Medals from the Collection of Peter and Dee Helmore

Three: Mr. G. S. Scobell, Chargeman of Iron Caulkers, H.M. Dockyard, Devonport, who was awarded the Royal Humane Society’s bronze medal in 1910, and was Lord Mayor of Plymouth on the eve of the Second World War

Imperial Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (George Scoble) in card box of issue; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued; Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful) (George S. Scoble. 4th Jany. 1910.) with integral bronze riband buckle, in Elkington, London, case of issue, nearly extremely fine (3) £200-£240

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

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R.H.S. Case no. 37,252: ‘At 6.20pm on 4 January 1910 L Donovan aged 35 threw himself from H.M.S. Collingwood into the dock 36 feet deep and dark at the time. Scoble plunged in and swam with him to the side where he was got out.’

George Sellick Scobell was born in Plymouth on 22 May 1882, the son of Samuel Scoble, a Shipwright at H.M. Dockyard Devonport. Like his father he found employment with the Dockyard as a Boy Labourer on 4 April 1899 and advanced to Hired Skilled Labourer in April 1900. Whilst at work on 4 January 1910 he saved L. Donovan from No. 9 Dock, Devonport and was subsequently awarded the Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal. In the 1911 Census he is recorded as aged 28, an Iron Caulker at H.M. Dockyard. Established as a Skilled Labourer Devonport Dockyard in May 1918, he was appointed Temporary Chargeman Devonport Dockyard on 21 October 1918. In the 1921 Census, and now aged 39, he is shown as Chargeman Iron Caulkers employed at H.M. Dockyard Devonport (South). Appointed Permanent Chargeman Devonport Dockyard on 9 November 1928, he was awarded the 1937 Coronation Medal as Chargeman of Iron Caulkers, Devonport Dockyard.

A prominent City of Plymouth Labour Councillor for 26 years, Scobell was elected Lord Mayor of Plymouth for 1938-39, his Dockyard records for 15 September 1938 being noted that approval had been given that he ‘May be granted such leave without pay as may be necessary to enable him to carry out official duties and arrangements as Lord Mayor of Plymouth’. The 1939 Register records him as residing at Efford Road, Plymouth with possible the unique occupation of ‘Chargeman of Iron Caulkers HM Dockyard (Lord Mayor)’. His year of office was rather overshadowed by the outbreak of the Second World War, but there were happier moments, including the visits of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duchess of Kent, and the Princess Helena Victoria. Retiring from H.M. Dockyard he was superannuated on 26 May 1945 and awarded a Pension £130. 13s. 0d together with Additional Allowance of £391. 19s. 0d. His Imperial Service Medal, Skilled Labourer (Permanent Chargeman) HM Dockyard, Devonport, was announced in the London Gazette of 13 July 1945. He died in Plymouth on 30 December 1963.

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