A family that has clocked up a combined 207 years' service to Porthleven Coastguard has been given a medal awarded to their descendant almost a century ago. 

The late Frank E Strike was the first member of the family to become a coastguard in the port, beginning a tradition that has seen the name become almost synonymous with the Porthleven branch.  He joined up on March 29, 1928 and subsequently gave almost 40 years service.

During this time he received the ‘Rocket Apparatus’ medal for a rescue in Porthleven that saved the lives of five men and a boy.

In what was perhaps the most memorable incident during his career, Frank fired a lifesaving rocket from shore to ship during the 1931 wreck of sailing schooner St Anne.

Although the exact details remain lost to history, the medal was given on recommendation of either the Board of Trade, the Minister of Shipping, Minister of War Transport or Minister of Transport.

Following Frank's death in 1967, the medal was given to a coastguard memorabilia collection in Bridlington.

Now however, following the closure of the facility, the medal has been returned to its rightful place with the family.

Senior Coastal Operations Officer, Tom Ebbens, travelled to Porthleven to present the medal to Alec Strike, son of Frank, joined by other members of the family and in front of the current coastguard team. 

Frank’s association with Porthleven Coastguard sparked a mammoth commitment to the team from his descendants. In the 88 years since he joined, seven members of the family have clocked up 207 years of combined service to date.