Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Royal Humane Medal in Silver group of three awarded to Boatswain J. McKenzie, Merchant Navy

British War and Mercantile Marine Medals (John McKenzie), in card box of issue; Royal Humane Society, small silver medal (successful) (John McKenzie, 1st February 1894), complete with silver buckle on ribbon, in (damaged) Warrington, London case of issue, extremely fine (3) £300-350

Case 27309: ‘John MacKenzie (sic), Boatswain, S.S. Dorunda; 10 p.m., 1st Feby. 1894, At sea, Lat. 8.15 S, Long. 127.19 E. “The man was seen to jump overboard, he was promptly followed by Mr Webster the 4th Mate as stated in case 27291 - the night very dark. Mackenzie jumped overboard after Webster to effect the rescue or assist in it, but neither men were successful in finding the man who had gone overboard - sharks abound in that part of the ocean”’. The case was presented by a Colonel Povah? who was a passenger and eye-witness.

The citation of the 4th Mate John Webster reads, ‘Mr Webster whilst talking to a passenger saw a man climb the rail and jump overboard - he followed at once without hesitation notwithstanding the shouts - Dont there are sharks about; the night very dark. He swam round the stern of the ship having gone in amidships on the starboard side; after remaining in the water 15 minutes he was taken on board without finding the man’. Both McKenzie and Webster were awarded the R.H.S. Silver Medal. Despite the rescue being unsuccessful, McKenzie was awarded the medal with a ‘successful’ reverse.

Sold with original Board of Trade slip authorising the wear of the British War and Mercantile Marine Medals, and with copied extracts from the R.H.S. Committee Meeting minutes.