Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare and unusual medal awarded to J. Lewis for the Great Fire at Ilfracombe in 1896 SILVER MEDAL FOR MERIT, the Arms of Ilfracombe, enamelled and superimposed on a shield below the words 'For Merit,' surmounted by a fireman's helmet and two axes; the reverse engraved (at Great Fire, Ilfracombe, J. Lewis, July 29th 1896), hallmarked Birmingham, 1896, with loop and ring for suspension, enamel damaged, otherwise nearly very fine

J. Lewis was second in command of the Fire Brigade at Ilfracombe when the town was consumed by a fire which destroyed more than thirty houses and shops. A visitor to Ilfacombe at the time of the fire collected £20 to be spent on medals for members of the Brigade. They were subsequently awarded in gold to Captain Jewell and in silver to the other thirteen members of the Brigade. Sold with further research.