Life Saving, Police and Fire Brigade Medals from the James N Spencer Collection

‘Today’ Gallantry Fund Medal, silver (Samuel Wilkinson, Decr. 15 1894), complete with brooch bar, nearly extremely fine, rare £250-300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Life Saving, Police and Fire Brigade Medals from the James N Spencer Collection.

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‘Two young railway porters, Robinson and Wilkinson, dashed in front of an express train passing through Stockton railway station and at peril of their lives dragged a fainting woman from almost under its wheels. The two men were each presented with a Silver Medal and £1.1.0 by the Marquis of Londonderry. ’ Ref: Today, 20 October 1894, p.338 and 20 December 1894, p.211.

The Gallantry Fund Award was issued by a general interest magazine entitled Today, published from 1893 to 1905. The editor of Today for the period 1893-97 was Jerome K. Jerome, author of Three Men in a Boat and other popular titles. The medal, in silver and in bronze was introduced in 1894. A total of 30 appear to have been awarded. See ‘The Today Gallantry Fund Medal, L.S.A.R.S. Journal 20, 42 - 59.