Princess Anne to lay wreath in remembrance of Fraserburgh lifeboat disaster

CREW members from Macduff RNLI are expected to join their Fraserburgh rescue companions and Princess Anne at a memorial service marking the 50th anniversary of the third Broch lifeboat disaster.

On January 21, 1970, Fraserburgh lifeboat 'the Duchess of Kent' was overturned by a freak wave in gale-force conditions when attempting to tow a Danish fishing vessel to safety.

Five of the six on board lost their lives - coxswain John Stephen, crew William Hadden, James Buchan, James RS Buchan, and mechanic Frederick Kirkness - leaving five widows and 15 children without a father.

The joint funeral of those who perished was attended by an estimated 13,000 people.

And 50 years on from the tragedy, a remembrance service will take place on Sunday at the Old Parish Church, Barrasgate Road (2pm), before HRH The Princess Royal will lay a wreath at a statue that pays tribute to those lost at sea outside the lifeboat station on Shore Street.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.