British Groups

Lot 4003    The J.J.Atkinson Collection    British Groups

Estimate $14,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $19,000

A GEORGE CROSS GROUP OF FOUR TO CHRISTOPHER FEETHAM, Fireman of Steampship Hornsey George Cross; British War Medal 1914-18 (Christopher Feetham); Mercantile Marine War Medal (Christopher Feetham); Messina Earthquake Medal. First award engraved, last medal unnamed and others impressed. Extremely fine.

AM: London Gazette 18 March 1919. 'On the 10th November 1918, while the S.S. HORNSEY was lying at Sunderland, a fire broke out in the mess-room and adjoining saloon. A quantity of ammunition was on board which, had it exploded, would have caused widespread loss of life. The whole of the ship's company behaved admirably in the emergency. The decisive factor, however, in extinguishing the fire was the heroism of Feetham. He volunteered to be let down into the cabin, and there, waist-deep in water, directed his hose on to that part of the fire which would have exploded the ammunition in a very short time. As it was, some of the ammunition cases were already scorched. His courage saved many lives.'

Recommendation for award: 'Christopher Feetham, fireman of the steamship SS Hornsey, of London, is recommended by the President of the Board of Trade for the award of the Albert Medal. On the 10th November last, while the Hornsey was lying at Sunderland, a fire broke out in the mess-room and adjoining saloon. A quantity of ammunition was on board and there was accordingly a great risk, if it exploded, of loss of life and property, as the effects of the explosion would probably not have been confined to the shipping in the harbour but would have spread to the quay. The whole of the ship's company behaved admirably; there was no case of desertion by a single member of the crew, and the Master, Chief Engineer, Steward, Second Mate, and one of the Gunners did exceptionally well in their efforts to get the fire under. The decisive factor, however, in extinguishing it and saving life and property was the heroism of Feetham. He volunteered to be let down into the cabin and there, waist high in water, he was able to direct his hose on to that part of the fire which would have exploded the ammunition in a very short time. As it was, some of the ammunition cases were already scorched. It was at the greatest risk of his own life that, after a long series of attempts in conjunction with other members of the crew at extinguishing the outbreak, he went down alone to make a last effort, which happily was successful, and he undoubtedly saved a very large number of lives by his exceptional courage.'

Together with genealogical research; recipient's birth and death certificates and obituary; photograph of recipient in later life; research from the VC & GC Association; and the Messina Earthquake Medal Roll for SS Ophir. The Albert Medal was exchanged for the George Cross on 30 November 1972.

Christopher Feetham (1891-1976) was born on Christmas Day 1891 at Gateshead, England. He began working early in life as a thirteen year-old at a nut and bolt factory. He went to sea in 1908 and on his first voyage witnessed the Messina earthquake disaster (December 28, Italy). During the war of 1914-18 Feetham was, by his own reckoning, torpedoed twice in separate incidents while serving in the Merchant Navy. The citation above is for gallant exercise of duty carried out as Fireman aboard SS Hornsey on 10 November 1918, the penultimate day of the war.
Some time after the award of his Albert Medal, Feetham wrote to the British government claiming the loss of his medal and requesting a replacement at his own expense. None was forthcoming and Feetham did not possess any material token of his deeds until awarded the George Cross by Elizabeth II in November 1972. This award was part of a general program of replacement of all Albert Medals with the George Cross.

During the war of 1939-1945 Feetham drew upon his naval experience by assisting the construction of 'Mulberry' harbours, used to land supplies at beachheads subsequent to the Allied invasion of Europe. The later years of Feetham's life are marred by reports of bouts with severe depression and many instances of illness. He died four years after the award of his George Cross on 2 October 1976 at Battersea, London.