An Edwardian S.G.M. Group of Six to Leading Boatman H.O. Welch, H.M. Coast Guard, Late Royal Navy, Sea Gallantry Medal, E.VII.R., silver (Henry Oscar Welch, "Bessie Arnold", 28th December 1908), with case of issue; British War Medal 1914-18 (162859 Lg. Btn., R.N.); Naval Long Service and Good Conduct, E.VII.R. (162859 Boatn., H.M. Coast Guard); Jubilee 1935; unidentified Lifesaving Medal, bronze, the reverse engraved, 'H.O. Welch'; Marine Society, Reward of Merit, silver, the reverse engraved, 'Henry Oscar Welch, 5th June 1902', the first with re-riveted suspension, some contact wear, generally very fine, mounted as worn (6)

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LIFESAVING AWARDS

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An Edwardian S.G.M. Group of Six to Leading Boatman H.O. Welch, H.M. Coast Guard, Late Royal Navy, Sea Gallantry Medal, E.VII.R., silver (Henry Oscar Welch, "Bessie Arnold", 28th December 1908), with case of issue; British War Medal 1914-18 (162859 Lg. Btn., R.N.); Naval Long Service and Good Conduct, E.VII.R. (162859 Boatn., H.M. Coast Guard); Jubilee 1935; unidentified Lifesaving Medal, bronze, the reverse engraved, 'H.O. Welch'; Marine Society, Reward of Merit, silver, the reverse engraved, 'Henry Oscar Welch, 5th June 1902', the first with re-riveted suspension, some contact wear, generally very fine, mounted as worn (6)

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VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

Lot Essay

S.G.M. 'The Schooner Bessie Arnold, of Whitehaven, was stranded nine miles from the Life Saving Apparatus Station at Kildonan (Greenock) on 28.12.1908. A rocket was fired but no-one on board secured the line. A body was seen among the wreckage and Welch at great risk entered the surf and brought it ashore, when life was found to be extinct. The other three crew members were also drowned' (P.R.O. BT 261/5 refers).

Leading Boatman Henry Oscar Welch, S.G.M., was born at Chigwell, Essex in May 1876 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in September 1891. Having attained the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class by early 1903, he transferred to the Coast Guard as a Boatman in March of the following year and was awarded his L.S. and G.C. Medal in July 1909. Finally discharged in July 1919, he appears to have spent most of his time with the Coast Guard in Scotland, including appointments at Portsay, Kildonan, Cape Wrath, Inverness, Invergordon and the 'Fair Isle.'