Orders, Decorations and Medals

Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful) (Lieut. E. S. Poe, R.N., H.M.S. “Newcastle” 14 May 1875), with Second Award clasp (18 Oct. 1876), reverse of bar inscribed, ‘20047’, mounted as worn, very fine £300-350

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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At 4.07 a.m., on 14 May 1875, in the Atlantic Ocean, lat. 10.15 N, long. 21.39 W., William Duncanson, A.B., fell overboard. Lieutenant E. S. Poe jumped overboard from the hammock nettings, swam to the man, and supported him to a life buoy. Commander J. H. Dacres jumped out of his cabin port, swam to the man, and aided in supporting him to the life buoy. (Ref. R.H.S. Case No. 19,632). Lieutenant Poe was awarded the R.H.S. Medal in bronze; Commander Dacres was awarded a bronze clasp.

At 11 a.m., on 18 October 1876, at Woosung, China, Lewis Sampson, stoker, H.M.S. Immortalite fell into the water. Lieutenant E. S. Poe, H.M.S. Newcastle, jumped overboard, and supported the man until picked up by a boat (Ref. R.H.S. Case No. 20,047). Lieutenant Poe was awarded a bronze clasp to his medal.

Admiral Sir Edmund Samuel Poe, R.N., was born on 11 September 1849. Educated at the Royal Naval Academy, Gosport, he entered the Royal Navy in 1862. He served on the Bombay when destroyed by fire off Montevideo, 1854, and on the Newcastle where he won the R.H.S. Medal and clasp. He was appointed Naval Advisor to the Inspector-General of Fortifications, 1889-90 and was in command of the Training Squadron as Commodore 2nd Class, 1897-1900. He was second in command of the Home Fleet, 1903; in command of the 1st Cruiser Squadron, 1904-05; Commander-in Chief, East Indies, 1905-07; Cape of Good Hope, 1907-08. Appointed A.D.C. to the Queen, 1899 and to the King, 1901; he was First and Principal A.D.C. to the King, 1912-14. He retired from the Navy as an Admiral in September 1914. During his career he had been honoured with the G.C.V.O. in 1912 and K.C.B. in 1908, together with awards from France, Japan and Turkey. Admiral Sir Edmund Poe died on 1 April 1921. A short article on the medal and recipient by Bill Fevyer appears in the L.S.A.R.S.J. No.31, p.37.