Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A post-War B.E.M. and rare Zoological Society of London Bronze Medal pair awarded to Mr. E. B. Tanner, Overseer of Birds, Zoological Society of London, who served with the Royal Naval Air Service as a Rigger on Airships during the Great War

British Empire Medal, (Civil) E.II.R. (Edward B. Tanner) in Royal Mint case of issue; together with the recipient’s Zoological Society of London Bronze Medallion (Edward B. Tanner, B.E.M. For Long and Devoted Service 1908-1956.) in fitted case; together with the small companion medal for wear, bronze, with top riband bar inscribed ‘Zool: Soc: Lond:’ and engraved ‘E. B. Tanner, B.E.M.’, in fitted case, extremely fine; the Z.S.L. award rare (3) £600-£800

B.E.M. London Gazette 26 May 1953.

Edward Bradstock Tanner was born in Kensington, London, on 27 July 1890, and served with the 9th Battalion, London Regiment from 23 January 1911. Transferring to the Royal Naval Air Service on 9 March 1916, he served during the Great War as a Rigger on airships, and was discharged on 20 February 1919. Two postcards included with the lot feature Sea Scout Zero airships; the main role of these craft during the Great War was to escort convoys ands to scout or search for German U-Boats.

In civilian life Tanner was employed by the Zoological Society of London, as a Bird Keeper, in due course rising to become Overseer of Birds, and received the Society’s Bronze Medal upon his retirement in 1956. He died in London on 14 June 1977.

The Zoological Society of London’s Medal was designed by Thomas Landseer in 1837, and is awarded in Gold, Silver, and Bronze, with the Bronze Medal being awarded exclusively to Z.S.L. Staff. Tanner was the 22nd recipient of the Bronze Medal, and his award was the first time that the medal had been awarded for Long and Devoted Service; previous awards had typically been for the success in breeding and rearing of young endangered species.

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