Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal National Institute for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck, G.IV.R., silver (Willm. Wheeler, Voted 13th March 1851) fitted within a thin silver frame bearing the naming details and loop and ring suspension, edge bruise, very fine
£400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A fine Collection of Life Saving Awards.

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‘8 February 1851: Whilst piloting the Danish brig Margaretta up the Thames, when off Erith Wheeler saw two of her crew thrown into the river from the ship’s boat. He immediately leaped over the vessel’s bow and saved one of the men, but the other man sank before Wheeler could reach him.

The Committee also took into consideration Wheeler’s action in saving four of the crew of the brig Percy of Sunderland, wrecked on the rocks close under Tynemouth Castle about three years earlier.’ (ref. Lifeboat Gallantry, by Barry Cox)