Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A ‘Volturno Disaster’ Sea Gallantry Medal group of nine awarded to Able Seaman W. A. Reed, S.S. Devonian

Sea Gallantry Medal, G.V.R., silver (William Andrew Reed, “Volturno”, 9th October 1913) mounted as worn, in case of issue; British War Medal 1914-20 (WR-325593 A. Cpl., R.E.); Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18 (William A. Reed); Victory Medal 1914-19 (WR-325593 A. Cpl., R.E.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, these unnamed, these six mounted as worn; Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society Marine Medal, 3rd issue, bronze (To Wm. A. Reed, S.S. “Devonian” for Gallant Service 10th Oct. 1913), with bronze buckle on ribbon, in Oldfield, Liverpool case of issue; Life Saving Benevolent Association of New York Medal, bronze, reverse inscribed, ‘W. Reed’, with brooch bar inscribed, ‘October 10, 1913’, in case of issue, generally nearly extremely fine (9) £550-650

William Andrew Reed, an Able Seaman aboard the S.S. Devonian was awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal in Silver on the occasion of the Volturno disaster of 9/10 October 1913. The Volturno, a British steamer, chartered by the Uranium Steamship Co. of Rotterdam, and bound thence to New York, was engulfed by fire in mid-Atlantic during a heavy gale. Of the 657 on board, 521 were saved by a fleet of eleven steamers that sped to her aid. Heavy seas interfered with the launching of boats, but the difficulty was eventually overcome by the use of oil; those who perished were mostly lost in the boats. The hull of the Volturno was eventually found by a Dutch steamer and scuttled as a dangerous derelict.

Numerous awards were made for this famous rescue, including 78 Sea Gallantry Medals in Silver to crew members of the six British vessels. Eighteen Sea Gallantry Medals were awarded to the Devonian. In addition the Board of Trade also awarded 152 silver Sea Gallantry Medals (Foreign Services) to the crews serving on foreign vessels at the rescue.

With some copied research.