Life Saving Awards from the Collection of John Wilson

Order of St.John Lifesaving Medal, 2nd type, bronze (Presented to Police Corpl. George Gilham, 14th July, 1902) mounted as worn, minor edge bruise, very fine £300-350

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

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Ex W. H. Fevyer Collection, 25 September 2008.

‘Bronze Medal awarded for gallant conduct at Orford on 13th July 1901, in stopping a runaway horse and cart. Corporal Gilham was dragged some yards, the wheels of the cart passing over and badly injuring him. His plucky and timely act saved the lives of several children who were playing in the road at the time’. (Extract from Library archives) Note: the date on the medal would be when the medal was presented.

George Gilham was born on 17 August 1868 in Bishopsbourne, near Canterbury, the son of James and Frances Gilham, George Gilham lived at Bossingham Street, Upper Hardres, Canterbury. He worked as a shepherd and then a labourer for Colonel Laurie, MP, at Hardres Court until he was 20. Then, on 10 January 1889 he applied to join the Kent Constabulary, his application being supported by Colonel Laurie and others.

He was appointed to the force on 10 May 1889 (warrant number 228). His first posting was to Ashford on 6 July 1889, then to Challock Lees on 6 August 1891) where he was promoted to Constable 2nd Class, and Westwell on 26 January 1893. Gilham married Sarah Ann Rollings in 1893 in Bridge, Kent, by whom he had at least three children. On 6 July 1896, he was posted to Chilham and was promoted to Constable 1st Class on 21 January 1897 and then to Corporal on 8 June 1900. He was then posted to Otford on 11 June 1900. He was commended on 20 August 1900 for detective work there on a case of theft and again commended on 2 March 1901 for work following a theft of 22 birds. Promoted Sergeant 2nd Class on 26 April 1902, Gilham was posted to Northfleet on 28 April that year. On 30 July 1902 the Constabulary granted him a ‘special merit mark’ for his actions in Otford the previous year. Gilham was commended on 15 April 1906 by Northfleet magistrates for two arrests he had made. He transferred to Chatham on 17 October 1907 and then to Old Brompton on 3 January 1913. George Gilham retired from Kent Constabulary on 22 July 1914 and was granted a pension of £61.5s.9d per annum.

With copied research.