Orders, Decorations and Medals

Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, Marine Medal, 3rd type, silver (James Simpson for Having Swam out into the Mersey and Saved a Boy from Drowning, June 25. 1884) with 2nd Award Clasp, ‘For Saving Life, July 30, 1889’, with silver buckle on ribbon, in case of issue, nearly extremely fine £250-300

The Liverpool Mercury, Tuesday 1 July 1884, p.6: ‘Gallant Rescue from Drowning. At Seacombe - A Correspondent writes – A few evenings ago, as two young boys were bathing at Seacombe, one got out of his depth and was being carried away by the tide, when his companion gave the alarm to a man who was fishing, from the shore, a short distance off. Mr James Simpson, of Fort Cottage, The Magazines, who was passing at the time, hearing what the lad said, saw the hands of the drowning lad visible above the water, and, instantly throwing off his coat, plunged into the river, and succeeded in getting hold of the boy by the hair of the head. Unfortunately his hold slipped, and the boy sank again. A second attempt was more successful, and Mr Simpson was able to bring him ashore. When rescued, the lad was insensible, but by vigourous rubbing animation was restored, and the boy was afterwards taken home.’

Liverpool Shipwreck & Humane Society – 46th Annual Report, year ending 1st July 1885, p.11: ‘A Silver Medal and Vote of Thanks to James Simpson, Clerk, for having run down to the shore at Egremont and swam off to and rescued a lad who, while bathing, had taken the cramp, and was nearly drowned, on the 25th of June, 1884.’

Liverpool Shipwreck & Humane Society – 51st Annual Report, year ending 1st July 1890, p.12: ‘A Silver Clasp to his Medal and a pecuniary Award to James Simpson, clerk, for having swum out from the shore, with his clothes on, and rescued a boy who had gone into the Mersey to bathe, near the Magazines, and, having gone out too far, became exhausted and was nearly drowned, on the 30th of July, 1889.’

With copied Society report extracts and newspaper extract.