Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal Humane Society, small, bronze, successful (Wm. Wardell, A.B., H.M.S. Mullet, 10 June 1869) minor edge bruise, good very fine £100-140

William David Wardell was born in Poplar, Middlesex on 24 June 1845. He entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class at Fisgard on 10 January 1860; volunteering for 10 years service.

At 12.20 a.m., on 10 June 1869, whilst stationed off Bermuda, Armourer Robert Cleal, H.M.S. Terror, aged 29 years, fell overboard. Able Seaman William Wardell, H.M.S. Mullet, jumped overboard and held the man above water until a life buoy was thrown to him. Brought in an insensible state on board the Mullet, Cleal was successfully revived. For his actions, Wardell was awarded the R.H.S. Bronze Medal (Case No.18433); the medal presented to him on 1 February 1870. Sold with R.H.S. Case Book extract and copied enlistment papers.