Orders, Decorations and Medals

Dundee Corporation Bravery Medal, silver, hallmarked Birmingham 1937, the reverse inscribed (Awarded to John Stevenson for Bravery) nearly extremely fine and very rare £250-300

Extract from the Minutes of the Meeting of the Lord Provost’s Committee held at Dundee on 15 June 1939, wherein it was unanimously agreed to award a medal to John Stevenson, Labourer, of Dundee:

‘About 8.15 p.m., Monday, 22nd May 1939, Elizabeth Burnett (6), schoolgirl, was amusing herself on the quay at the north-east corner of King William Dock, Dundee, when she slipped and fell into the water, which was then about 15 feet deep.

John Stevenson (38), Labourer, who was on a raft in the dock, saw the incident and immediately dived into the water, swam a distance of about 40 yards, and caught hold of the girl. He was able to keep her afloat until assisted by George Mitchell (33), boatman, who procured a rowing boat and took the girl and Stevenson ashore.

The girl was taken home little the worse for her immersion. Stevenson was clad in his ordinary work clothes, plus an extra pair of trousers in place of dungarees, at the time. Under these circumstances, together with the fact that he is only a moderate swimmer, there is no doubt but that he performed a very commendable action in going to the aid of the girl, who was in grave danger of being drowned. As a result of Stevenson entering the water, his shirt, semmit and pants, to the value of £1, were completely ruined on account of the water being greasy at that particular place. The Committee also agreed to recommend Stevenson the payment of £1 in respect of the value of clothing destroyed.

The Dundee Corporation Medal for Bravery was first awarded on 13 June 1938, and the last on 29 September 1955. During that period a total of 72 cases were considered with 41 medals being granted. Sold with further details including a copy of an article by R. J. Scarlett which details all awards made by the Dundee Corporation.