Orders, Decorations and Medals

Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, gilt hollow copy (Mr Oliver Sarony, accident to the Scarborough Life Boat, Novr. 2nd 1861) reverse blank, with ‘stirrup’ style suspension, good very fine £100-140

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Life Saving Awards formed by The Late W.H. Fevyer.

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Ref. Spink Exhibition 1985, No. 101.

‘In a very violent gale from the northward, the schooner Copeland of Shields, bore up for Scarborough for shelter, and failing to make the harbour, was driven on to the rocks immediately behind the Spa Saloon Wall, where she broke up. Her dangerous position having previously been seen, the Life Boat was manned and proceeded to her assistance, but in consequence of the heavy sea running, was unable to make headway, and becoming unmanageable, drifted to leeward, and was dashed against the Spa Wall and completely destroyed. 2 of her crew, John Burton and Thomas Brewster, were washed out of her and drowned; the remainder succeeded in leaping ashore when she beat a second time against the wall. Lord C. Beauclerk, Mr Tindall, and Mr Iles, in gallantly attempting to rescue the crew of the Life Boat perished. Messrs. Sarony, Rutter, Hick, Chiesa, and others, also made most gallant efforts to save life, and in doing so incurred very considerable risk’ (Ref. Board of Trade records).

In Lifeboat Gallantry, the South Shields schooner is named the Coupland, carrying granite from Aberdeen. The R.N.L.I. self-righting life boat is named the Amelia. Sarony and Rutter are recorded as having got a line around Lord Beauclerk in an effort to pull him out of the water.

Oliver Sarony, a Photographic Artist, was awarded the Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Silver and the R.N.L.I. Medal in Silver.