A scarce Life-Saving pair awarded to Mr. J. White, for a rescue off The Hoe, Plymouth

Royal Humane Society, large bronze medal (successful) (John White 1 Sep. 1847.) with contemporary brass claw and small ring suspension; Plym Tamar Lynher and Tavy Humane Society, bronze (To Mr John White, who risked his own to save another’s Life Sept. 1st 1847.) unmounted, nearly extremely fine (2) £600-£800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Peter and Dee Helmore.

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R.H.S. Case No. 14,532: ‘On 1 September 1847 Off the Hoe, Plymouth. John White, Apprentice and Mr Edmund Fry, Print Seller, saved Wm Penfold, servant. White first plunged into the Sea and supported him until assisted by Fry who swam out and succeeded in rescuing the man who was insensible. Bronze Medal (successful) to White and Thanks on Paper to Mr Fry.

John White was born in Witchampton, Dorset in 1828. Apprenticed to Mr R.W. Stevens, Printer of Plymouth he is shown in the 1851 Census as a Printer in Plymouth and later in 1871 employed as a Supervisor, Inland Revenue residing in Portsea, Portsmouth.

Sold with copied research.