Orders, Decorations and Medals

Royal National Institute for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck, G.IV.R., silver (Lieut. Nathl. Newnham, R.N. Voted Dec. 17 1840) fitted within a thin silver frame bearing the naming details and loop for ring suspension, with silver brooch bar, some contact marks, very fine £400-500

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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Collection

Ex Cheylesmore Collection 1930; ref. Spink Exhibition 1985, No. 56.

‘13 December 1840: The brigs Mary and Offerton and the schooner Sir John Seale were wrecked in a violent storm near Brighton, Sussex, leaving their crews in grave danger. The four Coastguard officers and their men established communication in the turbulent conditions and waded into the heavy surf to bring ashore all the Masters and crews - 22 men and boys - without loss’ (Ref. Lifeboat Gallantry, by Barry Cox). For their services, Captain Digby Marsh, R.N. was awarded the R.N.I.P.L.S. Medal in gold and Lieutenants Henry Thomas Prior, R.N., Nathaniel Newnham, R.N., and James Pratt, R.N., all of H.M. Coastguard, Brighton, were awarded the Medal in silver.

Nathaniel Newnham entered the Royal Navy in 1807. He received a commission as a Lieutenant in 1815 and served until 1819 in the East Indies. He was employed on the coast blockade in 1824. During 1827-32 he was in charge of the signal station at Kingston Hill. He served in the Coastguard during 1835-41. Sold with some copied research.