Tynemouth Trust Medal, reverse inscribed (name and date engraved) ‘Awarded to Eugene McCormack, 19th July 1909 for Bravery in Saving Life at Sea’, 51mm., silver, with scroll suspension, complete with ornate brooch bar, good very fine £350-450

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A fine Collection of Life Saving Awards.

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Collection

Ex D. J. Denham Collection, Sotheby’s 23 June 1971 and James Spencer Collection, D.N.W. 16 December 2003.

‘For saving John O’Neil from drowning at South Shields in 1909. The 14 year old son of Inspector McCormack of the South Shields Police, Eugene McCormack had been bathing near the Trow Rocks, South Shields, when he heard that 12 year old John O’Neil was in difficulties. He dived in, fully clothed, swam out and grabbed O’Neil, who had by this time gone down twice. He dragged him to the shore, where he was revived by others. He was presented with the Tynemouth Medal Trust Silver Medal.’