Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, Fire Medal, silver (William Owen for his plucky conduct at the fire at Dingle Station Overhead Railway on 23 Dec. 1901) suspension a little slack, edge bruise, otherwise good very fine £300-360

‘Silver Fire Medal, Vote of Thanks, and £2 each to George Gough and William Owen, for their timely and plucky action at the fire at the Dingle Station of the Liverpool Overhead Railway, on December 23rd, 1901, when they were instrumental in saving the lives of several passengers.’ (Extract from the 63rd Annual Report, year ended 1st July 1902).

The Liverpool Overhead Railway (known as the ‘Docker’s Umbrella’) ran from Gladstone Dock to Dingle, a distance of some 7 miles. Dingle Station was in use between 1896 and 1956.

On 23 December 1901, a motor on a train pulling into Dingle Station fused which sent sparks which ignited some wooden sleepers by the railside. The resulting fire spread from the sleepers to the passenger carriages and thence to the station itself. The fire caused the death of six people.

With copied L.S. & H.S. citation.