Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful) (John McNeill, 14 April 1882), in its fitted case of issue, wearing buckle bent, otherwise extremely fine £80-100

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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John McNeill, Chief Officer of the S.S. Princess Alice, was awarded the R.H.S. Medal in bronze in respect of rescuing J. Telford, the Chief Officer of the S.S. Abbotsford, who had fallen into Albert Dock at Leith on 14 April 1882:

‘The night being exceptionally dark and stormy, a line was thrown to Mr. Telford but he appears to have been stunned and unable to grasp it. Mr. McNeill jumped in at once with all his clothes on and held the man above water for a considerable time until a boat was procured for their rescue’ (R.H.S. records refer).