Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Royal Humane Society Medal pair awarded to Shipwright J. Hogbin, for attempting to save the life of a boatman who drowned off Ramsgate on Easter Sunday, 2 April 1893

Imperial Service Medal, G.V.R. 2nd issue (John Hogbin), in case of issue; Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (unsuccessful), (John Hogbin, 2nd April, 1893), with integral bronze riband buckle, in slightly damaged Warrington, London, case of issue, nearly extremely fine (2) £180-220

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 2003.

R.H.S. Case 26353: ‘Shipwright John Hogbin, at great personal risk, attempted to rescue Thomas Cooper from drowning, at Ramsgate, on 2nd April, 1893.’

‘On Easter Sunday a lamentable occurrence happened at Ramsgate, and resulted in the death by drowning of a young boatman, between 20 and 21 years of age, named Thomas John Cooper. About nine o’clock that morning the deceased and his father put to sea in a small boat for the purpose of meeting and piloting into port a brigantine, the Star of the Ocean, bound to Ramsgate with coals. having fallen in with the vessel, Mr Cooper, sen., was put aboard, and his son proceeded to make his way to the Harbour in the small boat, which carried a large sail. A sudden breeze caused the boat to overturn, and young Cooper was thrown into the water. Being an excellent swimmer, he somewhat unwisely struck out for the shore, although a boat had been launched from the collier, from whose deck the father witnessed the accident. The poor young man had almost reached the Sands, when overcome with cramp, he sank in the water. Meanwhile, from the cliff, a shipwright named John Hogbin had witnessed the sad occurrence. Quick as thought, Hogbin handed a child he was carrying to the care of another man, and rushing down the Marina, he divested himself of portions of his clothing and swam to the rescue. A strong and clever swimmer, he reached the drowning young man and clutched hold of his wearing apparel. By this time cramp had evidently seized Cooper and rendered him helpless. Hogbin, indeed, narrowly escaped with his life, and having found it hopeless to attempt further succour, he reached the shore in a state of great exhaustion. Cooper’s body was subsequently found near where he was seen to disappear. Hogbin’s courageous action won for him the praise of a large number of spectators, and an effort is very properly being made to recognise in a tangible way the very rare valour which he displayed.’ (The Thanet Advertiser, 8 April 1893 refers).

John Hogbin was born in Thanet, Kent, in 1868, and was living in Ramsgate, Kent, when he made his gallant rescue attempt. He was presented with his Royal Humane Society Medal by the Mayor of Ramsgate, when it was recalled that he had previously been instrumental in saving several lives from drowning. He was employed as an Iron Shipwright at H.M. Naval Base, Chatham, and was awarded the Imperial Service Medal upon his retirement in 1919. He died in Edmonton, London, in 1952.

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