Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Inspector W. H. Lobley, Liverpool Fire Brigade

Society for the Protection of Life from Fire, 5th type, silver (William Henry Lobley, Liverpool. 12-9-34.) complete with silver ribbon buckle in John Pinches case of issue; Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, bronze medal (1931. Sgt. William Lobley (Liverpool Fire Brigade)) complete with ‘For Humanity’ ribbon brooch in its case of issue; Liverpool City Police Good Service Medal, bronze (Inspector William Henry Lobley. Presented by Watch Committee. 12th Aug: 1939) with ribbon brooch in case of issue, good very fine (3) £300-£400

S.P.L.F. Case No. 16933. ‘12 September 1934. Rescues at 55 Wilbraham Street, Liverpool. Thirteen people were saved from a house on fire in Wilbraham Street, off Great Homer Street, Liverpool. The house was a three storey dwelling with eight rooms, comprising two cellar kitchens, two parlours, and four bedrooms. One of the inmates Mr J. Murphy rescued his wife and three of his children, by dropping them from the first floor into a blanket held by neighbours. Both the Fire and Salvage Brigades arrived, and an escape was quickly placed in position while Sergeant Lobley and Fireman Mullen dashed into the house. They fought their way upstairs and, groping around in the smoke filled back bedroom brought three children out. The children were unconscious and were taken into a neighbour’s house for first aid attention... The fire itself was extinguished in a very short time, but its ferocity was such that it must have been smouldering all night.

The rescue was brought to the notice of the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire, and they presented silver medals to Lobley and Mullen. A further four bronze medals were presented to three policemen and a salvage officer.

William Henry Lobley was a postman before joining the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner and serving in the First World War. Upon his discharge he joined the Liverpool Fire Brigade as Fireman 121H. He was awarded the R.S.P.C.A. bronze medal for gallantry, when he and others rescued a number of goats from a stable on fire at No. 61 Virgil Street on the 10th November 1931. He was promoted Sergeant in 1930, and was made an Inspector in 1936. He later went on to serve as a Senior Company Officer in the National Fire Service. Pensioned in 1 April 1948, he died on 3 August 1951.