Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Sea Gallantry Medal awarded to Second Hand J. West, Mercantile Marine, for his gallantry in rescuing the crew of the Lizzie Lee in the North Sea on 21 Februry 1905

Sea Gallantry Medal, E.VII.R., small 2nd issue, bronze (John West. Wreck of the “Lizzie Lee” of Goole, on the 21st February 1905) extremely fine £400-£500

John West, the Second Hand of the fishing smack Satanita of Ramsgate, was, along with the Third Hand Edward James Wells, awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal, as well as a gratuity of £2, for manning a boat and rescuing the crew of the schooner Lizzie Lee, of Goole, which was sinking in the North Sea on 21 February 1905. The Belpher News gives the following account:
‘On 21 February the Schooner Lizzie Lee, bound to Fareham, Hampshire, from Rotterdam with a cargo of flint sprang a leak in a gale off the Mass Lightship. The crew worked at the pumps for 30 hours but the water gained on them and when the Satanita approached an observed their signals of distress the water was awash with the deck and the gale had increased in fury. West and Wells nevertheless put out in the small boat and despite the heavy waves which threatened destruction at every moment, succeeded in taking off the five man crew, landing them at Ramsgate.’

The landing at Ramsgate was not without further incident: as the Satanita was entering Ramsgate Harbour with the rescued crew she collided with the west pier and drifted out to sea, being brought in by the Ramsgate tug and lifeboat.

West was presented with his medal by the Mayor of Ramsgate on 21 December 1905. The Master of the Satanita, Mr. William West, was awarded a pair of binocular glasses, and the Fourth Hand, C. A. Plummer, was awarded a gratuity of £2.

For the Sea Gallantry Medal awarded to Edward James Wells for the same rescue, see the following lot.