Medals from the collection of the late Mike Leahy

The “Pluck” Medal for Heroism, silver, 32 mm, the reverse scroll inscribed (Sgt. Beisly), hallmarked Birmingham 1897, with ring suspension and ribbon bar inscribed ‘Special Service’, nearly extremely fine and rare £200-300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the collection of the late Mike Leahy.

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Philip Stephen Beisly served in the Royal Engineers and was promoted to Sergeant in June 1888. The circumstances behind this award are not known.

Pluck was first published in 1895 and it’s stated aim was to counteract the influence of the Penny Dreadful, and to be a high class weekly magazine of adventure at home and abroad, recounting the daring deeds of British heroes. It included fictional stories as well as factual articles. Medals were issued from the start of the paper; in issue No. 8 it was announced that the award was to be known as the “Answers - Pluck Award”, and until the issue for No. 24 the medal was similar to that given by Answers (i.e. the first 16 awards). From issue No. 25 onwards the distinctive Pluck medal was used. Approximately 55 awards of this later type are thought to have been awarded