Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

France, Second Empire, Medal of Honour for Saving Life, Ministry of the Marine and the Colonies, small silver medal, 6th issue, by Barre, 33mm, Napoleon III with laurel wreath facing right on obverse; 6th model reverse inscribed ‘A John Woodcock Marin Anglais. Services a la Marine Marchande Française. 1868’ on cartouche flanked by supporters, with ball and ring suspension, silver mark to edge, about extremely fine £160-£200

Provenance: Spink, November 1999.

John Woodcock, of the steam ship Tajore, was awarded the French silver medal, and a diploma, for saving the life of a child who had fallen into the Port at Marseilles, 30 August 1868.