At a recent meeting of the Bude branch of the Royal Naval Association, their chairman s/m John Dexter presented 'The Shipmate of the Year' award to s/m Mick Philp (services to auctioneering) and s/m Godfrey Harrison (services as PRO and 'Slops' Bonsun).

The award is held in high esteem within the branch and is awarded by secret ballot annually by all shipmates present. It takes the form of a wooden model fire engine, but like all things of note, it comes with a 'bit of history'.

It was initially given to the branch to use as they saw fit in a fund raising way. The model was made by shipmate Jack Mason of Bodmin RNA.

Jack, as a Royal Marine Commando, took part in the D-Day Landings and was seriously wounded, losing a leg and an eye. Unfortunately about two years ago he lost the sight in his remaining eye. This would have been the last straw to a lesser man, but not Jack.

After a short time in training he produced the fire engine models, one for all the branches in the No 4 area, including Bude. Having raffled it once, earning a reasonable sum for a needy cause, the Bude branch were then pleased to have it returned by the kind winner, to become the Shipmate of the Year Award.

Hon Secretary s/m Bob Gelder said: "In this time of 'Help for Heroes', it is also good to know that there were those who went before but who left something tangible to be remembered by. Jack Mason is highly respected with No 4 Area RNA and with illustrations of his skills such as our annual trophy, who can wonder."