Royal National Lifeboat Institution, G.V.R., silver (Lieut. Ezra Badger, R.E., Voted 8th Dec. 1916.) in its Wyon, London, presentation case, nearly extremely fine £1000-1200

R.N.L.I. Silver Medal, voted 8 December 1916.

The Institution’s silver medal awarded to 2nd Lieutenant E. Badger, Royal Engineers, and Lieutenant F. C. Stephens, Royal Naval Reserve.

‘3 November 1916: After the 5,077 ton Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker Ponus stranded during a full southerly gale in very heavy seas on Gyllyngvase beach, Falmouth Bay, Cornwall, some of her crew reached the shore in the ship’s boats with others being taken off by the Falmouth lifeboat. The Second Mate remained aboard, but the tanker later caught fire and he improvised a raft which, after he had boarded it, remained pinned against the burning vessel. Second Lieutenant Badger and Lieutenant Stephens put out in a dinghy, caught hold of the Second Mate, and brought him ashore tied to the dinghy’s stern as it was too small to have him aboard.’ (ref. Lifeboat Gallantry, by Barry Cox)