Australian Historical Medals

Lot 454    SESSION 2 (11.30AM TUESDAY 26TH JULY)    Australian Historical Medals

Estimate $750
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $850

ROYAL SHIPWRECK RELIEF & HUMANE SOCIETY OF N.S.W., bronze medal with ribbon and brooch bar, reverse inscribed, 'Stanley H.Melvin/for saving Life/Tathra/N.S.W/26 Dec.1910', in original Hardy Bros Ltd case of issue with the name of the Society gold blocked on lid. Toned extremely fine.

The medal indicates that the award was for saving life at Tathra however the rescue made by Stanley Melvin was in fact at Baulkham Hills.

Citation: Stanley Hubert Melvin. - On December 26, 1910, some boys were fishing in a deep waterhole at Baulkham Hills, when one of them named Arthur Mobbs, aged 9, leant against an old stump, which, giving way, he was thrown into the waterhole. His brother, Eric, aged 15, immediately jumped in, but being unable to swim was also in difficulties. On hearing the cries of another boy who was present, Mr. Melvin at once ran a considerable distance from his house, and, diving in, brought out Eric in an unconscious condition. On animation being restored, Mr. Melvin heard for the first time that Arthur was also in the waterhole. He immediately dived in again and secured the body, but, unfortunately, life was found to be extinct. - Awarded bronze medal and certificate of merit.