Inspirational sea cadet leader dies

An inspirational sea cadet instructor who once helped save a girl from drowning has died.

Lifelong Maidonian Richard Boardman, known to many as Dick, died on Tuesday last week aged 72.

He first joined the town's sea cadet corps in 1953, aged 13, and received numerous awards for his commitment over the years having worked his way up through the ranks.

The most recent was a medal recognising 50 years of adult service, which was presented to him at the corps headquarters in Mill Lane, Taplow on January 17.

Dick was the commanding officer of the Maidenhead unit for 13 years.

Born in Ray Street in 1939, he went to East Street Primary School followed by St Luke's Boys School.

In 1955, aged 15, he and a friend were presented with the rare Navy League Gallantry Cross for helping a girl in distress near Boulters Lock.

A keen swimmer, he competed at district, area and national levels, and as a member of Maidenhead Swimming Club won the two-mile river swim twice in 1959 and 1969.

Dick also served in the Territorial Army from 1958-67 as a bandsman, and had been a member of St Peter's Church Parish Council for the past five years.

He married his wife Marian in 1968 and they had two children; Andrew and Claire.

Other honours Dick received over the years include the sea cadet long service medal in 1985 and the Lord-Lieutenant's Certificate in 1999.

He was a parade commander at Maidenhead's Remembrance Day parade for 25 years - only missing last year's due to ill health.

Dick's death followed a short battle with cancer and his funeral is set to take place at St Peter's Church in Furze Platt at a date not yet confirmed.

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