Australian Singles

Lot 3815       Australian Singles

Estimate $3,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $5,700

ROYAL SHIPWRECK RELIEF AND HUMANE SOCIETY OF N.S.W., Gold Medal, engraved on reverse ' George Herd for Saving Life at North Steyne, Manly 1 April 1934'. Extremely rare, especially to a recipient of this age. Good Very Fine.

Together with the Royal Shipwreck Relief and Humane Society of N.S.W. Certificate of Merit, dated 13 July 1934; numerous newspaper clippings relating to the rescue (including one with a photograph of the recipient); and a congratulatory letter from the headmaster of his school (Mosman N.S.W.). Extract from Sydney Morning Herald 2 April 1934: SHARK ATTACK. YOUTH TERRIBLY MAULED. DEATH FROM INJURIES. COURAGEOUS RESCUER. Leon Ritson Hermes, 16 a son of Mr. A. E. Hermes, of 56 Lauderdale Avenue, Manly was attacked by a shark while swimming in the surf at North Steyne about lunchtime yesterday, and was so frightfully mauled that he died a few minutes after admission to Manly District Hospital. The nature of his injuries indicated that he had been attacked three times. The flesh was torn from the right leg near the ankle, from above the knee, and from the thigh and hip. He lost so much blood that he was practically unconscious when he reached the shore with the aid of other swimmers. Death was due to loss of blood and shock. This is the fourth shark attack--the second to end fatally--in the metropolitan area this year. The victim of yesterday's tragedy was an outstanding surf swimmer, and was a schoolboy of fine character, with the promise of a brilliant future. NO WARNING The tragedy happened without warning. Hermes was in the breakers about 80 yards from the shore. George Herd, who was about five yards away, suddenly heard a cry, 'Shark'. Almost immediately the water became tinged with blood. Herd, disregarding all thought of danger, went to Hermes' help, and started to bring the injured boy to the shore. Mr. J.A. Horniman, a bank manager on holiday from Mandurama, was on a nearer line of breakers, and when he saw the two youths struggling to the shore he swam out to their aid. Frank Wilkinson, C. Paton (in charge of the beach patrol), and Tom Farrell (beach inspector) also rushed to Hermes' assistance. When Hermes had been dragged into shallow water, an attempt was made to apply a tourniquet. Hermes was then carried to the casualty room, and from there an ambulance hurried him to Manly Hospital. Before it was known that Hermes had died a number of members of the North Steyne Club gathered at the hospital, ready to submit themselves for a blood transfusion, if necessary. EYE-WITNESSES' STORIES. George Herd, of 111 Middle Head Road, Mosman, who so courageously went to Hermes' assistance is 17 years of age. He is a fine physical specimen. Eye witnesses declare that he risked his life to aid Hermes. His own version is more modest. He said he was in the surf with Hermes and several club members. He heard Hermes call out 'Shark', and went to his assistance. 'Hermes was conscious when I reached him, but he said nothing,' Herd said. 'I helped him all I could. Others came to our aid. It was nothing. Anybody would have done what I did.' Mr. Horniman said he was on a line of breakers nearer to the shore. 'I saw a number of surfers scurrying for the shore', he said. 'I looked at the outer line of breakers and saw Herd struggling with a burden. I saw the water stained red. I went out and gave Herd a hand to bring the boy in. Other rescuers came to our assistance. 'When it was over I went to Herd and shook him by the hand. He performed a heroic deed.' MONSTER CLOSE TO SHORE Constable B. Wise, of Broken Hill, who was formerly stationed at Manly, said he saw the shark come close to the shore about a quarter of an hour after Hermes had been taken out of the water. It was about 14 feet long. He ran towards it with a piece of oar, but just as he got near the water a child threw a stone and the shark swam along a channel. He thought it was a grey nurse. Mr. G. Richardson, who frequently fishes along the North Steyne beach, said conditions yesterday were favourable for a shark attack. There were a number of channels leading from the surf to the shore, and it was a cloudy day. An hour after the tragedy a boat was manned and a line taken out, but efforts to catch the monster were unsuccessful. Large crowds gathered on the shore during the afternoon, but the shark was not seen again. The remains of the victim will be privately cremated this morning at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium. There hae been three previous attacks this year--the first at Queensliff, the ssecond at George's River, and the third at Dee Why, in which the victim died from his injuries. SHARKS CAUGHT Mr. A. Jewell, who caught a 12ft 6in tiger shark a fortnight ago, hooked an even bigger shark of the same variety yesterday at North Head. The shark was caught with rod and line after 4« hours fight. Mr Hobson, owner of the Coogee Aquarium baths, caught a 13ft tiger shark in Coogee Bay yesterday. It was put in the aquarium, but died later in the day.