Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, E.VII.R., large, bronze (Albert Erikson “Vanduara” 25th June 1902.) edge bruising, therefore nearly very fine and scarce £300-£400

Albert Erikson, a Seaman of the sailing ship Vanduara, of Swansea, was one of five members of the crew who manned a lifeboat and, at considerable risk, attempted to rescue a shipmate who had fallen overboard on 25 June 1902.

Five Board of Trade Medals for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea were awarded for this action- a silver medal to Mate Hunter Gray, and bronze medals to four seamen. Erikson was presented with his medal at Auckland, and it is noted that a duplicate medal was later issued to him- presumably this was the small bronze medal, designed for wear, to which recipients of the large awards made during the reign of Edward VII were entitled to exchange.

Only 23 E.VII.R. large bronze medals were awarded prior to the small medal being instituted in 1904.