Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Port of Plymouth Humane Society, bronze cross, reverse inscribed, ‘Port of Plymouth Humane Society awarded Arthur Matthews for rescuing A. Pengelly, 18 April 1921’, with bronze buckle on ribbon, in case, extremely fine £160-200

Ex D.N.W. 1 December 2010.

RESCUE FROM SEA - Dive to Save Drowning Man at Plymouth - The cries of a drowning man in the sea a few yards from Plymouth pier, early yesterday afternoon, were heard by Percy Rashbrook, Portland Road, Stoke, and Arthur Matthews, Albany Place, who immediately rushed to his assistance. Matthews promptly dived from the rocks, and, with the help of companions brought the unconscious man ashore, he recovered after nearly an hour's artificial respiration had been applied by the officers of the George St. Ambulance Brigade, and a police constable.

At the Homeopathic Hospital it transpired that he was William Alfred Pengelly aged 40, a labourer of Moon St., Plymouth. It is stated that he had been in failing health for some months past’ (Ref: Western Morning News, 19 April 1921).