Three: Commissioned Boatman William Wick, H.M. Coast Guard, late Petty Officer, Royal Navy

Crimea 1854-56, no clasp, unnamed; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue, unnamed, plugged and fitted with swivel ring suspension; Tayleur Fund Medal, silver, reverse inscribed, ‘To William Wick, H.M.S. Ajax for Distinguished Gallantry in saving of life at Kingstown 9th Feby. 1861. The Rt. Honble. Lord Talbot de Malahide Chairman’, last with some edge bruising and contact marks, good very fine; others better (3) £500-600

‘In a terrific gale on Feb 9, 1861 several vessels were wrecked at Kingstown Harbour. One of them the Neptune struck on the east pier, and a line was thrown over her from the mortar, but the only man remaining on board was unable to secure it. Captain Boyd and several men belonging to the Ajax assisted the Inspecting Commander of Coastguard in endeavouring to save life, and while attempting to get a line on board Neptune a tremendous wave swept the glacis on which they were standing, and washed them into the sea. Captain Boyd and five of his men were unfortunately drowned’. (Ref: N.A. BT 261/1).

William Wick was born in Windham, Norfolk, on 20 May 1835. He served as an Ordinary Seaman aboard the Spiteful, July 1854-May 1857, for which he was awarded medals for the Crimean War. After service on the Conway, July 1857-January 1858, he served on the Ajax, firstly as an Able Seaman/Leading Seaman, February 1858-November 1861 and then as Coxswain of the Pinnace, November 1861-October 1862. It was during his service on the Ajax that he assisted in the rescue at Kingstown, Dublin (above). Wick attained the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class on the Hecate in April 1878. He served as a Commissioned Boatman in the Coast Guard, August 1878-September 1884, being based at Baldoyle, Co. Dublin.

The rescue at Kingstown, 9 February 1861, was the first occasion for which the Tayleur Fund Medal was awarded; two gold and 22 silver medals were awarded for the incident; see L.S.A.R.S. Journal No. 22, p.4-49, for a full account of the medal and rescue. With copied service papers and a modern photograph of the memorial statue to Captain Boyd of the Neptune.