THE branch chairman of Aberystwyth Lifeboat has said he is “chuffed” to have become one of the first people to receive a Merchant Navy Medal.

Mark Morgan, who has seen almost 50 years of maritime service, is one of just 13 people to be awarded the new state Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service, which he said was a “privilege”.

Mr Morgan, whose two sons Owen and Evan are in the Merchant Navy, said he was glad that his fellow Merchant Navy seafarers were finally being recognised.

He said: “It was quite a surprise. It was a very pleasant and nice surprise.

“I retired from the Merchant Navy in 1999, but the RNLI flies the standard so there’s been a continuation.

“It is the first group of these medals, so that is a bit of a privilege.

“Before this, the Merchant Navy did present some medals, but there was nothing like this. We’ve always been the most neglected service.

“It’s nice to see these medals are being awarded and I’m very pleased to have it.”

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