Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful), (Wm. O’Brien, Petty Offr., H.M.S. “Ringarooma” 22nd May 1891) with bronze buckle on ribbon, in worn case of issue, edge bruising, very fine £140-180

William O’Brien, Petty Officer 2nd Class aged 29 years, 6 months, saved the life of Boy 1st Class Thomas Isaac, aged 17 years, 4 months. As H.M.S. Ringarooma was steaming at 12 knots off Malta on 22 May 1891, the boy fell off a boat’s davits into the water. A buoy was thrown to him, which he was unable to reach. O’Brien then jumped in and rescued the boy. For this act of lifesaving, O’Brien was awarded the Royal Humane Society Medal in Bronze (R.H.S. Case No. 25,395).

H.M.S. Ringarooma was a Pearl Class cruiser, launched as H.M.S. Psyche on 10 December 1889. She was renamed on 2 April 1890 to form part of the Auxiliary Squadron of the Australia Station. She was on her way to take up this position when the above incident happened off Malta.