Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Lawson Medal, obverse: in two lines ‘Lawson Medal’ enclosed by a wreath of grasses tied at the base by a ribbon; reverse engraved, ‘Presented to James Shaw by Peter Lawson & Son, Edinburgh, As a memorial of the courage displayed by him in rescuing two children from the fire that occured on their premises Nov. 20th 1851 and also in testimony of their general approbation of his conduct during the time he has been in their employment’, 38mm., gold, 24g., unmounted, in case of issue (catch missing), nearly extremely fine, rare £180-220

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Life Saving, Police and Fire Brigade Medals from the James N Spencer Collection.

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Collection

Ex Spink 12 March 1996, lot 772.

The medal is recorded in L.S.A.R.S. Journal 2, p.24.

Messrs. P. Lawson & Sons were seedsmen and nurserymen with premises near the George IV Bridge in Edinburgh. In the fire that occured on 20 November 1851, although the main shop area and ground floor were saved by the local fire brigade, the upper floors were severely damaged and the couple with two children who lived in the flat above, owed their lives to James Shaw and others.