Walmer volunteer recognised for service in King’s Birthday Honours
Walmer lifeboat takes great pleasure in announcing that Boathouse Manager Les Coe has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for voluntary services to the RNLI.
Les is one of eight volunteers and staff who have been recognised for their dedication and commitment to the lifesaving charity.
In November last year he was presented with a Bar to his medal commemorating 70 years of service after joining as a 15 year old, and his contribution was recently recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Global Search and Rescue Awards.
Les said: ‘This is a great honour to receive such an award.
‘I have many fond memories from my years in the RNLI, across the wide range of roles I was fortunate to hold. I still remember testing the new inshore lifeboats back in 1963, and it’s incredible to see how far they’ve come since then.
‘As a crew member, I was involved in a number of challenging rescues, including saving two people cut off by the tide, for which we received Vellums for bravery.’
‘I’ve loved every moment of being part of the RNLI, and it has been a privilege to serve.’
RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes said: ‘I am always astounded by the dedication of our volunteers and staff. Over 70 years of selfless service is truly remarkable, and Les Coe is by no means alone in this achievement; so many of our volunteers give decades of their time to saving lives at sea.
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Christopher Winslade, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South East, [email protected]
Jess Curtis, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 07483 488243, [email protected]
Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for London and South East England, 07827 358256, [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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, 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.