Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Medal for the Rescue of the Berthon 1882, silver maltese cross, approx. 45 x 45mm., with oars in the angles, obverse inscribed, ‘The Crew of the Berthon Rescued Nov. 14 1882’; reverse inscribed, ‘J. Kittle’, ring suspension, good very fine, rare £400-500

‘Throughout yesterday a scene of excitement prevailed in the vicinity of Lowestoft Harbour. A tremendous East wind had blown on Monday night and the seas were very heavy and choppy, showing unbroken foam as far as the eye could reach. In the morning several vessels were in difficulty. A barque seen, appeared beyond control. At 8 o’clock she was seen to strike Holm Sand and the lifeboat crew with [Bob] Hook as coxswain quickly mustered. The boat [the Samuel Plimsoll] was in the harbour, and 32 brave beachmen manifested their anxiety to go by jumping into her. That number was too great and seven unwillingly got out. That left 25, being 6 more than the usual compliment. The two large harbour steam tugs were out in the roads, and the small tug in the harbour was not adapted for towing the lifeboat. Captain Massingham, Harbour Master, was the right man in the right place at the right time, and equal to the emergency - sent out the small tug with orders to the Despatch to return immediately. This she did and took out the lifeboat, and their movements were watched closely by hundreds of onlookers. The lifeboat was seen to take the crew off the barque and return towards the harbour, and when she came inside the piers, lusty cheers poured forth. The vessel was the Berthon, of Norway, 296 tons, timber for Sheerness, and a crew of eight. The crew were taken off about 3 hours after she struck and about one and a half hours after the lifeboat left the harbour. She went to pieces 15 minutes after the crew had been taken off. ...’ (Eastern Daily Press, 15 November 1882).

On 22 November 1882, the Rev. T. A. Nash, Rector of Lowestoft, chaired a meeting, attended by the lifeboat crew, Captain Porter, master of the Despatch and Captain Massingham, Harbour Master. The Rev. Nash spoke of the bravery of the lifeboat crew and said that some recognition of it was called for. Donations had been given and collections made in respect of the rescue and with the funds raised medals were produced and issued to Captains Porter and Massingham and to Coxswain Bob Hook and the crew of the lifeboat. ‘J. Kittle’ is listed as one of the lifeboat crew.

With the booklet The Story of Lowestoft Lifeboats, part 2: 1877-1924, by Mitchley, Jones & Keith - this containing an account of the rescue, and photographs of Coxswain Hook, the Samuel Plimsoll and the above medal. With additional typescripts bearing extracts from the Eastern Daily Press and other newspapers re the rescue and awards and two copied photographs.