Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Lloyd’s Medal for saving life at sea pair awarded to Able Seaman R. J. Eddys for saving the lives of the crew of the schooner Gwladys on 4 January 1906

Lloyd’s Medal for Saving Life at Sea, 2nd small type, bronze (R. J. Eddys. Gwladys. 4th. January, 1906.) in case of issue; British War Medal 1914-20 (Robert Eddys) traces of brooch mounting to BWM, otherwise about extremely fine (2)
£200-240

Robert J. Eddys, of Bangor, Co. Down, served as an Able Seaman in the Caucasian Steam Shipping Company’s Steamer Balakani, and was awarded the Lloyd’s Medal for saving life at sea in bronze for helping rescue of the crew of the Gwladys. ‘In the month of January 1906 the British Steamer Balakani sighted the Newfoundland Schooner Gwladys flying signals of distress. She was practically derelict, everything on deck having been washed away, with only the masts left standing and the crew lashed to the pumps. A high and confused sea was running at the time, making a clean breach over the schooner. There was no hope of it moderating, and the launching of a boat by the Balakani was attended with considerable danger. A boat, however, was lowered and the crew of five men rescued after a severe struggle. The slightest hitch in the proper management of the boat would have meant a certain loss of the boat and everyone in her.’ (Committee of Lloyd’s minutes, 20 June 1906 refer).

For their great gallantry, Alexander Henry, the 1st Officer, who commanded the lifeboat, received the Lloyd’s Medal for saving life at sea in silver, and Boatswain John Brown and Able Seamen Robert Eddys, John McCready, and A W. Hodgkinson all received the Lloyd’s Medal for saving life at sea in bronze.