Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An Edward Medal for Industry awarded to Mr. W. C. Simmons, a Porter with the London and South Western Railway Company, for his gallantry in saving the life of a woman, intent on suicide, who had jumped in front of an express train at Bournemouth Railway Station on 20 August 1912

Edward Medal (Industry), G.V.R., 1st issue, with 2nd type reverse, bronze (Walter Charles Simmons) very fine £1,000-£1,400

Dix Noonan Webb, February 2015

E.M. London Gazette 17 December 1912:
‘On the afternoon of Tuesday, 20 August, 1912, as an express passenger train was entering Bournemouth Station, a woman jumped from the platform in front of the engine. The driver promptly applied the brakes and sounded the whistle; but was unable to stop the train until the engine had passed the spot where the woman jumped down. Simmons's attention was attracted by the whistle when the engine was about 12 yards away, and, without an instant's hesitation, he jumped off the platform on to the permanent way, and succeeded in lifting the woman clear of the rails and holding her against another train, which was stationary on an adjoining line, neither of them sustaining injury. There is no doubt whatever that the rescue was effected by Simmons at the risk of his life, and any delay or hesitation would, in all probability have resulted in fatal consequences.’

Walter Charles Simmons was employed by the London and South Western Railway Company as a Porter at Bournemouth Railway Station.