A man travelled from America to the north-east after discovering that one of his relatives died in a tragic lifeboat accident almost a century ago.
Craig Brockette, from Michigan, was in the country last week to trace his family’s roots and, along with his wife, paid a visit to Fraserburgh’s lifeboat station.
The visit came just days after the crew paid tribute to coxswain Andrew Noble and volunteer Andrew Farquhar, who lost their lives when the Lady Rothes vessel sank off Fraserburgh in 1919.
Each year, they lay a wreath on a memorial statue at the station before taking it out to sea where it is laid to rest.
Mr Brockette is the great-grandson of Mr Noble.
In a message posted to social media after his visit on Thursday, he said: “We use the word hero a lot, but I sure met one that day.”
A spokesman for the lifeboat team added: “He went out on the lifeboat to lay the wreath at sea on behalf of his great-grandfather and fellow crew member Andrew Farquhar, who also lost his life.
“The wreath had been on display at the memorial statue outside the station.”
The boat was crewed by Grant Morrison, Dave Sutherland, Victor Sutherland, John Stephen and AJ Morgan.
Mr Brockette has since flown back to the US, but told the volunteers that he hopes to visit again next year.
He is the second descendant of Mr Noble to visit the station this year, ahead of the disaster’s 100th anniversary in 2019.
Anne Mould, his great-great-granddaughter – who now lives in England – visited the port last month to donate £1,000 to the RNLI.
She raised the money through the Caledonian Society in Sheffield.
Mr Noble and Mr Farquhar both died on April 28 when the Lady Rothes capsized while assisting a trawler at Fraserburgh Bay.
Mr Noble was survived by his wife, Hellen, and 10 children.
