Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An interesting 1911 Coronation Medal awarded to Fireman W. McLaren, London Fire Brigade, who was one of three fatalities to suffocate during an attempted sewer rescue in Notting Hill on 18 March 1913

Coronation 1911, London Fire Brigade (Fireman W. McLaren.) very fine £100-£140

William McLaren was born in Bishop Wearmouth, Sunderland, on 22 May 1887. In August 1903 he joined T.S. Foudroyant in Falmouth as a Boy Trainee until he attested into the Royal Navy in July 1905. Placed on the Reserve in July 1910, he moved to Shepherd’s Bush, London, joining the London Fire Brigade in November, and was serving during the Coronation of King George V the following year. Whilst serving at Euston Fire Station, on 18 March 1913, he suffocated in a sewer in Pembridge Villas, Bayswater, whilst rescuing workmen, one of whom perished, overcome by lethal fumes. After a joint funeral service with the other London Fire Brigade casualty, Fireman Robert Libby, which was held at St. Pancras Church, in the presence of the Mayor and Town Clerk of Kensington, he was buried in Highgate Cemetery, London. His mother subsequently received a Carnegie Hero Fund Trust award in the sum of £26.0.0, payable in instalments of 10/- for a year. Six rescuers were awarded the Royal Humane Society Medal in Bronze.

Sold together with detailed copy research including service papers and photocopy newspaper articles from The Paddington, Kensington & Bayswater Chronicle covering the report of the accident and the subsequent inquest.