Great Britain – Sea Gallantry Medal (Foreign Services)

Description

This medal was awarded 1877, to the brave Swedish Öland-island resident Peter Nilsson, for his courageous efforts saving British sailor lives on 7 November 1876.

This award, which pre-dates the Sea Gallantry Medal, was instituted in 1841 for foreigners who saved live from British vessels, although some early awards were for service on land. It was awarded in both gold and silver, with a small number of bronze awards.

The original medal had a diameter of 1.78 inches (45 mm) and was not intended for wear. In 1854 the size was reduced to 1.3 inches (33 mm) and a suspension bar added, the medal worn on the left breast. The ribbon was plain crimson until 1922, when that of the SGM for British citizens was adopted.

The design of both the large and small medals is the same, with the obverse bearing the effigy of the reigning monarch with a suitable inscription. The reverse has a crowned wreath surrounding the words PRESENTED BY [or FROM] THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT with, around the edge, an inscription indicating the nature of the rescue – for example: saving the life of a British subject or assisting a British vessel in distress. Early issues had a separate reverse die prepared for each medal; a practice dropped from 1849 due to cost. The name of recipient and, in most cases, the place and date of the service rendered is inscribed on the medal’s edge.

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From the award citation:

Ref: The National Archives BT261/4, Rewards given by Her Majesty’s Government

Rotation No 60 M.3035/77

The barque Mary Anne Curry of Sunderland, stranded on Öland Island on 7 November 1876 in a hard gale with sea running heavily. Next day three islanders (P. Nilsson, O. Larsson and A. Larsson) put off in a boat and rescued three of the crew. Another boat with five men (O. Olsson, L.P. Persson, P. Petterson and two others) put off also but capsized and two of the five were drowned. The day after, the rescued seamen put off in a boat with C. Rask as coxswain, and were followed by two boats manned by O. Johnsson, J.P. Johnsson, P. Persson, A. Persson, O. Persson (of Norby) and O. Persson (of Hvalsnäs), and by their united exertions the remainder of the crew of the Mary Anne Curry were safely taken off and got ashore.

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The families of the two men who were drowned C.J. Olsson and L.P. Flunk each received £25 but no medals.