Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Royal Society for the Protection of Life from Fire Medal and Ally Sloper’s Medal of Valour pair awarded to David Buchanan

Royal Society for the Protection of Life from Fire, 3rd type, silver, reverse inscribed, ‘Presented to David Buchanan for saving life at Edgware Rd., London on the 30th May 1888’, swivel straight bar suspension, with silver buckle on ribbon, in Wyon, London case of issue; ‘Ally Slopers’ Medal of Valour, 36mm., silver, reverse inscribed, ‘Presented to David Buchanan for his courageous conduct on the occasion of the Edgware Road Fire, May 30th 1888’, with ornate silver brooch bar, in case of issue, good very fine and better (2) £600-700

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

View
Collection

Ref. Spink Exhibition 1985, Nos. 156 & 168.

Extract from the satirical magazine Ally Sloper:

‘The “Sloper Medal for Valour” has this day been presented to David Buchanan (Journeyman Painter) for his courageous conduct on the occasion of the Edgware Road fire. The following is a brief account of the occurence: At the time the fire was at its fiercest, David Buchanan placed a ladder against one of the windows, but finding it was too short, he, nothing daunted, managed, with wonderful dexterity, to climb up to the window-sill. Here he put upon his shoulders the body of a girl who had fainted, and by an exertion of extraordinary physical strength, he was enabled to regain the ladder, from whence he brought his precious burden in safety to the ground. “The Sloperies,” June 16th, 1888’.