Orders, Decorations and Medals

Ipswich Humane Society Medal, circular, engraved, obv. ‘A Record of an Instance of Distinguished Humanity and Intrepidity’, below which in smaller letters, the manufacturer, ‘Cole, Ipswich Excudit’; rev. inscribed, ‘This Medal is Presented to Mr Geo. Pooley by the Ipswich Humane Society, in Testimony of the sense they entertain of his manly courage & presence of mind displayed on the 24th May 1830 in saving the life of Wm. Page a lad 10 years of age from Drowning by promptly diving into the River Gipping for him; Dykes Alexander President’, 63mm., silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1831, fitted with a loop for neck wear, nearly extremely fine £200-250

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Jack Boddington Collection of Life Saving Medals.

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‘On Monday evening last, while some little boys, about eight in number, were at play in the marshes situate in St. Peter’s Parish in this town, and were attempting to cross the river by passing over the lock gates, one of them named William Page, son of Mr James Page, a pamphlet vendor, residing in St. Matthews, fell into the water, his companions became alarmed and cried loudly for assistance. Providentially Mr George Pooley was walking near the spot at this critical moment, who, on ascertaining the cause of the boys alarm, with great intrepidity dived into the water, and rescued the little sufferer from a watery grave, but not until the lad was nearly exhausted’. (Taken from the Ipswich Journal of 29 May 1830). Sold with copied research.