Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea and R.V.M. group of three awarded to Lieutenant W. H. Parker, Royal Naval Reserve

Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, bronze (W. H. Parker, Wreck of the “Hebe” on the 24th February 1890), with scroll suspension fitted with a bar inscribed, ‘Colonist’; Royal Victorian Medal, E.VII.R., silver, unnamed; British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieut., R.N.R.) last with correction to unit; together with a mounted set of six miniature dress medals: Royal Victorian Medal, E.VII.R., silver; Transport Medal 1899- 1902, no clasp; 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals; Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., bronze, these all unnamed, good very fine (9) £500-600

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. 104.

W. H. Parker, 3rd Mate of the Colonist, was awarded the Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea in bronze for his services in saving life from the Hebe on 24 February 1890. The Hebe was a schooner of Greenock.

‘Hebe dismasted in a hurricane in North Atlantic Ems sent a lifeboat which capsized drowning one man, then recovered boat and crew and attempted to let former down on wreck but boat was carried away and lost. Crew afterwards rescued by Colonist’s boat in two trips in a heavy sea and gale, much at risk’. (Ref. P.R.O. BT.261.2).

W. H. Parker was awarded the R.V.M. in Silver on 25 September 1909 as Captain of ‘Mr Bibby’s yacht Jason; on the occasion of the King’s visit to Mr Bibby aboard his yacht at Mamore.

W. H. Parker’s name does not appear in the published Transport Medal roll. Sold with a photograph of the recipient on board his last ship, Iolanda; a note from the Privy Purse Office certifying the award of the R.V.M. and a letter on ‘Balmoral Castle’ notepaper which accompanied the R.V.M., these both dated September 1909. Also with a copied photograph of the Jason.