Australian Historical Medals

Lot 466    SESSION 2 (11.30AM TUESDAY 26TH JULY)    Australian Historical Medals

Estimate $3,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $2,600

PAIR: King's Police Medal (GVR type 1); Queensland Police Medal for Merit (EVIIR). The first medal inscribed, 'John Carrig, Const. Queensland Pol.' but with the last three words ruled through or attempt to erase, the second medal unnamed. First medal buffed on reverse and some scratches on obverse, otherwise very fine - extremely fine.

Ex Noble Numismatics Sale 74 (lot 3926) and Sale 121 (lot 1664).

KPM: Supplement to LG 1/1/1913, p6.
Recommendation: At great personal risk rescued from drowning in the Brisbane River a man attempting suicide.
(With copy of certificate for award of KPM).

Also awarded the Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal for the same incident. The RHS Annual Report records the award details as follows,
'John Carrigg aged 29 and John James Grayson aged 23 years, Constables of Police, Brisbane, who rescued Lionel Hart from drowning in the Brisbane River on the night of September 20th, 1909. Hart jumped into the river in a demented state, and was drowning. Carrigg stripped, jumped in, swam about 50 yards and reached Hart, who struggled violently. He dragged Hart to a pontoon and with much difficulty got him onto it. He waited for nearly half an hour for assistance, during which time he had several struggles with Hart, in which both were many times thrown off the pontoon. Then Grayson came upon the scene and swam to the pontoon. Hart again resisted violently and all three toppled into the river. They again got Hart onto the pontoon but Grayson had great difficulty in regaining it, as his heavy clothes impeded him. Eventually other assistance arrived and all were taken on shore. The Constables were much exhausted.' Bronze Medal to Carrigg and Certificate of Merit to Grayson.

John Carrigg was born in 1879 at Ennrstymon, Ireland. He was a carpenter by trade. He served in the Straits Settlements Police Force 2 June 1902 to 2 March 1905. He was sworn into the Queensland Police Force on 27 November 1908 at the age of 29. He served at Roma Street Station, Brisbane; Toowong; and Breakfast Creek Station, Brisbane. He retired on 1 January 1924 and died 17 July 1937 at age 58.

With folder of research.