Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Sea Gallantry Medal group of five awarded to Sergeant L. Crossley, Highland Light Infantry, for services aboard H.M.T. Caronia, 1917

Sea Gallantry Medal, G.V.R., silver (Lee Crossley, H.M.T. “Caronia” May 1917); 1914-15 Star (187 Pte., High. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (187 Cpl., High. L.I.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (187 Sgt., High. L.I.) mounted as worn, very fine and better (5) £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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Ex Edrington Collection 1980.

In the latter part of May 1917, while H.M. Transport Caronia was at sea, travelling from Durban to Tunghi Bay, a series of fires broke out in her bunkers. For over five days the crew endeavoured to extinguish them. The ship’s master was at length obliged to ask for volunteers from the troops who were on board to provide additional assistance. The fires were finally extinguished on 31 May. In attempting to put out the fires, considerable risk was incurred, and the frequent explosions resulted in a number of men seriously injured. Sold with copied extract from the log of the Caronia. Also with a copied photograph of the vessel.