Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Life Saving Medal, ornate silver medal, obverse engraved, ‘Presented to Mr J. H. Walls by Jas. Dunbar & D. S. McPherson as a Deep Sense Gratitude for Rescuing them from Drowning at Trinity Chain Pier 2nd July 1882’, reverse plain, very fine £60-80

Leith Trinity Chain Pier opened on 14 August 1821. The design was by Capt. Samuel Brown for Lt. George Crichton of the London & Edinburgh Steam Navigation Company (who formed the Trinity Pier Company) and cost £4,000. It consisted of three 209 foot spans standing 10 feet above the water. With the improvements to Leith Docks and the opening of Granton Harbour in 1833, its use declined. By the early 1850’s it was described as being ‘deserted and ruinous’. Despite its condition, it was used by bathers for whom dressing rooms were provided at the pier-head. The pier became the headquarters of the Forth Swimming Club. It was destroyed by a storm on 18 October 1898.