Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, Marine Medal, 3rd type, bronze (To James Porter, for Gallant Service. 2/11/34.) with bronze brooch bar in its fitted case of issue, nearly extremely fine £180-£220

James Potter was one of seven crew members from the S.S. Lady Leinster awarded the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society Medal for the rescue of the crew of the yacht Thursday, which was sinking in the Irish Sea: ‘When on the passage from Dublin to Liverpool at 2.57 a.m. on the 2nd November 1934, when about four miles North of Point Lynas, Anglesey, a flare was sighted by the officer of the watch. Working engines as required he approached within hailing distance and found the occupants of the vessel were unable to leave their own boat. The wind at this time was fresh Northerly with a nasty choppy sea, but the launching of the Lady Leinster’s No.1 Lifeboat was safely accomplished and under the command of Mr Gallimore successfully took off the four survivors and transferred them to the Lady Leinster. At this time the Thursday was awash forward and settling rapidly’.

‘Resolved that for the rescue of the crew of the Thursday, an Illuminated Address be presented to Captain John Gill, Commanding the Dublin S.S. “Lady Leinster”, a Silver Medal and Certificate of Thanks be presented to John Gallimore, Chief Officer, in charge of the lifeboat, and Bronze Medals and a Certificate of Thanks each be presented to the following members of the lifeboat’s crew: A.B.’s James Potter (sic), James Finigan, George Popplewell, George McKane, Michael Purcell and Reginald Davis in recognition of gallant service rendered in rescuing the four occupants of the 76 ft. barge-built yacht Thursday, which sprang a leak when five miles off Point Lynas, on 2nd November 1924.’ (Royal Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society Annual Report 1935 refers).