Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Able Seaman S. Moon, Royal Navy, later Chief Officer, H.M. Coastguard, who was awarded a Silver Royal Humane Society Medal for two acts of gallantry in 1864

China 1857-60, 1 clasp, Taku Forts 1860 (Samuel Moon. H.M.S. Cambrian.) contemporary engraved naming; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Samuel Moon, Chf. Boatn. H.M. Coast Guard.) impressed naming, minor official correction; Royal Humane Society, large silver medal (successful) (Saml. Moon A.B. H.M.S. Orlando. 26 Jan. 20 Aug. 1864) contact marks and edge bruising to first and last, these nearly very fine, the LS&GC nearly extremely fine (3) £500-£700

‘On 26 January 1864 Midshipman Charles Rooke fell overboard from H.M.S. Orlando in Zante Bay, seriously injuring himself in his fall from aloft, and sank. Able Seaman Samuel Moon immediately jumped overboard to his assistance, dived, and succeeded in bringing him to the surface and afterwards on board ship.
Later that same year, on 20 August, a marine of the same ship jumped overboard in the Bay of Tunis. Samuel Moon again plunged into the sea and rescued him with great difficulty, owing to the darkness of the night and the struggles of the man, who was saved in spite of himself.’ (Acts of Gallantry, vol. 1 refers).

Samuel Moon was born in Devonport on 1 February 1841, the son of a Royal Marine pensioner of the same name, and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 6 March 1855. He was advanced Able Seaman on 25 October 1861, and was promoted Captain of the Mast on 30 November 1868. He transferred to H.M. Coastguard as a Boatman on 6 January 1870, serving mainly in Cornwall, and was promoted Commissioned Boatman on 12 February 1874, and Chief Boatman on 24 June 1880, before being made Chief Officer on 16 December 1884. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 28 April 1884, and was discharged to Pension on 6 October 1885.

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