Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal Society for the Protection of Life from Fire Medal, Award Certificate, parchment document, giving details of the rescue: ‘To: William Hocking Fire Escape Conductor, No 68 the Society’s Silver Medallion for the prompt and intrepid services rendered by him at the fire at 2 Cambridge Place, Kingsland Road. On the 18th of October 1863, when he was instrumental in securing the lives of six persons by means of the Haggerstone Fire Escape. Entering the first floor room, Hocking rescued three persons, viz. Mr Batsford, his wife and son. Assured there were other inmates in the house, the Conductor ascended his Escape and made for the upper rooms, but now the fire had gained great ascendancy. Flames were issuing from the house, rendering any further search a matter of great peril. Nothing daunted, however, the Conductor entered the second floor, hence, after some difficulty, he rescued three females. The safety of the whole of the inmates is entirely attributable to the timely arrival of the Escape, and the gallant manner in which the Conductor discharged his duties (Case 8414).’, the certificate is rolled and contained in a leather cover as issued, this inscribed in gilt, ‘Royal Society for the Protection of Life from Fire 1864’, good condition, scarce £140-180

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Life Saving Awards from the Collection of John Wilson.

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R.S.P.L.F. Case 8,414. Fire Escape Conductor William Hocking was awarded the Society’s Silver Medal (not with lot) and Medal Award Certificate by the Quarterly General Meeting of 30 October 1863.

With copied extracts from the Society’s Annual Reports and Q.G.M. Minute Book.