Alan Clarke passed away in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn on 10 December with his family by his side following a short illness.

He joined the Royal National Lifeboat Institution at Hunstanton when the station reopened in 1979 and became its first helm.

Hunstanton RNLI helm Alan Clarke, who has passed away at the age of 77. (Image: RNLI)

During a 14-year career, Alan took part in some of the most courageous rescues carried out by the crew and was honoured for his bravery three times by the RNLI.

In 1985, he was awarded a Bronze Medal and a Silk Cut Nautical Award in recognition of his courage at the helm when the crew rescued a windsurfer who was in difficulties close to a wreck off Brancaster in a westerly gale and rough seas.

In 1988, he........

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