Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Constable James Jack, Arbroath Burgh Special Constabulary

Special Constabulary Long Service, G.V.R., 1st issue, 5 clasps, The Great War 1914-18, Long Service 1929, 1939, 1943, 1948 (James Jack); Arbroath Swimming Club Medal for Saving Life, obverse, burgh shield, ‘Arbroath Swimming Club Instd. 1879’; reverse inscribed (part engraved) ‘Presented to James Jack For Saving Life 23rd Augst. 1881’, 45mm., bronze, ring suspension; Arbroath Arts Crafts & Industries Exhibition Medal, obverse: arms of the burgh; reverse inscribed, ‘James Jack, Joint Secretary 1908’, 45mm., bronze, straight bar suspension, good very fine and better (3) £240-280

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

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Ex Jack Boddington Collection, D.N.W. 6 December 2006.

James Jack was born in Arbroath, Forfar, in 1868. A keen swimmer, he was a member of the Arbroath Swimming Club which used a natural pool in the rocks adjacent to the Arbroath Cliffs - these a site of frequent accidents and drownings. This was where the young James Jack, aged 13 years, carried out a rescue for which he was awarded the Club’s Life Saving Medal in 1881. In 1897, he played a part in the attempted rescue of a Mr Reid, a solicitor of Arbroath. James Jack became a Chemist with premises in Arbroath High Street. The name of the Arbroath Swimming Club was later changed to the St. Thomas Swimming Club - Jack was President of this club from 1909 to 1949. In 1908 he served as Joint Secretary of the Arbroath Arts, Crafts and Industries Exhibition. In 1914 he joined the Arbroath Burgh Special Constabulary, serving with them for many years. He died in the early 1950’s. Sold with copied research.