PICTURES: Thurso RNLI stalwart honoured for half a century of service
Thurso lifeboat stalwart William "Wing" Munro has been honoured for more than half a century of commitment to the RNLI.
He was presented with a medal marking 50 years' dedicated and loyal service, along with the Queen's Platinum Jubilee medal, at Thurso RNLI's open day on Sunday. A new searchlight was also dedicated to him.
Wing was still a teenager when he joined the RNLI in January 1970 and he served as full-time coxswain from January 2002 until November 2017. He is still with the RNLI as deputy launching authority for Thurso lifeboat.
He has taken part in countless shouts and has been involved in some of the most notable rescues undertaken by the Thurso crew.
He has received multiple awards from the RNLI. These include the Thanks of the Institution on Vellum following the rescue of the scallop boat Aztec in Loch Eriboll in 1997 and a bronze certificate in the aftermath of the Multitank Ascania incident in 1999.
The burning chemical tanker had been drifting out of control towards Dunnet Head until Thurso lifeboat established a tow. The RNLI's inspector of lifeboats for Scotland said in his report at the time that the incident could have involved loss of life and a major ecological disaster.
Wing, who will be 70 in November, was succeeded as coxswain by his brother Dougie and he has three nephews among the Thurso crew.
"I was a fisherman for a lot of years and I was always at the harbour all my life – I still am, in fact," Wing said.
At the time of Wing's retirement as coxswain at the age of 65, the then RNLI chief executive, Paul Boissier, said: “Wing’s unwavering support has seen him attend hundreds of call-outs, ultimately making a real difference to people’s lives. This huge amount of hard work and loyalty is both inspiring and humbling and the institution is incredibly grateful for such commitment to saving lives at sea.”
The open day at Scrabster attracted a large crowd, with visitors having the opportunity to take tours of the Thurso and Longhope lifeboats.
The event also featured coastguard and mountain rescue teams, the fire and ambulance services, the Scottish SPCA and Mina Mackay's Highland dancers. An RNLI shop was available and crew members provided a barbecue.
Thurso RNLI press officer Ron Gunn said: "We had a great turnout for our RNLI open day. A big thank-you to the emergency services, local charities and Mina Mackay's Highland dancers for making the day a success.
"A special mention to the Thurso lifeboat crew and committee for supplying the refreshments and barbecue."
A number of other RNLI personnel were presented with long service and Queen's Platinum Jubilee medals by the organisation's area lifesaving manager.
As a token of thanks, 4500 RNLI volunteers and frontline staff are being awarded the jubilee medal in recognition of the 65,886 lives the charity has saved during the Queen’s 70-year reign.
When Princess Elizabeth became Queen in 1952, she also became patron of the RNLI – continuing a legacy left by its first patron, King George IV.
