Medals from the Collection of Peter and Dee Helmore

A scarce Sea Gallantry Medal group of three awarded to Carpenter’s Mate Robert Wood, S.S. Devonian, who was awarded three life-saving medals for saving life at Boston, Massachusetts, on 2 November 1916

Sea Gallantry Medal, G.V.R., small silver (Robert Wood ‘Devonian’ 2nd November. 1916); Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, Marine Medal, 3rd type, silver (To Robert Wood. S.S. ‘Devonian’. For Gallant Service. 2nd Nov. 1916.) complete with integral top riband buckle; United States of America, Humane Society of Massachusetts, 4th type, by Wyon, London, 39mm, silver, the obverse featuring a shield bearing the arms of the Society, the reverse engraved within a wreath of oak and laurel, ‘To Robert Woods for bravery in saving life. Boston Nov. 2. 1916.’, complete with brooch bar, nearly extremely fine (3) £700-£900

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Peter and Dee Helmore.

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‘While the Devonian was lying at Boston, Mass., U.S.A., six shore carpenters who were working in the hold were overcome by the fumes of hydro-cyanic gas. Mr. Selby was called and he immediately went below to their rescue with a handkerchief tied round his face, and Cain followed him with a wet towel wrapped round his head. Ropes were let down and one man was hauled up. While engaged in securing other men Mr. Selby and Cain became unconscious. In the meantime Wood, provided with a gas helmet, went below and he secured the seven men to ropes let down from the deck and they were hauled up. One man was dead when brought up and subsequently two others died. 2nd November 1916.’
For their gallantry, Chief Officer John James Selby, Carpenter’s Mate Robert Wood, and Lamptrimmer George Cain, all of the SS Devonian of Liverpool were each awarded Silver Sea Gallantry Medals.

Robert Wood was born at St Nicholas, Aberdeen, Scotland on 6 July 1873. He served in the Merchant Navy as a Carpenter and was issued his Identity Certificate No. 349086 from the Scottish Region No. A695514. Whilst serving on the SS Devonian on 2 November 1916 and docked at Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. he, together with his Chief Officer and a Lamptrimmer, attempted to save the lives of six shore carpenters from the SS Devonian’s gas filled hold. In recognition of his gallant service he was awarded the Board of Trade’s Silver Sea Gallantry Medal, which was presented to him by H.M. King George V on 28 March 1917. He was also awarded the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society’s Marine Silver Medal and Certificate in December 1916. The Humane Society of Massachusetts also recognised his bravery by the award of their Silver Medal. For his services in the Great War he additionally received the British War Medal and the Mercantile Marine War Medal.

Note: The Humane Society of Massachusetts was instituted in 1785 and incorporated in 1791, making it one of the oldest life-saving societies in the world.

Sold with copied research.