Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea awarded to Commissioned Boatman Charles Sprankling, H.M. Coastguard Station Burton, who was awarded the Albert Medal 2nd Class for the same rescue

Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, bronze (Charles Sprankling, Wreck of a Fishing Boat, near Burton Beach, on June 11th 1866) in (damaged) maroon leather case of issue, lid inscribed in gilt, ‘Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in saving life at sea awarded to Charles Sprankling’, medal good very fine £350-450

Albert Medal 2nd Class London Gazette 28 June 1867.

‘On the 11th June 1866 a fishing-boat containing five men ran for the beach at Burton (Dorset). As she touched it, a heavy sea struck her and threw her upon her crew. Charles Sprankling, who was near by, managed, by great exertion and at some risk, to raise the side of the boat, which was washing backwards and forwards in a heavy surf, and thus freed three of the men.

The other two, who had been injured by the gear in the boat, drifted into deep water: Sprankling swam out and brought both in turn to land, apparently lifeless. He resuscitated them unaided and sent them to their homes.’ (Ref: Gallantry, by Wilson & McEwen).

Charles Sprankling, Commissioned Boatman, Burton Coastguard Station, was awarded the Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea in Bronze together with a gratuity of £5.