Orders, Decorations and Medals

A scarce pair awarded to John Whelan, for the attempted rescue of two men from the sewers at Burgh Quay, Dublin, 1905

Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (unsuccessful) (John Whelan. May 6. 1905); Order of St. John Lifesaving Medal, 2nd type, bronze (Presented to John Whelan, 5th July 1905) this last with slight edge bruising, very fine (2) £500-600

‘On the 6th May 1905, John Fleming, in the course of his employment, went down a sewer at Dublin, when he was overcome by foul gas. Patrick Sheahan, P.C., went down to try and rescue him, but was also overcome. At great risk, Colman, Rochford, Fitzpatrick, Meier, Murphy, Lambert, Stuart, Whelan, O’Hara, Rush, Kelly, Blake and Jennings went down and attempted to save the two men, but were unsuccessful’. (Ref. R.H.S. Case No.33,869).

For their services, the above 13 men, were each awarded the R.H.S. Medal in Bronze. Ten bronze lifesaving medals of the Order of St. John were also awarded. An ‘In Memoriam’ Certificate was presented to the relatives of 10032 Constable Patrick Sheahan, Dublin Metropolitan Police who gave his life in trying to save Fleming. A memorial in Burgh Quay also commemorates the self-sacrifice of the constable and the bravery of the others. Sold with copied research.