Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Colour Sergeant J. Burt, Grenadier Guards, who was awarded the Royal Humane Society’s Bronze Medal for saving the life of a boy who had fallen into the Docks in Dublin on 23 July 1874

Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (9067 Cr. Serjt. J. Burt, 3rd. Bn. Grenr. Gds.) impressed naming; Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful) (James Burt Color Sergt. Grend.Guards. 23 July 1874.) last lacking integral riband buckle, minor edge bruising, very fine (2) £300-£400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of David Lloyd.

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R.H.S. Case no. 19,460:
‘At 4:00 p.m. on 23 July 1874 James Macheath, aged 14, fell into 15 feet of water at the Docks at Pigeon House Fort, Dublin. James Burt, a Colour Sergeant in the Grenadier Guards, aged 38, jumped into the water with all clothes on, caught the boy, and swam with him to the shore.’

James Burt was born in Fenny Stratford, Buckinghamshire in 1836 and attested for the Grenadier Guards in London on 18 December 1855. He was promoted Corporal on 14 March 1862, and Sergeant on 13 July 1863. He was discharged on 9 January 1877, after 21 years and 23 days’ service.

Burt subsequently emigrated to Australia, and enlisted into the Adelaide Rifles, serving as Sergeant Major and Military Instructor for seven years. He died on 1 September 1885, and is buried in West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide.