Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Sea Gallantry Medal, E.VII.R., small 1st issue, silver (John Nelson, Wreck of the “British King” on the 11th March 1906), edge bruise, good very fine £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards to Merchant Seamen and D.E.M.S. Gunners.

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One of just 54 examples of this type of Sea Gallantry Medal to be issued.

John Nelson was serving as Boatswain of the S.S. Bostonian at the time of winning his S.G.M. in silver. The Liverpool British King, carrying a cargo of oil, foundered when a group of barrels smashed through her side some 500 miles from the U.S.A. when bound from New York for Antwerp. The crew were rescued by boats from the Bostonian, one of them manned by Nelson.