Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Liverpool Shipwreck and Royal Humane Society of New Zealand group of four awarded to Able Seaman F. H. Earl, S.S. Indrabarah, for the rescue of two fellow sailors upon the wreck of the ship off the coast of New Zealand in May 1913

British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (Frederick H. Earl); Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, Marine Medal, 3rd type, silver (To F. H. Earl A.B. S.S. “Indrabarah” for Gallant Service. 10th. May 1913.) with integral silver riband buckle; Royal Humane Society of New Zealand, Bronze Medal, the reverse engraved ‘Awarded to Frederick H. Earl in recognition of an Act of Bravery 1914’, with integral bronze riband bar, good very fine (4) £700-£900

Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society 75th Annual Report 1914:
‘A Silver Medal and Certificate of Thanks to F. H. Earl (A.B.), of the S.S. Indrabarah, for gallantly rescuing two seamen on the occasion of the stranding of the vessel on the Manawatu Coast, New Zealand, on May 10th, 1913.’

Royal Humane Society of New Zealand Annual Report 1914:
‘Frederick H. Earl, for attempting to rescue several persons from drowning on the steamer “Indrabarah”, on 13th [sic] May 1913. Frederick Earl, A.B., on the steamer “Indrabarah”, then lying stranded on the Rangitika Beach, on the coast of New Zealand, volunteered with a line attached to his body, to attempt to swim on shore and so establish a life-line for the purpose of the crew on shore should this be necessary. The weather was very stormy, and the attempt was made under very dangerous conditions; the breakers being so heavy prevented him from accomplishing this. He struggled until exhausted and then with great difficulty was rescued by Alfred W. Adcock.’

Frederick Harry Earl was born in Peckham, London, on 18 September 1891, and served as Able Seaman aboard the twin-screw steamship Indrabarah which was launched in 1910 and was engaged in the trade of carrying refrigerated cargoes from Australia and New Zealand to Liverpool. Twice recognised for his gallant service in May 1913, the Shields Daily News of 12 May 1913 confirms the loss of the Indrabarah during a ‘night storm, when a heavy sea was running’ with all crew reported as safe. The Lyttleton Times of 4 July 1913, adds:

‘The Indrabarah. Another attempt to be made. Wanganui, July 3.
It is understood that an attempt will be made to-night to refloat the Indrabarah. So far, the cargo of meat is undisturbed, and will only be jettisoned as a last resort. Everything is in readiness for such an emergency. The tide this morning at Rangitikei was eighteen inches higher than in the last spring tides.’

Sold with copied research.