The December edition of our ‘From the Archive’ series covers awards between 1865 and 2018 and include details of an award to one of the Society’s youngest recipients, an eight year old boy
December 1865
Marine Rescue
A Gold Marine medal was awarded to Mr. R.S. Thompson, Chief Officer of the S.S. City of London of the Inman Line, who commanded a lifeboat manned by six seamen to save the crew of the Ibis off Poor Head, Co. Cork. The crew of the lifeboat were all volunteers. The Committee were highly pleased with the skill and judgement with which Mr. Thompson handled the boat and the gallant daring of himself and the crew.
December 1903
General Rescue
A Silver General Medal and Clasp and £20 were awarded to Police Constable William Quilliam for the gallant rescue of a child, aged six, who was in danger of being run over by a tramcar. The Constable was on duty at the junction of Cazneau Street and Great Nelson Street in Liverpool and was assisting two little girls to cross the tram lines in the busy neighbourhood, when a little boy ran from behind in front of a coming car. Leaving the girls out of danger, the Constable ran to the boy and succeeded in throwing him clear of the rails, but was himself caught by the car, knocked down, and carried some distance before the car could be stopped. On being rescued and taken to the hospital, the Constable was found to have his left leg broken and right thigh dislocated.
December 1911
Fire Rescue
A Silver medal and Vote of Thanks were given to eight year old Charles Henry Abbott for most courageously rescuing his two sisters from burning and attempting to save his great aunt, who was fatally burned at Moss Farm, Walton, on the 11th December 1911.
December 1999
General Rescue
Trevor Dougmore received a Bronze General Medal and Certificate of Thanks for having rescued an injured lorry driver from beneath his damaged trailer which was shedding its load, on the M6 motorway near Sandbach, on the 7th of December 1999. The lorry driver was underneath the trailer of his articulated vehicle on the hard shoulder of the M6 trying to stamp out the fire which was developing in a rear inner tyre when the heat caused an airbag suspension unit to blow up. The driver suffered facial burns and the trailer tilted so that its load began to shift. Dougmore managed to pull the injured driver to safety just before some heavy items fell from the trailer onto the hard shoulder.
December 2010
Fire Rescue
Police Constables Darren Pratt and Sian Philips of Merseyside Police received Bronze Fire Medals and Certificates for having gone into a burning building and woken the residents of the two upstairs flats, having to force entry into one and assist the occupants to safety at Stanley Road, Bootle on 17th December 2010.
December 2018
Marine Rescue
Daniel Madden received a Parchment in recognition for his actions to rescue a distressed female from the River Mersey, at Kings Parade, New Brighton, Wirral on 31st December, 2015. Without thought for his own safety, Mr Madden’s prompt action, in inclement weather conditions, prevented the loss of life. Mr. Madden’s actions were beyond what would have been expected from a member of the public in the circumstances.
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
