Volunteers gather to say a final farewell to a much-admired friend and colleague
Sunday 26 September saw family and friends of Walmer RNLI volunteer Tony Nash gather on the beach in front of the boathouse to witness the scattering of his ashes at sea. Tony had passed away on 5 July.
Tony began volunteering at Walmer lifeboat station in 2012 as shore crew, and within three years had become a tractor driver and Head Launcher. He was always available to assist around the station, whether it be collecting fuel or helping with the changeover of boats or tractors when they were going away for maintenance. His infectious wit, banter and humour, and his trademark yellow Land Rover will be sorely missed.
The ceremony took place after Walmer’s two inshore lifeboats, Atlantic 85 Donald McLauchlan and D Class Duggie Rodbard II returned from exercise. The boats aligned side by side as the ashes were scattered into a calm sea.
Notes to editors
Walmer lifeboat station was established in 1856.
It currently operates two inshore lifeboats – a B Class Atlantic 85 Donald McLauchlan and a smaller D Class Duggie Rodbard II.
Crews have received 28 Awards for Gallantry
RNLI media contacts
- Chris Winslade, Lifeboat Press Officer, Walmer Lifeboat Station on 01304 374475 or 07906 623037 [email protected]
- Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) on 07785 296252, [email protected]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.
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.