Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, silver (Cornelius Mahoney Wreck of the “Betty” on the 18th November 1893) minor edge bruising, good very fine £350-450

Cornelius Mahoney was a Commissioned Boatman of H.M. Coastguard at Gardenstown (Gamrie), near Banff, Aberdeenshire.

‘The barquentine Betty (373 tons), of Norway, stranded at Gardenstown, Moray Firth. Mahoney swam through the surf to the rescue of the occupant of a boat, and afterward again entered the surf with a line and belt and succeeded in bringing another boat to the shore. His face was badly cut and he was bruised.’