New Zealand

Lot 1131    Session 4 (4.30pm Tuesday)    New Zealand

Estimate $400
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $300

ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND BRONZE MEDAL, Type 2, with ribbon buckle bar suspension, reverse inscribed, 'Awarded to/Mark Bruce/Thompson/for an act of valour/on 21 November 1981', all this inscription ruled through but still clearly visible. Uncirculated.

Bravery Deed: In the early evening of 21 November 1981 Mark Bruce Thompson went down to the Boat Harbour at Mahanga Beach, Mahia, Hawkes Bay, to do some repairs to his fishing boat. He noticed two men clinging to an upturned aluminium dinghy about 100 metres off shore. Since it was low tide it was impossible to launch a large vessel, so Thompson rowed out to them in a small plywood dinghy. By the time he reached them they were cold and almost exhausted, but he managed to drag them from the water. The combined weight of the three men, together with a strong surf and heavy breakers made it dangerous for Thompson to attempt to return to shore. He therefore waited beyond the breaker line for as long as he could. When darkness began to close in and when the two men began to show signs of hypothermia Thompson had no choice but to try to make for the beach. The small boat was quickly swamped by the heavy waves and the three men were thrown into the water. Thompson concentrated his efforts now on helping the non-swimmer of the two and despite the latter's panicking he was able to bring him to shore. He then tried to locate the second man but was unable to do so, and in fact his body was never found. The weather at the time was cold, with a brisk wind blowing, and the water temperature was low. Thompson displayed a high degree of determination throughout the rescue attempt and undoubtedly saved one life.