Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, bronze (John Kirkpatrick, Wreck of the “Middleton” on the 18th November 1893) in fitted case of issue, extremely fine £220-260

The brig Middleton, 292 tons, of West Hartlepool (W. Ward, Master) ran ashore 21/2 miles off Staithes, North Yorkshire on 18 November 1893. J. Gloyn, J. Kirkpatrick and W. Harper, three coastguard boatmen of Staithes, were each awarded a Board of Trade Medal in bronze for their efforts in saving life. It was subsequently reported that the Captain had been killed, one man washed overboard and seven men saved from the ship.