Unique Pair of Medals Awarded for Life Saving in 1897

Pair of medals of one Norwegian silver third class Medal for Heroic Deeds and one British Lloyd’s Medal For Saving Life at Sea (bronze), awarded third hand Charles Thurston of the fishing smack «Problem» from Yarmouth, UK. Thurston and his colleague, fourth hand Carl Colson, helped the shipwrecked crew of ten men from the Norwegian barque Dronning Louise (from Tvedestrand, Norway) and 6 men from the British smack Olive (Yarmouth), which were both abandoned in the North Sea 30 November 1897.

The heroic story was documented in various newspapers, and copies from Eastern Evening News, Hendon & Finley Times, Norfolk Chronicle and Exeter Flying Post are included with the medal pair. The bronze medal is engraved with «CHARLES THURSTON «OLIVE» 29th NOV. 1897». Both medals are in a very nice condition, and the lot is unique considering its history and provenance. 79×57 mm.

Protocol no. 5061