Our From the Archive series delves into the stories of some of the brave past recipients of Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society awards. November marked some significant milestones for the Society with the first-ever award of the Fire Medal in 1883, and a recommendation for a Gold Marine Medal from French royalty.

November 1839
Marine Rescue
A Gold Marine medal was awarded to Captain Symonds of the brig ‘Plumstead’, for his determined perseverance in saving the Captain and crew of the French barque ‘Tropique‘, which he discovered in a disabled state off Cape Horn, in November 1839. When the King of the French heard of the selfless services of Captain Symonds, he personally ensured that a Gold Medal be awarded to him.

4th November 1883
Fire Rescue
A Silver Fire Medal was presented to Mr. William T. Oversby, Assistant Relieving Officer, for having, at considerable risk of suffocation from smoke, rescued a child from being burned to death, on the 4th of November, 1883. The lower portion of the house was on fire, and in all probability the child would have perished but for Mr. Ovesby’s praiseworthy conduct.

6th November 2016
General Rescue
Carolyn Sherlock received a Parchment, for having, without regard for her own safety persuaded a distressed male to come to the safe side of a wall on the walkway over the Greenwich Road, Aintree, Liverpool on 6th November 2016, enabling rescue services to successfully recover him.

13th November 1895
General Rescue
A Silver Medal with a Vote of Thanks and 20 shillings were awarded to Police Constable Thomas Kermode, for a brave and determined effort to rescue Peter George, Second Mate of the barquentine ‘Enterprise,’ who lost his life by suffocation after having rescued a shipmate who had succumbed to the fumes of a charcoal fire burning in one of the ship’s tanks, while in the Prince’s Dock on the 13th of November 1895. The Constable succeeded in getting George out of the tank, but it was unfortunately too late to save his life.

25th November 2004
Marine Rescue
Two Merseyside Police Officers received awards for having, in the full belief that persons were trapped, risked their lives attempting a rescue from a car submerged in cold and difficult seas at the tidal barrier in Leasowe, Wirral on 25th November 2004. A Bronze Marine Medal and Certificate of Thanks were awarded to Constable Paul Lawson, and a Parchment to Constable David J Lowe.

26th November 2010
Fire Rescue
A Bronze Fire Medal and Certificate of Thanks were awarded to Terence Deevey for having, without thought for himself, twice entered a burning house and made his way up the stairs through dense black smoke to rescue a two year old boy from his cot in the back bedroom at Grassington Crescent, Halewood, Liverpool on 26th November 2010.

If you’ve got details of an historical award that you’d like to share, we’d love to hear from you. Email us: secretary@liverpoolshipwreckandhumanesoc.org