Orders, Decorations and Medals

Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, Marine Medal, 3rd type, silver (To Wilfred Bibb, For Gallant Service, 11/7/27) with 2nd Award Clasp, ‘For Saving Life 22/9/27’, medal with hallmarks for Birmingham 1926, with silver brooch bar, in case of issue, edge bruise, otherwise nearly extremely fine £250-300

‘Silver Medal & Vote of Thanks each to Joseph Kelly & Wilfred Bibb and bronze Medal and Certificate of Thanks to Charles Smith, the former for rescuing a man immersed in the Salthouse Dock, and the two later for a brave attempt at rescue.

The man with others was engaged in carrying a wire hawser, one end of which was attached to the stern of the S.S. “Clare Island,” along the quayside from one bollard to another, when suddenly the wire tautened, causing the man to slip. Still holding onto the wire, his added weight caused the other men to release their hold, with the result that the man, overbalancing, and still holding onto the hawser, fell into the Dock. Bibb, who was standing on the quayside at the time of the occurrence, tore off his coat and at once jumped into the dock, a distance of 15 feet. The man, who on touching the water had immediately sank, was still submerged, having stuck in the mud and although Bibb dived repeatedly, he was unable to find him.

Kelly was then standing on the quay, and as Bibb had been under the water for some time, he thought he had found the man and was waiting to dive to the assistance of both if necessary, when he saw the man’s head just appear under the surface of the water, about 7 yards from Bibb. Throwing off his coat he also dived into the dock, caught hold of the man, as he was again sinking, and began towing him to a rowing boat which had been obtained from a passing barge. Smith had dived into the dock from the steamer to render assistance if needed. The man was in a bad way and after landing, was taken to the Northern Hospital, and in 2 days has almost recovered’ (Ref. Liverpool Shipwreck & Humane Society – 89th Annual Report, year ending 1st July 1928, p.27).

‘Silver Medal & Vote of Thanks to William Green and Silver Clasp, Vote of Thanks & 20/- to Wilfred Bibb, for rescuing a woman (39) attempting suicide in the River Mersey, off the George’s Landing Stage, on the 22nd September, 1927.

At 1-05 pm the woman was seen to jump in the River from the stern of the New Brighton Ferry-boat, and the cry “Woman overboard” was raised. Green, a seaman on the Birkenhead Ferries, who was on the stage going off duty, saw the woman struggling in the water. He dived in fully clothed, swam to the woman and supported her. Bibb, who was also on the stage, saw the man and woman in the water, and who appeared to be in difficulties. He threw a life-buoy to them, but as it fell short, he dived into the river, seized the buoy, and swam with it to the man and woman, who were then hauled to the stage and safety’. (Ref. Liverpool Shipwreck & Humane Society – 89nd Annual Report, year ending 1st July 1928, p.33 & 34).

With copied Society report extracts and a copied photograph of S.S. Clare Island and a modern photograph of Salthouse Dock.