Tayleur Fund Medal, silver, reverse inscribed (To Joseph Sweeney, H.M.S. Ajax for Distinguished Gallantry in Saving of Life at Kingstown 9th Feby. 1861. The Rt. Honble. Lord Talbot de Malahide, Chairman) suspension lacking, signs of brooch mounting, edge bruising, scratches, good fine, scarce £80-120

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Life Saving, Police and Fire Brigade Medals from the James N Spencer Collection.

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Collection

Ex D. J. Denham Collection, Sotheby’s 23 June 1971, lot 349 (part).

On 21 January 1854 the emigrant ship John Tayleur foundered off Lambay Island, Ireland. A fund was started for the relief of the survivors, with the surplus used for the award of life-saving medals in the future. Medals from the fund were first awarded in 1861 to men of H.M.S. Ajax and others for their gallantry in the attempted rescue of men from the brig Neptune and brigantine Industry which were wrecked against Kingstown pier in a storm. Such was the fury of the storm that 17 ships were lost in the vicinity. See ‘The Tayleur Fund Medals’, by John Wilson, L.S.A.R.S. Journal 22, for an excellent account of the drama.