Orders, Decorations and Medals

Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful) (George W. Scurr, 1st March 1937) with bronze buckle on ribbon, in Elkington case of issue, claw tightened, scratches by initial, nearly extremely fine £100-140

Able Seaman George William Scurr, aged 27 years, of the Blue Star Line S.S. Ionic Star, saved the life of Benjamin P. Hall, aged 58 years, who fell into the River Tyne at Hebburn, on 1 March 1937. ‘Hall engaged on a stage under the starboard bow of the S.S. Ionic Star, fell in [the] River, 780 feet wide, (was) rescued 120 feet out, 25-27 feet deep. Scurr on an adjacent stage took off his jacket and diving 20 feet into the water seized (and) held him up for 15 mins. until picked up. Hall (later) died’ (R.H.S. Case 53882).

The refrigerated cargo liner Ionic Star was wrecked on Formby Beach in the River Mersey on 17 October 1939. She was en route from Rio de Janeiro and Santos to Liverpool with a cargo of fruit and cotton.

Sold with original medal forwarding slip addressed to The Secretary of the Blue Star Line Ltd., dated 7 May 1937; together with copied R.H.S. extracts.