a stalwart of the station had passed away. Tom was a proud crew member, fundraiser and supporter of the RNLI for several decades. Whenever he was able, he continued to attend station open days to catch up with the current crew." His knowledge of the charity was unsurpassed and his passion boundless. We will miss Tom, and our thoughts are with Jenny, his family and his friends at this sad time.”

Tom’s funeral service will take place on Friday 30 October at 12:30pm at St Meddan’s Church in Troon. The committal will follow at Masonhill Crematorium at 2:00pm. Afterwards, refreshments will be served in the Portland Suite at the Marine Hotel for those wishing to attend.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Andrew Limond, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Scotland, andrew[email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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