A fine group of four medals awarded to Allan Edward Childs, an Employee of the Southend-on-Sea Corporation, formerly a Serjeant in the Royal Engineers

British War and Victory Medals (258488 A. Sjt., R.E.); Southend-on-Sea Pier & Foreshore Department Life Saving Medal, silver, reverse inscribed (name and date engraved), ‘Awarded to Alan Edward Childs, 21st April 1939 for Saving Life’; Southend-on-Sea Mitchell Cup Medal for an Outstanding Act of Personal Courage, silver-gilt, reverse engraved, ‘To Alan Edward Childs for bravery on 21st April 1939’, nearly extremely fine (4) £600-700

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Life Saving Awards from the Collection of John Wilson.

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‘THRILLING SEA RESCUE. A cheering crowd witnessed a thrilling rescue from Southend Pier on Friday, when a Corporation employee Allan Charles (sic), dived over thirty feet into the sea to the rescue of Mrs Winnie Jeans, aged twenty-nine, of Rampart-street, Shoeburyness, who fell from the pierhead. Two men who rowed out to her assistance picked Mrs Jeans up and conveyed her to land. She was afterwards taken to Southend Municipal Hospital. Upon enquiry at the hospital, on Monday, our representative was informed that Mrs Jeans was “comfortable” and progressing favourably.’ (Extract from the Southend Timers and Recorder, Wednesday, 26 April 1939).

With photocopied newspaper extract, copied m.i.c. and medal roll extract. Also with the booklet, The War Story of Southend Pier, by A. P. Herbert.