Three: Master George Alexander Macfarlane, Royal Navy

Baltic 1854-55 (G. A. Macfarlane, H.M.S. Magicienne) engraved naming; Royal Humane Society, large silver medal (successful) (G. Macfarlane, R.N., Master H.M.S. Isis vit ob serv. d.d. Soc. Reg. Hvm. 29 July 1861), fitted with ring and straight bar suspension, in Warrington, London case of issue; Royal Humane Society, small silver medal (successful) (G. Macfarlane, Master, H.M.S. Isis, 29 July 1861 (Duplicate 1875)) minor contact marks, very fine and better (3) £450-550

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Life Saving Awards formed by The Late W.H. Fevyer.

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Ref. Spink Exhibition No. 10.

‘On the 29th July, 1861, Joseph Campbelton, boatswain’s mate of H.M.S. Isis, accidentally fell overboard into the river at Sierra Leone; the tide was running with great rapidity and the river swarming with sharks, and Campbelton, having on an oilskin coat and leggings, was unable to use any exertion to save himself, and although a boat was manned and alongside, all seemed to have lost their presence of mind; at this crisis Mr Macfarlane, master of H.M.S. Isis, gallantly advanced to the rescue. Ordering some gratings to be thrown into the water, he jumped overboard and swam towards the man, but before he could reach him the man had disappeared; a cry from on board said, “He is just under you,” upon which Mr Macfarlane dived and succeeded in catching hold of the man’s coat, and supported him until a boat arrived to their assistance. This is the eighth life Mr Macfarlane has saved from drowning under similar circumstances’. (Ref. Acts of Gallantry, p.255).

The smaller R.H.S. Medal was introduced in 1867 to facilitate wearing. Recipients of the earlier larger medal could exchange for or otherwise acquire the smaller ‘duplicate’ medal. Sold with copied service details.