March 22 2012.


Pictured: Pat and Ian Johns at Buckingham Palace - Permission to use this official photo is courtesy of Charles Green Photography.


Retired lifeboat Coxswain Ian Johns, who dedicated 37 years at Newhaven lifeboat saving lives off the Sussex coast, received his MBE from Queen Elizabeth II on 14th March 2012.

Ian joined the station as a volunteer in 1974 and then took over as Coxswain in 2002.

In various posts Ian served on four lifeboats, the Watson class Kathleen Mary (1974-1977), the Waveney class Louis Marchesi of Round Table (1977-1985), the Arun class Keith Anderson (1985-1999) and the Severn class David and Elizabeth Acland (1999-2011)
I
an's wife Pat Johns was the Volunteer Press Officer with Newhaven RNLI for 31 years.

Ian explained: "We had a wonderful day at Buckingham Palace with the family and I am delighted to collect the award as recognition of the whole team at Newhaven, plus the wider RNLI."

Ian looks back on a remarkable record of achievement at the Newhaven station. Between 23rd March 1974 and 23rd March 2011 Ian served on 630 services, saving 337 lives.


To follow Newhaven Lifeboat services visit www.newhavenlifeboat.co.uk