James Ronald Lynch, M.B.
William Patrick Lynch, M.B.
Medal of Bravery
Late on the evening of 24 August 1982, William and James Lynch rescued a young couple stranded on top a thirty-metre cliff overlooking the beach. Responding to the teenager's hopeless situation, the two brothers arrived at the foot of the cliff in a small boat. Rugged terrain and loose shale rendered footing extremely dangerous in the dark; nevertheless they climbed the steep incline, carrying flashlights and a long rope. On reaching a ledge near where the pair had been lying prone for several hours, William Lynch threw one end of the rope to the girl and instructed her to fasten it under her arms. Then, acting as anchor, James Lynch began to lower her on the other side of the massive rock. The girl landed on safe ground. William then approached her companion located close to the tip of the cliff. Once the latter had seized the rope, James began descent in the same fashion. Though aware of the risk of possible drowning or serious injuries to themselves, the rescuers tested their endurance for almost two hours.