The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria

An Order of St. John Life Saving Medal in Bronze group of six awarded to Sergeant A. P. McNally, 7th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, late Northumberland Fusiliers, for his gallantry in attempting to save the life of a six month old child from a burning building at Hornsey, north London, on 19 March 1931

Order of St. John Lifesaving Medal, 2nd type, bronze (Presented to Sgt. Arthur Patrick McNally, 7 Bttn. Midx. Rgt. 1931.) partially corrected; 1914-15 Star (5-1327 Pte. A. McNally. North’d Fus:); British War and Victory Medals (5-1327 Pte. A. McNally. North’d Fus.); Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (4259089 Pte. A. P. Mc.Nally. 5-North’d Fus.) partially officially renamed; Efficiency Medal, G.V.R., Territorial (4259089 Sjt. A. P. McNally. 7-Midd’x R.) polished, nearly very fine or better (6) £500-£700

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria.

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‘At about 9:00 p.m. on 19 March 1931 a fire occurred in the upper storey of No. 25, Nightingale Lane, Hornsey, N8, opposite the parade ground of the 7th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (Territorial Army). Sergeant A. P. McNally, on seeing the flames through the window of the building, scaled a waterpipe and entered the room, where a six month old child was lying in a cot at the far side of the room. He made an effort to reach the cot, and succeeded in dragging it partly across the room, but had to give up the attempt owing to violent flames and heavy smoke. He then made a second attempt and succeeded in pulling the child to the window, but by this time the child was a mass of flames, and it was not possible for Sergeant McNally to pick him up.

As a result of his efforts Sergeant McNally received several cuts and minor burns. He acted with great courage and at great personal risk. The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief desires to record his appreciation of this act of gallantry and directs that it be entered on the N.C.O.’s regimental conduct sheet.’ (The Die Hards, the Regimental Journal of the Middlesex Regiment, May 1931 refers).

Arthur Patrick McNally attested for the Northumberland Fusiliers (Territorial Force), and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 20 April 1915.

Sold with copied newspaper cuttings.