Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Canadian Medal for Gallant and Humane Services rendered in Life-Saving from Shipwrecked Vessels, 57mm, silver, the reverse inscribed within Maple leaf wreath ‘Presented by the Government of Canada to A. West, for gallant services in rescuing the shipwrecked crew of the Canadian Barque “Swansea” 2nd July 1904’, test mark to edge, light contact marks and edge bruising, otherwise good very fine £200-£240

‘The Canadian Barque Swansea left Hantsport, Nova Scotia, on 16 May 1904 bound for Buenos Aires. The vessel became waterlogged and was not navigable. A steamer, the Star of Australia, Captain F. W. Ulyatt, took off the captain and crew, and the Swansea was fired at both ends before being abandoned in latitude 8N, longitude 22W. The Star of Australia arrived at Las Palmas on 18 July 1904, and in London on 28 July.’