Orders, Decorations and Medals

Three: Inspector A. J. Saunders, City of London Police

Jubilee 1887, clasp, 1897, City of London Police (P.C. 653); Coronation 1902, City of London Police (Insp.); Balloon Society of Great Britain, bronze medal for bravery, the reverse inscribed ‘Alfred John Saunders, Actg. Sergt. City Police, for Bravery at Fires in the Parish of St Andrew by the Wardrobe. March 1893’, generally good very fine and rare (3) £150-200

The following details were extracted from the City Press of 26 April 1893: ‘Presentations to Brave Policemen. The City Sunday-school, St Andrew’s Hill, was on Monday afternoon the scene of a very interesting function, in which the City Police took a prominent part. Alderman Sir David Evans attended at the school-room for the purpose of presenting Acting-Sergeant Saunders and Police Constables G. Vincent and B. Causton, members of the City Police Force, with testimonials in recognition of the bravery they displayed in the saving of lives at considerable risk on the occasion of the recent disastrous fire on St Andrew’s Hill... Acting Sergeant Saunders, a smart looking young fellow, then stepped forward, amid loud applause, and received from the Alderman’s hands a massive gold keyless lever watch with a handsome monogram on the case and the following inscription on the dome: “Presented to Acting-Sergeant Alfred J. Saunders, City Police, by the inhabitants of the united parishes of St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe and St Ann, Blackfriars, in recognition of his gallant rescue from fire of Miss Bird during the conflagration at Messrs. Judd’s printing works, St Andrew’s Hill, on March 31st, 1893, and of Mrs Fisher, at Carter Lane, on April 1st, 1893.” Saunders was also presented with a bronze medal, the gift of the Balloon Society of Great Britain, as a mark of its appreciation of his pluck and daring.’ Sold with further details including copies of several newspaper reports on the fire and the presentation of awards.