Kelly Tolhurst MP was delighted to welcome Medway Coastguard Rescue Officer John Gore and his family to Parliament to formally present his 30 year service and good conduct medal.
John has been a dedicated servant to Kent’s coastline and Kelly was asked to present this recognition for such service. Britain’s seas will always pose dangers to sailors and coastal communities and it is the likes of John who communities should be thankful to in keeping them safe.
The Coast Rescue Officers duty includes the mobilisation, organisation and tasking of adequate resources to respond to persons either in distress at sea, or to persons at risk of injury or death on the cliffs or shoreline.
Her Majesty's Coastguard is not a military force nor law enforcement agency, with coastal defence being the responsibility of the Royal Navy, and maritime border control being the responsibility of Border Force. However, the organisation is a uniformed service.
John’s grandson Harvey joined in his uniform and Kelly was pleased to present him with a Search Competency certificate after he successfully tracked and found John’s work pager which had been presumed lost. Harvey is a pupil at the local Warren Wood Primary Academy and has a keen interest in his grandfather’s coastguard career and might even have similar ambitions of his own.
Rochester and Strood MP, Kelly Tolhurst said
“I really was honoured to present John’s long service and good conduct medal and thank him personally for a service which often goes under the radar but does so much to keep coastal communities like Medway safe.
“I am always proud when local people are recognised for their dedication to challenging roles like that of the Coastguard and shows what assets we have across our towns.
“Such dedication and selfless voluntary service should always be recognised and I am pleased John’s grandson Harvey wants to follow in his footsteps, and I wish them both the very best.”
On being presented his long service medal, John added:
“It was a great pleasure for my grandson and I to be invited to Westminster to meet Kelly, be given a tour of the Palace and to have my 30 year service and good conduct clasp formally presented by Kelly Tolhurst MP. It is a day in which my grandson and I will remember forever.
