A fine Collection of Life Saving Awards

A Second World War B.E.M. awarded to Able Seaman Jeremiah Holman of the S.S. Earlston, torpedoed and sunk in Barents Sea, 5 July 1942

British Empire Medal, (Civil) G.V.R. (Jeremiah Holman) with original brooch bar, extremely fine £200-250

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A fine Collection of Life Saving Awards.

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B.E.M. London Gazette 6 October 1942. Awarded to Able Seaman Norman William Folwell, Jeremiah Holman and George Henry Hooper. ‘When his ship was sunk the Second Officer took charge of the navigation of a crowded boat and brought her people to land after seven days. When he himself was prostrate with illness, the handling of the craft was carried on by Able Seamen Folwell, Holman and Hooper. It was largely due to their untiring efforts and example that the lives of the 33 survivors were saved.’

The British steamship Earlston was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine on 5 July 1942 in the Barents Sea on a voyage from Iceland to North Russia. Twenty-three of her crew and three passengers were lost. 2nd Officer David Meredith Lyon Evans was awarded the M.B.E. and three crew members (above) were awarded the B.E.M. for their services and conduct in the days following the sinking. With copied gazette extracts and other research.