Local volunteer rewarded by Queen for years of service to RNLI

Local volunteer Stewart Auld rewarded in Queen’s Birthday Honours list for over 50 years service to the RNLI at North Berwick

Stewart Auld has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queens Birthday Honours list for meritorious service worthy of recognition by the crown. For service to the community through the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

Stewart joined North Berwick RNLI in response to a request for volunteers to crew the new inshore lifeboat Blue Peter lll. In 1967 after training was completed the boat was put on service (summer months only until the mid 80’s). Stewart received his long service medal in 1987 and retired from operational crew in 1992. However he continued his volunteering by becoming a Deputy Launching Authority (DLA). In 1999 he became the Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) and held this post until 2015 when he reached the maximum age of retirement for operational positions in the RNLI. He then took over as chairman of the Lifeboat Group Management Committee.

During his outstanding 54 years service he has received the Queens Golden Jubilee Medal, The RNLI Silver Badge in recognition of Lifeboat Service and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Stewart Auld said “ I’m delighted and humbled, it’s a voluntary job that I always wanted to do. My family has a long sea history. It’s great for North Berwick, the community, our lifeboat station and the RNLI. “

North Berwick Lifeboat station has been operating since 1860. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: www.rnli.org or RNLI North Berwick Lifeboat on facebook.

RNLI media contacts

Rhona Meikle, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at North Berwick, 07767 251023, [email protected].uk

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 01738 642986, 07920 365929, [email protected]

Gemma McDonald, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 01738 642956, 07826 900639, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

RNLI online

For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 over 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 142,200 lives.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.