Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Lloyd’s Medal for Meritorious Services, 2nd type, oval medal, silver (A. G. Tollemache) planchet only, lacking suspension, edge bruising, good very fine £240-£280

‘The S.S. Umona, belonging to the Natal Line of Steamers, stranded on a coral reef in the Maldive Islands on 15 May 1903 during squally south west monsoon weather. The ship was on a voyage from Colombo to Port Natal with ten European passengers and 480 Indian emigrants. The coral reef was just awash at low tide and surrounded two small islands, the nearest being two miles away. The passengers and mails were landed on this island, which was 200 yards square, by the evening of 16 May. An attempt was then made to shift the ship by running the engines full astern, but to no avail.
The Chief Officer, A. W. Bruckland, and the Third Officer, A. G. Tollemache, with two passengers and two of the lascar crew, volunteered to go in the ship’s life-boat to Colombo, which was 400 miles away, for assistance. The boat left on the evening of 16 May and the crew had a very difficult time for the first four days as they were nearly swamped on several occasions, and constant baling was necessary. They arrived in Colombo Harbour on the evening of 25 May. A relief steamer left two days later and all the passengers were subsequently brought to safety. The Umona later broke her back and was abandoned. A Court of Enquiry was held in Colombo, and the Captain and crew were exonerated from all blame.’ (Lloyd’s Medals by Jim Gawler refers).

For their gallant conduct, both the Chief Officer, A. W. Bruckland and the Third Officer, A. G. Tollemache, were awarded the Lloyd’s Medal for Meritorious Service.