Life Saving Awards from the Collection of John Wilson

A Royal Humane Society and ‘Fleet’ Medal group of seven awarded to Petty Officer Theodore Joughin, Royal Navy, who was later killed in an accident on 1 March 1915

China 1900, no clasp (A.B., H.M.S. Arethusa); 1914-15 Star (187703 P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (187703 P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (187703 Theodore Joughin, P.O., H.M.S. Pembroke); Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful) (Theodore Joughin, R.N. 24th Oct. 1909) with bronze buckle on ribbon; The ‘Fleet’ Medal, for Merit, reverse inscribed, ‘Presented to Theo. Joughlin (sic) P.O. of H.M.S. Antrim for Bravery, October 24th 1909’, 43mm., bronze, unmounted, very fine and better (7) £650-750

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Life Saving Awards from the Collection of John Wilson.

View
Collection

R.H.S. Bronze Medal (Case No. 37,137) ‘At 10.45 a.m. on the 24th October, 1909, Gerald A. Barnes and George Piggott, able seamen, were washed overboard from the picket boat belonging to H.M.S. “Antrim” during the passage from gunwharf to Spithead. Seeing that Barnes was sinking Lieut. Frederick H. Hallowes jumped overboard into the heavy sea running and just succeeded in getting hold of him. Two lifebuoys were then thrown, but both fell short, and Sub-Lieutenant Robert L. F. Hubbard at once jumped in and took one buoy to Hallowes and Barnes; Theodore Joughin, Petty Officer, also jumped overboard and took the second buoy to Piggott. Frederick Flisher, A.B., then jumped in and assisted Lieut. Hallowes in taking Barnes back to the boat.’

A silver medal was awarded to Lieutenant Hallowes and bronze medals were awarded to the other rescuers.

The Fleet, November 1909:

‘At 10.15 am on Sunday October 23rd, a picket boat containing a number of Officers and four or five men, left harbour for H.M.S. Antrim, which was lying out at Spithead. About halfway to the ship a heavy sea struck the boat and washed overboard two of the crew, Able Seamen Barnes and Pigott, who were at the time sitting on the after cabin, both dressed in oilskins and wearing sea-boots. Commander A.G. Warren, who was the senior officer in the boat, at once took the helm and turned the boat around, steaming at full speed for the men. On approaching them it could be seen that Barnes was in great difficulty and was sinking. Lieut. Hallowes at once dived overboard for him without divesting himself of any clothing. Two lifebuoys were thrown, but fell short owing to the boisterous weather; so Lieut. Hubbard, R.N.R., dived for one and T. Joughin, P.O., dived for the other and swam to the assistance of Pigott. A.B. Fisher also dived in and went to the assistance of Lieut.S. Hallowes and Hubbard.’

Theodore Joughin was born in Birkenhead, Chester on 13 January 1880. He entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 26 February 1896 and was advanced to Boy 1st Class in November 1896. Joughin was promoted to Ordinary Seaman in January 1898 and to Able Seaman in July 1898, both while serving on H.M.S. Jupiter. Serving on H.M.S. Kent, he was advanced to Leading Seaman in April 1904 and to Petty Officer 2nd Class in July 1904. He attained the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class in July 1909 when on H.M.S. Wildfire. He served on the old battleship H.M.S. Cornwallis, November 1914-March 1915. Petty Officer Joughin died on 1 March 1915 - ‘Killed by fall from aloft in collier.’

With copied service paper and other research.