Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Presentation Match Case, by ‘S.B. & S. Ltd.’, 43mm x 40mm x 10mm, gold (9ct, 22.14g, hallmarks for Birmingham 1924), inscribed ‘Presented to Mr E. Milford, by the 3 Widows & 1 Mother to show their appreciation of his kindness in the Tug Boat Disaster, July 12th 1923’, attached to a watch chain with jewelled fob, a little buckled, good condition £300-£400

Provenance: Jack Boddington Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, December 2006.

The Barry Tugboat Disaster
‘Barry Roads was the scene this morning of an appalling disaster, four men being drowned and three rescued from the water. It appears that about 6.30 this morning the Cardiff tug Assistance was engaged in helping the large steamer Lagarto to dock. The tug had her hawser towing the steamer at an angle, when the little craft overturned and sank. Those below the deck had little chance of escape from their inevitable doom, for the water overwhelmed the tug and she sank within a couple of minutes. The three men on deck at the time were thrown into the water, and, amid great excitement, other tugs rushed to the scene, and were able to rescue them all. Three men and a lad who were below (the latter being in his bunk asleep) were drowned. The names of these are: Walter Henderson, chief engineer; Alfred Wright, second engineer, Ronald Smith, deck hand; George Francis Bevan, lad. All the men reside at Grangetown. .... Capt. Clapham and the pilot on board the Lagarto did all they could to effect the rescue of the men in the water, but the other tug boats raced to the spot and made diligent search for other signs of life, but none were seen. The tug is sunk about half-a-mile from the eastern breakwater’. (The Barry Herald, 18 July 1923 refers).

It is believed that Mr E. Milford was the pilot on board the Lagarto mentioned above.

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