Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

City of Dundee Corporation Bravery Medal (William Phinn), silver, hallmarks for Birmingham 1937, with ‘Gallantry’ 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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The City of Dundee Bravery Medal was instituted in 1937 and was last awarded in 1955. During this period 41 medals were awarded; that to Phinn being the first.

William Phinn, a labourer from Dundee: ‘About 8 p.m., Thursday 6 May 1937, David Dargie, aged 6 years, fell into King William Dock, Dundee Harbour. The water at the time was about 14 feet deep. Phinn, aged 20 years, was at that time aboard H.M. Training Ship Unicorn, and hearing the boy’s cries for help, dived into the dock and caught the boy just as he was disappearing under the surface. He swam with him to the side of the dock and was assisted out of the water.’ (See ‘The Dundee Corporation Medal for Bravery’ by R. J. Scarlett, L.S.A.R.S. Journal 2, p.9 - 21.)