Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, bronze (John Dunn for gallant endeavours to rescue the Crew of “La Capricieuse” Jany. 25th 1858 in Tramore Bay.) good very fine £250-300

John Dunn was a Fisherman from Rhinashark, Tramore Bay, Co. Waterford.

Awarded for ‘rescuing the crew of the brig La Capricieuse, of St Malo, which had been run aground in Tramore Bay, to prevent her from foundering in bad weather. A nasty sea was running, and while coming ashore, the fishermen’s yawl capsized, and the men Fitzgerald and Crotty, and one of the seamen of the La Capricieuse, were drowned.’

Awarded to Robert Aitcheson, H.M. Coastguard Service, ‘for rescuing four of the Rhinashark fishermen and five of the crew of La Capricieuse, after they had been capsized in the fishermen’s yawl ...’ (Ref. The Sea Gallantry Medal, by R. J. Scarlett).

Robert Aitcheson, Chief Boatman, H.M. Coastguard Service, was awarded the Bronze Medal for Gallantry. The four surviving fishermen from Rhineshark: Michael Downey, Edward Kelly, John Kelly and John Dunn, were each awarded the Bronze Medal for Gallantry with a gratuity of £2.