PORTHDINLLAEN Lifeboat crew have received a gift to treasure from a Morfa Nefyn family.

Vera Reed and other members of her family presented the crew with William Dop’s Silver Medal for Gallantry.

The medal had been passed down the family for generations and was held by Mr Dop’s great-grandson, before the decision was made that the medal should be back in its rightful home in Porthdinllaen.

Mr Dop received the medal during his time with Porthdinllaen Lifeboat as the 2nd Coxswain.

On 8 August 1951, a small auxiliary yacht named Waterbell didn’t return back in time and the Porthdinllaen lifeboat was launched.

The coxswain was on annual leave, leaving second coxswain Dop in command. The Waterbell was eventually found anchored close to Porth Oer in a mass of breaking water.

After numerous attempts, members of the RNLI managed to turn the lifeboat inshore of the Waterbell and took her in, bows first, alongside the yacht’s lee.

The three men aboard the Waterbell jumped into the lifeboat and the coxswain brought his craft out stern first.

On the way out, the cockpit filled with sea water more than once; but she came out safely. For his intrepid seamanship, Mr Dop was awarded the Silver Medal for Gallantry.

This is the first Silver Medal to be given to Porthdinllaen Lifeboat, although they have three Bronze medals.

The medal was received from Mr Dop’s daughter, Vera Reid, by the current second coxswain, Robat Jones and other members of the lifeboat.