Liverpool Medal for Heroism, obverse: St. George with sword and shield,a dragon at his feet, ‘To Commemorate a Brave Act’; reverse: a ‘Liverbird’ and a female figure of ‘Victory’, with the inscription, ‘Liverpool, Presented to Robert Stannard King, For Heroism, March 16th 1927’, 51mm., silver medallion, hallmarks for Birmingham 1926, slight edge bruise, good very fine, rare £280-320

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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Ex Leahy Collection, D.N.W. 18 September 1998, lot 455.

The following report was published in the Liverpool Echo on 18 March 1927: ‘A thrilling story of courageous efforts to save the lives of the two children, Michael and Francis Joseph O’Neill, who received fatal injuries in the fire at 33 Standish Street, Liverpool, on Wednesday, was told in the Liverpool Coroner’s Court today. Robert S. King, goods checker at the docks, said that about 8.45 p.m. he heard his wife crying out: “Oh, my God! the room’s on fire next door.” He ran out, and heard Mrs O’Neill’s voice saying, “My children are in the room. Will no one save them?” Rushing at once upstairs he tried to enter the blazing room, but flames and smoke drove him out. He seized clothes from a line on the landing, wrapped them round his face, and made his way to the burning bed. Francis was apparently dead. King saw Michael crying, picked him up and made for the door, but collapsed. He recovered consciousness in the street. The Coroner said “You seem to have done very well.” “I only did what any man would have done,” King replied. Henry Graham, another neighbour, told how he carried first Michael, then King from danger.’

Robert Stannard King was also awarded a silver Fire Medal by the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society for this rescue.