The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection

A scarce Edward Medal for Industry in Bronze group of five awarded to Henry Morley Hawkins, for attempting to save life at the Romford Brewery, 8 February 1911

Edward Medal (Industry), E.VII.R. (Henry Morley Hawkins); British War and Victory Medals (58313 Cpl. H. M. Hawkins, K.R. Rif. C.); Defence Medal, unnamed; Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (unsuccessful) (Henry M. Hawkins, 8th Feby. 1911) mounted for display, good very fine (5) £1600-2000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection.

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‘A workman at the Romford Brewery descended a large ale-vat for the purpose of cleaning out the spent hops, and while so engaged was overcome by the carbonic acid gas collected at the bottom. William Moir, a foreman cooper, though a heavily built man, went down through the manhole, which was only 18 inches square, in order to try to bring the man up. He was also overcome by the gas, and was with great difficulty dawn out by a rope. Thereupon Hawkins, a clerk employed at the brewery, volunteered to go to the assistance of the workman, although he had never been accustomed to work in vats. The manhole was enlarged before his descent, and he succeeded in getting a rope round the workman before himself succumbing to the fumes. Both Moir and Hawkins displayed conspicuous courage and presence of mind, although their attempts to save the workman’s life were unavailing.’

For their services, William Moir and Henry Morley Hawkins were each awarded the Edward Medal in Bronze and the Royal Humane Society Medal in Bronze (Case No. 38,094). Just five ‘Industry’ issue Edward Medals in bronze awarded during the reign of King Edward VII.

Hawkins of 5 Como Street, Romford, employed as a Clerk, attested for the Army at Gidea Park on 17 June 1915, aged 36 years. He served with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps in France, 25 October 1917-3 November 1918 and 18 November 1918-27 January 1919. With copied research.