Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, General Medal, silver (Mr David Irving, Chief Officer, S.S. British Empire “For Conspicuous Gallantry displayed on board that steamer at Antwerp on 17/5/02) with silver buckle on ribbon, in Oldfield, Liverpool case of issue, extremely fine
£300-400

‘Silver General Medal, Binoculars and Vote of Thanks to Mr David Irving, chief officer of the S.S. “British Empire” and Silver General Medal to Mr Clifford Roberts, fourth officer, for going down into the hold of that steamer at Antwerp, on May 17th, 1902, and at great risk to themselves, bring up six men who had been overcome by fumes of noxious gases. Mr Irving, having wrapped a handkerchief round his mouth, tying a rope around himself, and taking another in his hand, descended five times to bring up a man each time. Mr Roberts then took his Chief’s place, and got up the sixth man. All the victims were insensible, and three never recovered consciousness.’ (ref. 63rd Annual Report, 1 July 1902)