Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Bronze Sea Gallantry Medal pair awarded to Stoker Petty Officer P. J. Farrell, Royal Navy, for his part in the rescue of nine crew members of S.S. Ivy, a Nigerian government yacht, in the Njong River, on 21 October 1914

Sea Gallantry Medal, G.V.R., bronze (Phillip John Farrell “Ivy” 21st October. 1914); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (K.2360. P. J. Farrell, S.P.O. H.M.S. Concord.) slightly polished good fine and better (2) £400-£500

Sea Gallantry Medal (Bronze)
‘For gallantry in saving life when the whaler belonging to the Nigerian Government Yacht “Ivy” capsized when crossing the bar of the Njong River 21.10.1914.’

Phillip John Farrell, a Boatman from Devonport, was born on 15 June 1884. He attested into the Royal Navy on 8 March 1906 transferring for continuous service on 22 February 1909. He served afloat during the Great War in H.M.S. Cumberland and H.M.S. Carysfort, His Sea Gallantry medal was one of nine awarded for the rescue from S.S. Bullah on 21st July 1914:
‘A whaler belonging to the Nigerian Government yacht Ivy, with four officers and nine natives on board, was capsized in the surf on the bar of the Njong River. The lifeboat of the S.S. Fullah was immediately launched and under the command of Commander Cheetham and manned by Lieutenant Clough, Lieutenant Daniel, Odam, Grant, Farrell and Davis, succeeded in rescuing Captain Fuller and eight natives. Before being rescued Captain Fuller had twice been dragged away from the capsized whaler by natives clinging to him but he managed to pull them up to the boat, thus saving their lives. Lieutenant Webb jumped overboard from the Fullah with a line round him and attempted to rescue those in the water but was unable to reach them. Considerable risk was incurred in rendering the services on account of the heavy surf on the bar.’ Additionally entitled to a 1914-15 Star trio, he was advanced Stoker Petty Officer on 1 October 1916 and his L.S.G.C. was traced on 20 April 1921. Shore pensioned on 7 March 1928, he joined the Royal Fleet Reserve the following day and was recalled for service on 20 September 1938 and demobilised the following month on 8 October 1938. He died in Plymouth in 1955.

Sold with copied service papers.